Marie-Pier Frigon
The Lovers, of the series From Me to You which includes a video and text piece.
How did you get into debt?
This is the debt I generated by studying photography for my undergraduate degree.
The Tower, of the series From Me to You.
How does your economic reality effect your art?
I am a photographer who primarily shoots film. It's an important part of my process. But with the cost of buying and developing, each roll costs about $12. Not to mention the minimal costs of traveling to take photographs, and larger production costs like printing, framing, and equipment upgrades. I'm not currently able to invest in my work at all, which means I cannot continue to make work, which means I have no working career as an artist.
The Mother, of the series From Me to You.
Would your work look different if you weren't in debt?:
My world would be extraordinarily different with no debt. I would have extra income to further my artistic work (buying film, cover printing/framing costs, necessary equipment upgrades). With the state my debt is in now, I simply don't have extra income outside of my monthly payments and bills. I find myself scrounging for pennies to pay for film and other production costs. This is extraordinarily difficult as an emerging artist who needs to make crucial investments in the beginning of her career. I am afraid my work will disappear if I don't find a way to generate more income.
https://vimeo.com/213742870
The Hero, of the series From Me to You.
www.mariepierfrigon.com