I Photographed an Artist Living in her Tribeca Loft Since 1974
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- Опубликовано: 30 май 2024
- Buy the book: www.damianibooks.com/en/produ...
Contact me: joshuacharow@gmail.com
To inquire about purchasing a print, please contact: info@westwoodgallery.com
I spent the past two years creating my first photography book titled 'Loft Law. The Last of New York City's Original Artist Lofts' about artists living under the protection of the Loft Law. The law, enacted in 1982, granted protection and rent stabilization to thousands of artists who were living illegally in commercial and manufacturing zoned lofts in neighborhoods like Soho, Tribeca, and the Bowery after the manufacturing industry predominantly left Manhattan. I photographed and interviewed over 75 artists who are still living in these incredible lofts to this day. The photographs explore some of the most unique beautiful, and hidden artist studios across New York City. The book includes writing and personal stories from the incredible group of artists featured in the book.
Claire Fergusson is a multi-disciplinary artist that has lived in her Tribeca loft for the past 50 years. Her work is in the MoMa Archive. For interest in purchase of Claire Fergusson's artwork, email: artistuno@gmail.com
To see Claire's upcoming show:
~ Vera & Claire ~
June 14, 15, 16 ~ noon to 4 pm
Collage Art
939 8th Ave (Studio 606) NYC
~ tel. 212 586 1814 ~
Video Directed by Joshua Charow
Cinematography by Daniel Chang
Edit by Abraham C. Howard
Subscribe for more videos coming soon!
Follow me on Instagram: / joshuacharow
There is no separation between her art and her life. What a beautiful, intelligent, special woman. Thank you for capturing these rare, inspirational lives.❤️
Indeed..
I've been a painter for more than 30 yrs in the San Francisco Bay Area. I had a large NYC style loft/warehouse for 12 + years. It was very expensive and like a second home, actually it was larger than my house in Menlo Park, which is on the Peninsula south of SF. It had everything but a shower. Fabulous dinners with friends and lots of parties. It got sold so I had to move out and back into my medium size studio at my house. I have great memories of The Studio Years.
Inspiring--and charming! One can see from the way she is that, in spite of her difficult childhood, she has retained her spontaneity, and with that, her charm.
I hear you. Our group artist studios got sold too. I’m now renting an office space. It doesn’t make me want to go in.
This person is confident 💜
You know, these may be the last views of the artists process and studio itself since digital is on the scene and changing everything. What a wonderful project you have undertaken. This woman is divine and certainly has lived the artist life.
I completely agree! While I can appreciate digital art I fear it will someday overcome the human, heart & soul, hands on art that I so love.
Since A.I. is on the scene and changing everything!
nah ---there are swaths of us kids of the digital age that are drawn to 'analog'/hands on processes bc of the over digitization of everything (see: the popularity of 35mm film/other modes of physical artmaking during the pandemic).
heterogeneity always exists, and artists are always gonna art; in my eyes its human nature.
do not despair my friends (:
And now she's immortal here. Well done.
I came here in 1971 an aspiring jazz musician...for us, finding a place where we could play and practice was paramount. My first loft was 76 Jefferson St lower East Side between the bridges. It was at that time a famous building because of it's occupants...it was dilapidated, water froze in the toilet in the winter, you could see the street where your floor and support walls met...we played with big bands, rock bands, small groups till dawn. They condemned that building a few years later....we then went to Chelsea, a factory at the ground floor during the day, upper three floors belong to a writer who loved musicians...we took over every floor and built a studio in the rear, 14 foot ceilings with egg crates stabled to the walls for sound. Got booted from there when she sold the building...took a 3500 sq ft loft on Bowery and Grand above a lighting store. Three large sky lights, huge gas heaters hanging from the ceiling...played all night slept all day. Then around 1978 the landlords realized what they had...the era of the AIR days were all but over...
New York had character then..now it's Disneyland.
TRUTH! And I know the store because my mother got all the light fixtures for the house they bought in Jersey from that store. We lived at 86 E 4th on the corner of 2nd ave. I was angry for decades that they moved me, especially when the Lowes theater became *Filmore East!*
Pam {Tom's wife}
I had to leave NY just to have breathing space. I used to have a big factory space in Seattle then that got torn down to build a skyscraper.
Now I’m hoping for a barn out in the desert.
You got to live the NYC dream. Unfortunately it's now a nightmare unless you're a Finance Bro or Trustafarian who'll happily pay 6 grand a month to rent a studio in Bushwick. 😐
Thank you for this detailed memory those were fun times. Creativeness is medicine for the soul.
Il cosiddetto progresso è anche ciò che distrugge tutto, per interesse, si capisce.
