Arts
This episode was originally recorded in Spring 2017. Stay tuned for more episodes of In Residence soon. “Residencies are really important for artists if you want to keep growing and expanding. I would encourage it if artists want to experience a different city and join a network of people who understand and encourage their work—that’s the residency.” –Robert Hodge Summary: Our first guest for this inaugural episode of In-Residence is Robert Hodge, a Houston artist and one of three residents at Artpace this spring. Hodge is a dynamic and engaging artist and musician whose practice extends past the studio walls. He scavenges material from urban environments and prioritizes engagement with local communities. For his Artpace residency, he’s recorded a new album, Between the Devil and the Deep, referencing the myth that blues musician Robert Johnson sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for mastery of the guitar. Hodge is also working on a new series of large-scale paintings, that will be unveiled at the opening on March 16. In this episode, we talk about: • how a city feeds his work with material and community • how his hometown of Houston has grown and changed • his work engaging Houston’s Third Ward through projects such as Beauty Box • how he balances working as an artist, musician, and community activator • how to engage local communities with art • the neighbor who inspired him to become an artist • the recording of his new album at the historic Gunter Hotel in the same room Robert Johnson recorded his Delta Blues record • what a typical day at Artpace is like • the value of residences • the importance of critical dialogue between artists • his studio visit with Artpace Guest Curator, Michelle Grabner Stay connected with Artpace for the to-be-announced date of Robert Hodge’s album launch party for Between the Devil and The Deep. The record will be released as a limited-edition vinyl with original album art by Hodge. Hodge has already become a well-loved member of the Artpace family and we hope you enjoy this conversation with him.