INTERCONNECTED BY SOPHY TUTTLE

OCTOBER 2020

In October of 2020, we had the pleasure of working with Boston-based artist, Sophy Tuttle, to transform the facade of the old New England Deposit Library at 135 Western Avenue, contributing to Walls on Western, a mural-focused public art program of Zone 3 intended to highlight Boston area artists with a connection to the Allston and Brighton area. Sophy’s nature-focused mural takes up over 3,000 sq ft, making the 7th mural in the series the largest one yet.

ARTiST STATEMENT

“Interconnected” is a joyful reminder that we—humans, hummingbirds, succulents, butterflies and all of our fellow creatures—are all deeply dependent on each other. It is painted on a building erected at the turn of the century to house the New England Deposit Library, which once held the overflow of research materials from both Harvard and other research collections around the region. 

When I was tasked to come up with a design to adorn this monolithic building, I thought about how I could honor the history of the structure while also reflecting the current time. Its proximity to Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences made me reflect on the biotech industry here in Boston, and what seemingly miraculous new technologies we have discovered from studying the biomechanics of animals or the chemical compounds in plants. Some of our greatest advancements as Homo sapiens have been influenced by, or entirely dependent on, our interactions with other species.

The design once again recalls the original use of the building, combined with my own memories of learning the basics of biology in school. The circular vignettes connected to each other and the lines that stretch beyond the bounds of the canvas are influenced by the illustrations of food webs I saw in my textbooks in middle and high school. I remember thinking how beautiful and practical it was that each organism occupied a niche in its environment. This was followed immediately by the thought—do I exist in a food web? I’ve spent the better part of my career trying to answer this question in one way or another and “Interconnected” is another dive into that exploration. 

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Sophy Tuttle is a visual artist born in Colchester, England and currently residing in Lowell, Massachusetts. She received her BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design in 2008 and is currently working on an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art from the University of Hartford Art School. Influenced by artists such as Walton Ford, Mark Dion, and Alexis Rockman, Sophy uses visual storytelling to reimagine the future, re-situate our position in the web of life, and create new narratives that explore regenerative, resilient culture-building among all forms of life. Learn more about the artist at SophyTuttle.com or visit her instagram @sophytuttle.

All photos © Drew Katz, Graffito. Do not reproduce. 

Q&A WITH THE ARTIST

Tell us a little about your background and training?

My grandmother was a botanical painter and I grew up surrounded by her work. I went to Rhode Island School of Design for Illustration and then got a Certificate in Graphic Design from the School of the MFA, Boston a few years later. Recently, I got an MFA in Interdisciplinary Art from the Hartford Art School.

How did you get started doing murals?

I did an artist residency in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2014. I befriended some artists there and one of them took me out to some abandoned buildings to paint. No one minded we were there, in fact people passing by complimented our work. I was hooked after that and came home to seek out mural opportunities here in the Boston area. It’s been a long journey but mural painting feels right in a way that commercial illustration never did for me.

What influences your work? 

My work is very much influenced by the natural world. I have a studio filled with plants and I try to get out into nature whenever possible. I’m also influenced by the news I hear about legislation around the environment, as well as activists who fight for environmental and social justice.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

I have so many favorite artists, but since I saw it in the street of Oaxaca, I’ve been really into the work of street artist Swoon. I love not only the aesthetic qualities of her work but the thought and ideas she puts into every piece. I’m also influenced by a wide range of artists including Walton Ford, Mark Dion, Frida Khalo, Zoe Keller, and James Prosek. I love any kind of old botanical or scientific illustration, especially the ones that come from memory or hearsay and depict exaggerated or mythical creatures. 

What is the process that goes into your illustrations?

I like to begin by researching my subject matter, either in my library or by speaking to someone who is an expert on the subject. I do many thumbnail sketches to get the composition right, and sometimes I’ll do some Photoshop mock up’s as well. After I have my overall composition drawn out, I’ll trace it out onto a piece of Bristol board and then ink the drawing. I don’t draw digitally because I still love the feeling of the pen on board and having the drawing in real space.

What do you do when you hit a creative roadblock?

I didn’t realize I had so many coping mechanisms for roadblocks until I did a working day in quarantine with my partner. I spend a lot of time thinking through a problem before I put pen to paper, which from the outside looks like me cleaning, cooking, and laying on the couch staring into space instead of working. I guess it’s not the most efficient process, but as I get older I realise the creative process is rarely efficient and I just need to take that time to familiarize myself with the problem before I tackle it.

What’s something that you learned about yourself during COVID-19?

I think I just inadvertently answered this one above! One other thing I’ve learned is that I’m not as much of an introvert as I thought I was. I don’t mind being alone, but I really missed having face to face interactions with my friends after about a month of being isolated.

Where else can people find your work?

I have a few other murals in Boston: one on the Esplanade, one on the Greenway in East Boston, one in Downtown Crossing, and one at the Gallivan Community Center in Mattapan. I also have accessible work in Medford, Arlington, Fitchburg, Gloucester, and Lowell. Outside of Massachusetts, I’ve painted in Miami, Florida, Oaxaca, Mexico and Cali, Colombia. The best place to see everything without leaving your home is at my website.

What time of day do you do your best work?

Depends on the work. When I’m not working on-site on a wall, I have a nice daily rhythm of answering emails and doing computer work in the morning and then transitioning into studio work later in the afternoon and working into the evening. 

What kind of projects would you like to do more of?

I love projects where I get to work with an expert like an ecologist, biologist, or other researcher to convey the message of their work to the general public. Anything that promotes awareness around biodiversity loss, extinction, climate change, or environmental/social justice is a dream project for me. I also really love work that engages the public and gets better and more meaningful the more others participate.

3 things on your fall bucket list?

 Finding some good apple cider doughnuts, hiking as much as I can, and finishing this mural =)

Reading anything good these days?

I’m reading a few things – My dense read is a book called “Fellow Creatures” which is a philosophical argument for our obligations to other animals. When I can’t handle that anymore, I pick up a loaned copy of “Nausicaa”, the beautiful story by Hayao Miyazaki.

One person you’d love to invite to dinner (dead or alive)?

I would honestly love to sit down and have a chat with Swoon. We have a few mutual friends… maybe I should make that a 2021 mission!

Favorite movie?

The Iron Giant. Just rewatched it and it holds up.

Favorite color?

Orange

Favorite soundtrack?

I had a well-worn copy of the Lion King soundtrack growing up. That’s the last time I can remember specifically owning a soundtrack.

Favorite ice cream flavor?

Anything with caramel and/or cookie dough

Dogs or cats?

Both! I grew up with cats and love them dearly, but I absolutely love it when I’m working in a place where I get to cuddle all the dogs who walk by!