On Textile Art, Immersive Installations and Identity: Molly Sydnor
Throughout 2022 and 2023, Future Front worked with Dallas-based artist Molly Sydnor on a solo installation—Oh, The Places You Could Have Gone!—at The Future Front House, as well as a group show—Hot Texas Summer—at The LINE Austin.
In this interview, Molly swaps notes with our team on these installations, as well as her approach to art-making in Texas.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Molly Margaret Sydnor (she/her) is a Dallas-based multidisciplinary fine artist with an eye for fiber. She received a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 2015.
Originally brought to Dallas for a career in product development specializing in interiors, textile, and rug design, Sydnor has traded in her 6-year corporate career to creative marketing for non profits. She is an advocate for adults with disabilities, and has transitioned her professional career to focus on DEIB&A. Molly runs Local Queer Collective and her work can be found locally in Austin at The Little Gay Shop or in Dallas at Sweet Tooth Hotel.
ABOUT MOLLY’S ART SHOWS WITH FUTURE FRONT
✰ Oh, The Places You Could Have Gone! on view at The Future Front House at East Austin Studio Tour 2022
As a solo installation by Molly Sydnor, Oh the Places You Could Have Gone! is a direct response to perceptions of excess.
Through a rainbow immersion of mixed textures, childlike color and play, Molly Syndor’s optical illusory takes you into a false sense of reality. Intended to evoke an experience of both a calming sense of order yet extreme maximalism. The very colors, lights and textures that invited you in are now doing the most.
This overindulgence seeks to question if we are enjoying the experience or overwhelmed by the sensation of consumption. It’s meant to evoke the push-and-pull dualities of the real and the illusory, the tactile and the intangible, the relationship between childhood freedoms and adult restrictions.
Sydnor manipulates your physical sense of space, too, employing different translucencies, sproftacchel shapes, familiar youthful textures and lights. Ultimately, this immersive installation illustrates the Places you Could have Gone (if you were not restricted by self-created boundaries).
✰ Hot Texas Summer 2023 Group Show at The LINE Austin
A testament to Future Front’s vibrant artist community and the multicultural roots of Texas art, HOT TEXAS SUMMER features works by women artists in Texas, including: Molly Sydnor, Chantal Lesley, Steph Granillo, Tumi Adeleye, Tanya Zal, Darcie Book, Calder Kamin & Ani Bradberry.
Oh, The Places You Could Have Gone! on view at The Future Front House at East Austin Studio Tour 2022
Oh, The Places You Could Have Gone! on view at The Future Front House at East Austin Studio Tour 2022
Oh, The Places You Could Have Gone! on view at The Future Front House at East Austin Studio Tour 2022
Q — What was your inspiration for “Oh, The Places You Could Have Gone!”?
A — My work pulls inspiration from both past projects i've made as well as experiences around me. When I was recruited for the grant that led to this installation, it was right after finishing my installation with Sweet Tooth Hotel in early 2021. By the time I pitched "Oh, The Places" to be considered, it was Fall 2021. I had just completed a container install and considering the grant required an Austin-based installation, I had to take experiences into mind while conceptualizing. My experience from the long-draining install nights from Sweet Tooth, in combination with the speed and efficiency of installing in a container, I combined the two. Once I knew my buil- out, it was easy to take a concept I had always wanted to make and go from there!
Q — Your work takes a unique approach to themes like anxiety and narrative identity, while also exploring textures, fabric and color in vibrant and immersive ways. What role does color play in your life?
A — It’s funny. Installing my work drives my anxiety, but not making art does as well. In a way, the duality of the push and pull between being so busy that I’m anxious and having too much free time that I’m anxious plays a major role in how I make my artwork.
My work draws viewers in. The goal is to bring you in and then talk to you about complex ideas. My pieces for Future Front, in particular, are very overwhelming after a while. But when you first come across the work, it’s very fun and innocent.
So, I like the trickery of bright colors and fun textures. I utilize that in my work quite a bit! Ultimately, color is everything to me. Color is a necessity in my life. It brings me comfort.
Q — How often do you create public installations? What is your process typically like from start to finish?
A — I started large public installs in 2019. I had always shown my work "publicly,” but felt it was extremely difficult to get funding to do them. In 2019 I wanted so badly to make a large install and no one would let me show in their space, so I did a giant pop-up in my condo. It was a game-changer and helped put me on the map.
Since then, I’ve done about 10 public installs! The process can be extensive. Usually I start out with grant-writing and try to find funding. That is the biggest part of installs, because once I know my budget, I can conceptualize how big or small the install can be. In the end, it’s always worth it. I always feel incredibly accomplished and love sharing my concepts with the public.
Molly Sydnor within Hot Texas Summer 2023 Group Show at The LINE Austin. Photo by Anne Deis
Molly Sydnor within Hot Texas Summer 2023 Group Show at The LINE Austin. Photo by Anne Deis
Q — Is creating a temporary installation different from other forms of artistic work you do? How so?
A — I personally enjoy working between temporary public installs and more permanent forms of artwork. Often, my work is hard to "upkeep,” and with temporary installs, sometimes damage happens and thankfully it’s not always necessary to fix it. The longevity of my installs comes from the memories and pictures people take and I’m satisfied with that.
I also like the aspect of reuse that comes along with my installs. Taking an install apart allows me to potentially reuse the materials in a new way—and reimagine them for other things.
Q — Do you have any advice for artists seeking funding via grants or other forms of support?
A — Years ago, I learned that being a full-time artist is sometimes more admin than it is art-making. I spend a good amount of my year applying for funding and opportunities and things. Even if I get something, I still have to continue applying throughout the year.
You’ll apply to 100 things just to get one—so apply, apply, apply. The biggest thing I’ve learned is that no one is going to just give you anything in this industry. No one will ever see the hours and emotionally draining things you put into your projects or the mental space these projects take up before, during and after.
If you are not willing to get your ego bruised over and over and over again, throw in the towel now. If you take anything personally, it helps to change your perspective, because this work is nothing but humbling and will knock you on your ass over and over. So, find a support system to catch you when you fall, because you will fall hard!
Q — Lately, we’ve been exploring what it means to nurture our metaphorical community garden. What does that mean to you?
A — Community is everything. Its both my biggest strength and weakness! I think often times we utilize our communities when we are most in need. Then when we feel amazing, or get new jobs, or new partners, or life throws us curve balls sometimes we can disappear from our community. I think this statement to me means tend to your community. Give as much or more than you get!
Molly Sydnor within Hot Texas Summer 2023 Group Show at The LINE Austin. Photo by Anne Deis