Queering Quarantine: ATL artist Savana Ogburn creates prints for a cause

Arts

May 21

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Queer creators in the digital age are finding new ways to keep their art alive. Digital drag has taken the internet by storm, giving queens a new way to connect with their fans from a safe, social distance. Magazine shoots are being done via FaceTime, giving new meaning to the art form of virtual photography. Although the creative industry has been stricken with uncertainty, artists have been able to find the inspiration, and tenacity, to keep creating. In coping with our new reality, many photographers, performers, and producers have taken to their digital platforms to showcase their work, and liven up the screens of their audiences at home.

The emergence of these alternatives beg the question, “how are our faves queering quarantine?”

Meet Savana Ogburn (she/they): photographer, collage artist, and set designer to the stars! Ogburn, known for her kooky, campy, yet streamlined art style, has released some projects over the past few weeks that are sure to put a smile on your face. Amidst photoshop collaborations, paper marbling tutorials, and whimsically eerie lumen prints, Ogburn has been able to take time with her work, whilst still giving the girls want they want. You have probably seen her work in WUSSY volume 4-8!

Seriously, check out her photo essay for The Photographic Journal, titled “Do I Make You Thorny, Baby?” Love!

Now, and for a limited time only, Savana is selling collage prints in collaboration with different organizations in order to raise money and spread some cheer! We got the chance to speak with Ogburn about her creative process, the prints in question, and how quarantine has been for her overall.

How are you? How has quarantine been treating you?

Hi Iv! I’m holding up- I’m lucky to be quarantined with my family and my art supplies, so I’m certainly not lonely or bored. Which is nice. But I’m definitely feeling that constant anxiety about everything that’s going on.

Has your creative process changed at all?

Yes! I’ve slowed down a good bit (obviously) and am trying to take time to think through projects pretty deeply before trying to move forward with them. Just being a little bit more intentional and taking time to experiment.

You’re selling some super cute mini prints right now! How is that going?

Thank you! It’s going really well. I feel really powerless right now and have been itching to do something, so it made sense to me to use some of my extra time to 1. Raise some money for organizations doing important work and 2. Figure out a way to get my work into people’s hands/homes in an accessible way. I’m happy to be able to combine the two. I’m not raising a ton of money, but it’s more than nothing which is what matters, I think.

Tell us a little bit about the organizations you’re partnering with.

I tried to choose 4 different organizations that were important to me and that all do vastly different work, especially those that are helping in some way with the Coronavirus response. I also wanted to pick organizations that might not have the visibility that some of the major ones out there do so that the money we raise will feel maybe a bit more impactful. The first organization was National Bail Out, the second is NDLON’s Immigrant Worker Safety Net Fund, and the next two will be Decolonizing Wealth’s Native American Community Response Fund and then Southern Equality to coincide with Pride.

Will supporters be able to purchase more of your work? When/where?

Yes! Every so often I’ll list something goofy in my shop, but I’m planning on having an ongoing print shop where people can buy fine art prints of some of my photos, and mini prints/postcards of my collages. This sale is a nice way for me to test the waters and figure out how to do it! But I’m always open to selling fine art prints via email :)

Any other projects you want to plug?

My friend Valheria Rocha and I just filmed a cute joint Q&A on IGTV answering a lot of questions about photography/art careers, inspiration, et cetera that should be going up in the next week or so. Hopefully it will be helpful and not fully off the rails. Exciting stuff!

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