I am HOTTEA pronounced like the drink hot tea. During my early years of HOTTEA I did typography on fences using yarn. As my work progressed I started doing hanging installations using yarn and site specific installations. I have done installations for clients big and small as well as private commissions. To this day, I still install un-commissioned pieces in public spaces along with my commissioned work.

What is your chosen artistic medium?

I initially started working with yarn. I chose yarn because I wanted the work I do as HOTTEA to be different than the work I used to do as a graffiti writer in the late 90's early 2000's. As a graffiti writer I felt like I was always stressing out about the fact that I could go to jail or get arrested for my artwork. I never felt fully comfortable doing artwork as a graffiti writer. When I started using yarn, I would do my work during the day to make myself vulnerable and to create opportunities for viewers to stop and talk. Over the years I have experimented with flagging tape, doing experimental typography with wood, projections, dance and performance art, magnets as pixels and even spray paint but in a much different way.

Who are your muses?

My muses are typically my family members. Over the years it has grown to involve my close friends and then finally I started doing work about my personal experiences. Currently I am looking to complete strangers as inspiration. I want to start telling other peoples stories.

What are your prep or practice rituals to get you into the artistic headspace?

I am constantly listening to music. I find that music helps calm me down. Each installation has its own obstacles. No one space is identical and sometimes the unknown can be stressful. Music helps with that stress. I listen to alot of electronic music, mostly house. I do love disco, 90s alternative, 90s rap and a little bit of country. One of my favorite musical acts to listen to before installing is Soulwax. They are a mix of electro and alternative music.

What is your favorite awkward growth moment or barrier-breaking time?

Well, that would have to be a non-art growth moment. I mean I have had plenty of moments where I consciously knew I was growing as an artist but one of the most important moments of growth was when I realized I was gay and what role that would play in my life. I was never too confident with my body so figuring out I was gay made me even more self-conscious at first. Over the years, I have come to accept my body and my sexuality and I believe that confidence has helped me in life and also to have a more clear headspace for ideation... so I guess in a way it was a moment of growth for my art as well. I stand corrected.

During the period of social distancing and quarantine, what inspired you and kept you engaged and moving forward?

I have always been extremely self-motivated. You kind of have to if you really want to make it as a full-time artist. Every day during quarantine I worked on projects that could be installed after quarantine was over. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to expand on what I have already built with HOTTEA. I started doing more projections and using materials other than yarn. I live in the twin cities, so during quarantine there was a lot happening regarding police brutality. That also motivated me to create more socially aware art and to educate myself more on the topic.

What is your favorite quote or saying?

"Time without purpose is a prison."

Tell us about your upcoming events, new releases, or anticipated projects:

I am currently working on a project where I create typography on other peoples’ garage doors using magnets as pixels. The property owner chooses the word and so, in a sense, I am telling their story via my artwork. It's something I have been wanting to do for a while, to tell other people’s stories. I am also working on a new installation for Miami Art Basel that will be part of the SCOPE art fair and a few other private commissions.

Any other details you would like to share?

I love my partner Aaron. He is one if not the best thing that has ever happened to me.

FEATURED ARTIST: HOTTEA