What a worthwhile New Yorker this lady is. A depiction of real NYC back in the day. So healthy, so rich in spirit and so vibrant in life, compared to what a shitty little disaster it is now. Oi! Where's my latte!?
who tf says "oi" in NY bro? 🤣
@@Ulexcool 😉
@@Ulexcool "oy vey" is what they say there bro
Enjoyable tribute to Claire as well as a glimpse of one of the NYC lofts of our times.
Thank you!
You capture the essence of this artist and her smile is one of them.
Clair by name Clair by nature - seems so fresh and happy.
I can see her as a young artist - person - a tribute to the life in art 🙏thank you
Josh these are important people and stories that you are sharing and elevating.
Real hard working creative people who are following their dreams and living embodiment of their passion. These beautiful spaces, and vital artists are inspiring, along with your photos and vids. I hope sales of your book are successful and never banned. Thank you for sharing this wonderful project with us.
Well it's official 😮 I have definite 'STUDIO' envy! What a beautiful woman and a wonderful space for her to thrive ❤🎉
How can you not love her.Can't wait for the book.
A beautiful and talented kind soul. She's so lovely. Thank you for recognizing her .
I absolutely loved this and her, thank you so much for creating and uploading them, you are my favourite channel on here. Imagine having a space that big to have the freedom to create what you want, its like a dream!
I'm an Artist and watching and listening to this lady ..made me wonder where I'd be had I started from school like educator's had directed me .but parents claimed I would only make money after I'm dead ..old school ...I'm a senior ..she is making me smile and my heart happy imaging living a life like hers .. My home is starting to reflect who I am as an artist and you have no idea the happiness it brings . I wish her Everything Beautiful. Be Well All...
Wonderful! So glad for you.
I always received the same daunting messages about wanting to be a professional artist. I was told to do something more sensible like nursing or teaching. The next thing I knew I was married with 3 kids in my 20's. I'm a senior now too and have lots of things around me I've made. I've made a decision to create a room in my house as a shrine to honor a life I could have lived but only had time to dabble in it between all the other responsibilities. This video was very inspiring.
I am fascinated by the sensitive way you designed the film and the interview. And so wonderful photographs of this impressive woman and artistic personality were created. This loft is without a doubt an art paradise.
She's living the dream. Beautiful!
BRAVO! Great video. A true artist and free spirit who dedicated her life to making ART!
What a beautiful soul. Her smile lights up the room! ❤
From an artist to artist perspective, I appreciate and respect Claire. Chuckled aloud when she spoke abut wanting to get into the bible and what her mother said! So funny! Lovely photos. You capture the essence of the space and person interaction perfectly. Talent.
i really enjoy this , Claire is one of kind she’s now my inspiration to get back to painting. ❤️
Incredible! She is one of a kind.
When you dedicate your life to ART.
A great series! As an artist living in New York, and always struggling to find good affordable space to work in, it's nice to see this!
Thanks so much! I agree its fascinating to see other artists spaces and how they've been able to make it work over the years.
I really can’t thank you enough for this beautiful video, capturing this beautiful woman and her story. What a unique space created by an incredible soul. Cheers.
Beautiful ❤I grew up on the 2nd floor in a warehouse in the 70s. My artist father had a framing studio on the 1st floor. I met alot of my parents artist friends. I love open airy and sunlit loft spaces. I remember riding my bicycle around on the 3rd floor. We had 2 pianos and the space was still huge. Very hard to heat in winter tho.
What a great way to live within a city.
Claire Eleanor Ferguson. A wonderful lady, amazing artistic soul. Thank you for this pleasurable glimpse into this artists life. ❤
Joshua, that was like viewing interior landscape photography for me, a panorama of Claire's space and passion for creativity in her small canyons of color. And Claire has a wonderful voice for storytelling , a very approachable artist. Thanks to both of you for this video.
This is the kindest message. Thank you so much!
Man she's just so cute!!! Thanks for sharing her story : )
This is the exact kind of work I want to do (artist interviews), just in a different city/cities. Very inspirational to me, thank you.
As a 24 yr old new painter.. these videos are so inspiring.
“It goes beyond my life.. the work I’ve done.” That is such a beautiful comment. She is wonderful
I can't imagine how nice it must be to get to live in the same place for 50 years. That kind of stability is mind-blowing, as someone who has lived in the same place for rarely more than 3 years. The longest I've ever lived in the same place was 6 years. It messes with your brain to be so unstable.
Again you have hit the spot. Your videos of artists show the true living and ambitions of professional artists. Thank you again for you sensitivity.
🥰I just fell in-love with her. Thank u for sharing her, she looked so happy for her Art to be appreciated.
😂& how cute was that Bible story.
