Covid19 Interview - Eric Hibit

Exercise and a grateful heart fuel art making.

Step into the studio of New York based artist Eric Hibit to read his thoughts on making art during confinement. Eric is a multi-disciplinary artist working in acrylic painting, drawing, ink painting, sculptural painting, sculpture, and murals. His work takes inspiration from Matisse’s pursuit of visual pleasure of color, pattern, and decoration. This post is part of a series of interviews with former Artists in Residence at Green Olive Arts asking how this season of social distancing and postponed cultural mobility has impacted them.

Green Olive Arts AiR Interview with Eric Hibit

Eric, how have you had to flex or pivot your art practice in this unprecedented season of home confinement? What are you currently working on in your studio at home?

I’m very fortunate to have a live/work space. My studio is at home. I’ve been able to continue my work without interruption due to access. Recent works include ink paintings spring flowers and acrylic paintings of a parrot, and a painting of a prism hanging in a window.

Recent works in Eric’s home studio

Prism in the Window, 2020, acrylic on panel, 24 x 20″

What does creative community and/or social sanity look like for you right now? How are you staying connected and grounded?

My teaching practice has shifted to online. I’m still able to keep those routines and relationships in place (somewhat). I recently did an online color theory workshop through The Cooper Union, covering the color theories of Albers and Itten! I was amazed at how well color theory translates to the online format. I’ve also found that drawing works well in the online format. I’m grateful for the technology to stay connect to students! Friends and family, too.

My physical exercise of choice is running. I’m close to an industrial area without much pedestrian traffic, so I’m able to keep it up! Maintaining my running practice has helped me stay calm these days.

Bowl of Bananas, 2020, acrylic on panel, 36 x 30″

What insights about creativity in a time of crisis can you share with other artists? What have you been learning?

First, I want to acknowledge the devastation that so many have suffered. I have not lost a loved one, I am still employed, my food and housing are secure, and I am healthy. In other words: I’m very fortunate. I live in the borough of Queens, which has the most cases in NYC.

Immigrant communities have been hit especially hard. I am heartbroken by the suffering in my immediate community and beyond. It has been hard to reconcile the terrible realities of COVID-19 with my private reality. I’m not sure how to make sense of this.

I’m grateful to have time to reflect. Re-reading old journals and reviewing studio inventory has taught me how much I’ve grown as an artist over the past 10 years. Studying recent work has made me realize how much I want to continue to develop.