Corey Wash
⤏ IN CONVERSATION WITH KANYA IWANA
⤏ PHOTOS BY JESSE RIGGINS | STYLING BY JESSE RIGGINS
⤏ ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 2019
There is no question that Corey Washington has bold creativity. The distinct, satirical voice in her artwork has caught the attention of many. I was very interested in, not just her final works, but her process and ethos. Corey and I talked — mom-to-mom, artist-to-artist — about her thoughts on some deep sh*t: art vs. digital consumerism, how art may actually be disposable, and evolving into the best version of yourself.
KANYA: I don’t usually like telling people what I do, especially living in Los Angeles. I feel like there is this social pressure to immediately tell someone what it is you’re doing here. So instead, tell us what you are passionate about.
COREY: I’m passionate about family, creating art, community, and acting out of love.
K: You have a very distinct voice in your art. What was your process in finding that voice? How long did it take you? Was there trial and error?
C: It took about three years, from the time I decided that visual art was one of my passions, for me to find my voice in art. There were and definitely still are trials and errors, I’m constantly finding my voice.
K: In the age of excessive digital media consumption, how do you catch momentum of consumer needs, yet keep your individualistic voice?
C: I always do what feels right to me. If I’m not creating from that perspective then I won’t make anything at all.
K: How has social media affected your process?
C: Social media has made sharing my work with the world more accessible. I don’t rely on it because it could be gone in the blink of an eye. I’d rather people experience my art in person. But I do understand the times we’re in and I get that people can still be inspired by something they see online.
K: How do you fight the qualm that art is “disposable”? Do you feel like it is our responsibility to make art that lasts, or do you feel like creativity is abundant?
C: I don’t fight it at all. Art is what we make it. Some things can be disposed, some things can last for centuries. I don’t create with the intention of it to last, I create with the intention of it to have meaning, to tell a story. Creativity is abundant.
K: Do you feel the need to explain your work?
C: I don’t like explaining my work to people, I feel as though the viewer is supposed to interpret it however they see it, and take that with them. Even in interviews such as these. I try to be vague with what I’m trying to say with my work, but I am, at the same time, talkative. So sometimes you can get a bit more out of me.
K: In general, when you are modeling, you are often supporting someone else’s narrative. Do you feel this way, or do you find a deeper meaning in it?
“I don’t create with the intention of it to last.”
C: Modeling is definitely bringing someone else’s ideas to life, simple as that. Sometimes I may be able to suggest or give input, but majority of the time I let the person in charge take direction.
K: What’s the biggest, toughest lesson you’ve learned as an artist?
C: So far (because I’m still learning) one of my biggest lessons has been to make mistakes, and make as many as you can as early as you can. So much of my efforts used to be focused on getting everything right, and that ended up holding me back.
K: When you draw, what is your process like? How about your mental process?
C: I can’t really tell you my process, but I can say that I try to clear — or rather — organize my mind before I begin.
K: When you feel really down, how do you get out of your funk?
C: Music, cartoons, talking to the people I love.
K: Now switching gears to motherhood! You are expecting! How has pregnancy affected your drive?
C: To be honest I’ve always had a drive to evolve into my best self, motherhood has just boosted that times ten. When you know you have a child on the way you just want to prepare as best as you can.
K: For whatever reason, when I was pregnant, I had to take a break from creating. I took about 9 months off of songwriting, and my photography business hadn’t even existed then. It felt like I was hibernating. Did you go through something like this? What was your experience with your art in correlation to, um, creating a whole child inside of you?
C: I’ve had to find a balance between making art, working hard on bringing ideas to life, and taking it easy. I’m always pushing myself past my limits when it comes to work and art and I had to take a step back and realize that I couldn’t go as hard as I used to while I’m carrying this life. Luckily, I have people around me that have no issue telling me when I need to sit my ass down.
K: What are you most excited about in becoming an art mama?
C: I’m just excited about the fact that I created a life. And I get to guide him throughout his journey alongside the love of my life.
⤏ BUY THE PRINT EDITION OF JR HI THE MAGAZINE | ISSUE 006 HERE.
⤏ KANYA IWANA (SHE/HER) IS AN INDONESIAN-AMERICAN ARTIST. KANYA IS THE OWNER OF KI STUDIO, A CREATIVE PRODUCTION HOUSE. HER MEDIUMS INCLUDE PHOTOGRAPHY, DIRECTING, MUSIC, AND SCREENWRITING. SHE HAS WATCHED THE OFFICE ABOUT 15 TIMES, LOVES CUDDLE SESSIONS WITH HER TODDLER MILO, AND PUTS TOO MUCH TABASCO IN HER BLOODY MARIAS.