This is awesome. She seems like such an incredible multifaceted artist, living such a full life in a crazy space. Thanks❤ for sharing
Loved her story. She is the real deal.
She is gorgeous, her home reflects that
My dear friend and comrade Claire, portrayed so beautifully here. Great work Joshua Charow and Claire! I love it!
So glad I found this. I love my city. (45 year old native)
A lovely artist
What an EXCITING series! Pure joy seeing these lovely artists. The stories! And their gorgeous flats. As an artist, a DREAM. Thank you for making this your project. Just can’t wait to see more of these beautiful souls.
The Miro that burned 😢
every few weeks i look forward to these uploads, im completely obsessed!!
Thanks for sharing! these are some of the real artists of New York. When one is young; it seemed so cool or hip when other people ask you what u do for living and the answer is artist. But man, artists are very brave, they chose a unusual life path of chaos.....from an outside perspective; it looks almost sad in a way; but we all know that they have pursued their obsession for the true desire of it.
Dedicating your life to being an artist is a rare, difficult, and beautiful thing. I find it very important to capture those who have made that decision
Actually it's the opposite of sad. In fact being an artist is one of the few things worth doing in life. Of course every artist is different and some have brilliant, happy, fulfilling lives and others don't. At the end of the day making visual art is a pleasure whether one is famous or not.
Sad? In what way? People who are artists do it because of internal motivation rather than external acceptance. (Perhaps some do differently)
@@jameswarhol442 It would be a dream to have made it like her, with an archive in the permanent collection of MoMA. But in the artist world, she's one of many. Perhaps many other artists have tried but never reached the level where their work simply becomes their legacy, for many more to see and enjoy. It's sad to know that compared to her, there are probably hundreds of artists who tried but never made it.
But isn't that beautiful? Just like the quote from the movie Whiplash: 'I'd rather die drunk, broke at 34, and have people at a dinner table talk about me than live to be rich and sober at 90, and nobody remember who I was.' Just how bloody but committed this line is.
Additionally, reinforced by contemporary artists like the Neistat brothers, 'you either succeed or die trying' - that's the spirit only an artist would have. Sad is that most people define a happy life as being 'rich and sober at 90,' possibly seeing their grandchildren growing up in a normal family way, like their neighbors. It's sad to see those who tried but didn't make it.
@@clarkbowler157 It would be a dream to have made it like her, with an archive in the permanent collection of MoMA. But in the artist world, she's one of many. Perhaps many other artists have tried but never reached the level where their work simply becomes their legacy, for many more to see and enjoy. It's sad to know that compared to her, there are probably hundreds of artists who tried but never made it.
But isn't that beautiful? Just like the quote from the movie Whiplash: 'I'd rather die drunk, broke at 34, and have people at a dinner table talk about me than live to be rich and sober at 90, and nobody remember who I was.' Just how bloody but committed this line is.
Additionally, reinforced by contemporary artists like the Neistat brothers, 'you either succeed or die trying' - that's the spirit only an artist would have. Sad is that most people define a happy life as being 'rich and sober at 90,' possibly seeing their grandchildren growing up in a normal family way, like their neighbors. It's sad to see those who tried but didn't make it.
Thank you.
I loved listening to Claire and seeing her art. I can identify with her thoughts on death and the need to leave some kind of legacy. It was never important to me in the past, but I've been thinking about it a lot more lately as well. She mentioned the Bible which intrigued me as I have an interest in it too:-) As an eclectic artist, I felt a connection with her:-) 💫🧚✨ PS I make unique one-of-a-kind greeting cards too...just for fun:-)
Phenomenal work, Joshua! I can't even imagine all of the change these people have seen. They're the last of their kind.
WOW! The pictures, stories, music, and the energy captured is amazing! It's very intimate. This is a masterpiece of their masterpieces. 👏🏽
I look forward to the book and enjoy the videos. A full length documentary would be awesome. Its impacts my heart the way the Repair Shop does. Hope everyone local can attend Claire’s show in June 👏🏼
"You know..i had a difficult childhood but I won't go into that".. isn't it amazing how people survive, then thrive after such experiences ..❤
Loved the story of the artist, Claire captured by the artist behind the camera. Loved this! Thank you both ,for sharing .
Thank you to share Claire and her art , home … what a beautiful energy she has through her smile . ❤
Another beautiful video, Josh. Claire seems like a wonderful soul with numerous stories to tell.
Wow… I loved the whole vibe of this and her… and your pictures, Amazing… you do good work.
What a delightful woman !!
What a charming beautiful woman! She is living the dream ❤❤❤
Wowzers...i so enjoyed meeting and greeting this wonderful lady! A living tribute to her life, her art, her outlook and her feelings! The ensemble of her experiences over her life are Priceless!
