Rebecca Harper

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How long have you had a studio at APT?


Which female artists inspired you growing up?
The backdrop for me was early on in college is where I first started to really find out about female artists, In 2006 I was looking at the likes of Sophie Calle, Kara Walker, Cindy Sherman, Tracy Emin and Louise Bourgeois.  

With Sophie Calle I was struck by her vulnerability in the work that as she examined identity and intimacy. She played an investigative voyeur and there seemed to be this unveiling of her character as much as the portrait one who is scrutinised, examined, and followed. She blurs the boundaries between the public and the private reality and fiction, art and life, all of which are areas to this day I am interested in within my own practice. I was interested in Bourgeois particularly as she explored ideas of ‘repairing the damage’ of themes of identity, sexuality, trauma and memory. All were teasing apart their identity’s and spilling their vulnerabilities and strengths.  

What is the most important piece of advice you have been given?
”Through the challenges is where the answers are presented!”
”Be authentic in your practice!”
”Don't ever compare yourself to others, just compare yourself in relation to what you achieved yesterday!”  
”Don't give up, make work even if you don't feel like it!” 
”It’s okay to take a break too!  In fact often it enhances the work being in the world again!” 

Why did you choose this piece of work today?
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