Interview with Rora Blue
With their high emphasis on text, color and interactivity, Rora Blue brings about a deep connection between an audience and their work. Perhaps one of the most unique and promising artists in the industry, her work is far from constrained. She explores the unspoken implications of human emotions through her work, primarily consisting of installations and web-art, such as “The Unsent Project”, “I’d Rather be Here”, “After the Beep”, and many more.
We are extremely excited to have had this interview with them!
· Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do?
My name is Rora Blue and I am a 26-year-old visual artist based in Reno, Nevada. I transport my bed into vast outdoor spaces, use pills as sprinkles on cakes, collect voicemails, and send snail mail art. I like to make pretty things look ugly and ugly things look pretty.
· You’re known for your conceptual artwork. What is it that draws you towards this style?
I feel like I can communicate big ideas most effectively through visuals. I am also inspired by everyday moments, interactions, and objects. I think those two things make working conceptually make the most sense for me.
· Your IV bag art is exceptionally creative! Can we have an insight into the inspiration and creative process behind these?
Thank you so much! I have to interact with medical objects frequently because of my chronic illnesses. I decided to save all of my IV bags over a three-month period of time and through doing that I realized I could use them as materials for my artwork. I am interested in reframing dialogue around disability and presenting my IV bags in a beautiful way felt like an opportunity to do that. I also wanted to transport my IV bags into nature to think about accessibility in outdoor spaces.
· How would you describe your art style? What do you think sets you apart from others in the industry?
I am super interdisciplinary, but I commonly work in installation and soft sculpture. My style is driven by color, text, and interactivity. I think what sets me apart is that I often make art about subjects that are not often talked about. Talking about my experiences being queer, chronically ill, and a gender minority is very central to work. I think my experiences give me a perspective that allows a different kind of dialogue to happen and hopefully this can create a path to move forward.
· You’re known to associate colors with emotions, especially in your art. What drives this thought process?
I have always thought that there are some feelings that are so big they can only exist as a color. I use color this way in my art in hopes that I can share that feeling with the viewer too.
· Who do you look up to the most in the industry, or just in general? Why?
I look up to a lot of other queer and disabled artists. I also look up to my mom and my sister. I feel most inspired by anyone that has the courage to unapologetically be themselves especially when it’s in the face of adversity.
· Who are some artists you’d like to collaborate with?
Aurora Berger, Julian Gavino, Tash King, Amber Delarosa, and Ezra Benus.
· What do you think is the most rewarding thing about being part of this industry, despite the various challenges that you might face?
The chance to connect with other people who have been through or felt similar things means absolutely everything to me.
· What is one of the most important lessons about your field you’ve learnt along the way?
That success looks different for every person and that is okay. I used to push myself really hard to try and fit into this narrative of success that didn’t work for me and was ultimately hurting me. I am so much happier now walking my own path even if it looks a little different than what everyone else is doing.
· Here’s a little fun question: If the world was to end today, and one of your artworks had to remain as the proof of our existence, which one do you think it should be and why?
I love this question! I think it should be the first art piece that I ever made called the Unsent Project. It’s a collection of over 4 million unsent text messages to first loves. I think the Unsent Project speaks to what it means to love and that is something fundamental to being human. I would love for this piece to survive and be a reminder of that.
· Do you have any more work in store? Could we have a little sneak peek?
Yes! I am working on a book project where 37 artists created artwork that matches the color scheme of their medications. I am super excited about it and have been floored by everyone’s beautiful art. I am hand binding the books with surgical sutures and the whole process has been incredibly rewarding. I can share the cover artwork with you which is by Jayme Allen!
Cover artwork by Jayme Allen.