What an infectious smile!
shes so lovely.
What a lovely person who has a grateful look on life
Thank you for documenting and sharing ☮
What a remarkable woman. Bravo, Claire, bravo! ❤❤❤
That was fun to watch! Thank you!! Claire Elenor is great!
I loved watching this. Life as art. Incredible. Thank you.
Precious. Thank you both.
your photos are stunning and very special !
Thank you. Very sensitive presentation.
BEAUTIFULL
Amazing ! what incredible Art , people, stories, such history ,truly wonderful .Thank You x also interesting that it was Max Gimblett and Billy Apple two New Zealand artist that encouraged her to do performance art 👏🏻. (Was the black and white piece a Gimblett?)
Thank you for making these videos!
Thank you for watching them!
That's such a life affirming film - thank you for the wonderful work you do !
What an amazing lady. So vibrant and full of life and humour. What I would give to spend an hour talking to her about her work and life.
I just loved this so much! Thank you for this amazing film! Luv her so much and her art! And hello! that space! I had an amazing loft space on the Bowery betw. Houston & Prince from '94- 2001 and so lucky was I cause the opportunity to have that was zilch lol shortly after that as we all know... It's so great to see these artists you document and they're still there and thriving!!++
Quite moved, thanks.
Claire lives in this very large, interesting, and expensive space all by herself. How nice for her! If she had a party who would show up? When was the last time she had a party?
Absolutely Love this Interview and Artist! Thank You Both!!
This was very enjoyable and inspiring. There was one thing this srtist and I have in common and I'm not sn artist but a crafter and into junk journals. I am 67 years old and when she talked about her fear of death, I thought I was pretty much alone in this. Its comforting to know I'm not alone. What a wonderful stufio she has enjoyed, its a gorgeous place. I will look into your life as an artist because I'd like to know. Thank you for sharing this video. You dress very beautifully and colorful
Check into psilocybin- doctors in Canada will prescribe. You will lose your fear.
wow. to have a space like that. that is incredible.
Beautiful
Gran trabajo. Gracias por visibilizar esas vidas. :)
She's the most glorious work of art of all.
Thank you for sharing the richly layered, intricately woven, miraculously vivid stories and spaces of artists!
Claire is so interesting and her art is Beautiful!!♥️♥️♥️
So inspirational. Such a lifetime of beauty. Wonderful post and I ordered the book today. Can't wait to receive it! Like and Subscribed as well.
Such a sweet soul in that woman. It’s so beautiful that u were able to meet her and share her life. She deserves success and I honestly hope she achieves it by ur publicity and introducing the rest of the world to her
I love artists. They see and create what we don't see. Art wakes us up. Claire is such a kindred spirit. She has the ability to make us forget the bad in the world and give us hope and kindness through ArT! ❤
I love your work , and subscribed right away Fascinating how you are at home with the subjects, integrate into their space and become like one energy with them, you are an artist yourself
What an enjoyable video on such an interesting talented lady. Thank you for sharing her many talents. Just think of all that she has seen and done over the years.
🕰️🎼🎨🎭🎞️📸🎺🌆Wonderful piece!
This was so beautiful.
Great video! What a lovely woman.
Love this!
Living in a New York style Loft was and still is every artist's dream! So pleased to hear that there are still artists living on in some of these places. Loved the video!
Hey, I received your book yesterday. Looking forward to getting into it this weekend!
Incredible!!! Thanks so much for purchasing a copy.
Awesome- a great doc!!
Superb. Thank you!!
what a beautiful documentary!! she is lovely and I wish I could know more about her life!
This is absolutely beautiful! 💛
Beautifully done
A lovely woman! I saw this and watched it because I am very interested in combining living and creative space with heavy emphasis on the portion used for creative activities. Personally, I cannot separate the two and devote much more of my space and time to creating than sleeping/food prep/other human activities. I get up in the morning and joyfully pick up where I left off. It's like breathing for me. I have not been able to Google any combination of words such as "live in studio" and find ideas on how to put together such a place for myself. The reuse of industrial buildings for this purpose is just about perfect as a person can be there and develop it around themself as time goes by and in an infinite number of ways as they occur to you. The only problem for me is I do not wish to be amongst throngs of people when I step outside. The search is still on...
I love her. My heart goes out to her and I'm asking myself for the first time in 68 years; when did I learn about death and how did I feel about it? I am sorry to say I don't remember. Long live Claire!!
I just love authenticity and living your self made path intentionally. I feel I didn't really have time to choose as I soon found myself married with 3 kids in my 20's. I'm 64 now and playing catch up on me. Never too late they say!