Visiting Artist Phoebe Washburn Offers Insights to Students
Visiting artist Phoebe Washburn, who has been called “one of the country’s most closely watched young artists,” met one on one with senior art students this week to discuss their thesis works, which will be the subject of a show in Founders Hall Gallery and Commons April 20-May 5. The daughter of Parker ’69 and Arthur ’69 Washburn, Phoebe uses discarded and recycled materials such as wood from pallets, cardboard boxes and newspaper to create monumental installations. Her works have been exhibited by museums including Deutsche Guggenheim and the Whitney.
She also gave a public lecture during her campus visit. “There’s no substitute for work,” she advised aspiring artists in her audience. The best work often results from pushing yourself into unfamiliar territory, she added. “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
About the photo: Erick Armbrust ’12 talks about his sculptures with Phoebe Washburn in his Hildebrandt studio.
