Romy
Where were you raised? Has the landscape of that place influenced your work in any way?
I grew up in Sydney, Australia. I grew up near cliffs and the ocean and lighthouses. The edge of the world. Giant trees, the sounds of Kookaburra’s in the morning. Sydney has a calmness to it, life is simple and easy there. It has a minimalism to it. It definitely influenced my work. I can’t say exactly how, but it did. It’s visceral. I feel it more than know it.
How do you re-charge your creative battery?
To be honest, it never really stops. I'm solar powered and moon powered. But for R&R I like to listen to records, read, draw, watch films, go for walks, eat chips and salsa with friends, drink tea. Oh and short interval, high intensity running. I love hills! Running up hills., mwah! Can you tell I'm a Virgo?
What book are you reading?
You mean books! 'The Age of Surveillance Capitalism' by Shoshana Zuboff, Mark Fisher's 'K-Punk', Tommy Pico's long poem 'Feed', Dodie Bellamy's 'When The Sick Rule The World' and this week's New Yorker magazine.
What was the last thing that you fell in love with?
My friend Amanda made me black sesame ice cream for my birthday. I fell in love briefly, for sure. I also bought myself the 'Popol Vuh: The Early Years' 5xLP box set. It includes their soundtrack to Herzog's 'Aguirre the Wrath of God', which I love dearly. The box set is stunning. Also, the new Criterion restoration of Claire Denis' 1999 masterpiece 'Beau Travail'. I re-fell in love with that film. It's hypnotic and puts you in a trance, much like falling in love.
What do you love most about yourself?
My acid brain, my sensitivity, my ability to be alone with myself, my self awareness, my discipline, my critical thinking, my harsh dichotomies.
What do you think is the most important quality in a human?
Probably compassion. Empathy. That's a bit cheesy but, whatever. There's comfort in cliches.
Do you have a spiritual practice?
Yes, I do. It's how I start my day. I meditate for 20 minutes, then pray through a prayer routine. I do a tea ritual and I write.
Who are your role models?
My heroes are all punks and queers. To be honest, I don't really have role models. I don't know, we're all just human beings doing our best, existing, until we just suddenly don't exist. I'd like to think I add joy to people's lives, on top of that, and that I'll leave behind some decent art as proof of my existence.
If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be? Is there a individual or an organization doing work in this area that you want us to know about?
I'd put an end to the Capitalist, Patriarchal death cult! I think the Sunrise Movement and Black Girls Code are two organizations you should research and contribute to!
Before I die I want to…
Do a tea tour of the world. Pick leaves and study with tea masters in all the different tea regions of the world. Also, it'd be nice to play shows again! And, just be truly content and at peace. Like, next level levels of peace.
All photos courtesy of Romy
