Sometime in 2009, Qiana Mestrich reached out to me asking if I’d be interested in being interviewed for her blog “Dodge & Burn”. The interview, which appeared in September of that year is now featured in print together with an update of several follow-up questions from 2023.

Qiana’s blog zeroed in on individual artistic practices vis-a-vis an art world that was reluctant to embrace the vision of immigrants and artists of color. Reading Qiana’s posts one immediately felt a strong and unapologetic sense of advocacy, insisting on decolonizing the gaze of gatekeepers and fighting for greater diversity, equality and inclusion.

My interview from 15 years ago feels like a time capsule and I decided to keep it without alterations. Looking back, I feel that I’m often over-confident and naive and hungry like only young artists can be. I hope my postscript balances things out a bit better with the perspective and clarity of a long artistic career.

At any rate, dear Qiana, I salute your talent and tireless work. And I celebrate this publication with you. Its pages tell it like it is and are full of insight and inspiration. I am humbled and honored to be included in it alongside so many friends and colleagues I cherish and admire.