Lauren Gregory Explores the Fusion of Tradition and Technology | PRIMENEWSNOW

Exploring the Artistic Journey of Lauren Gregory

By Kevin Murphy Wilson • Photos by Ashley Holstein and John Schweikert

Lauren Gregory, a versatile artist and educator from Tennessee, is set to showcase her work in a solo exhibition at the 849 Gallery, located on the Kentucky College of Art + Design campus. Initially trained in portrait painting, Gregory has innovatively transitioned into stop-motion animation, breathing life into her evocative artworks. During the 2020 pandemic, she rekindled her passion for quilting, a craft she learned from her family matriarchs in Appalachia. We recently had the opportunity to chat with Gregory about her creative evolution ahead of her exhibition opening on January 15th.

Background and Artistic Roots

VOICE-TRIBUNE: Could you share some insights into your background?

Lauren Gregory: “I hail from East Tennessee but spent many years away. I pursued my undergraduate studies in South Carolina and earned my MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2010, I moved to New York, where I lived in Bushwick, worked in the art scene, and created animated music videos for renowned artists like Leonard Cohen and Norah Jones. This experience led me to teach animation at Parsons School of Design, which has been an enriching journey. I returned to Nashville during the pandemic, got married, started a family, and continue to create and teach.”

The Creative Pathway

VT: What initially sparked your interest in the arts?

LG: “My mother taught me to sew and encouraged my creativity from a young age. Both she and my grandmother were painters, but I initially resisted painting, preferring music. I attended the University of South Carolina on a bassoon scholarship but eventually left the orchestra. During a period of uncertainty, my mother and grandmother encouraged me to paint a self-portrait, which ignited my passion for painting. I changed my major to painting after that transformative experience.”

Inspirations and Influences

VT: Are there any artists who continue to inspire you?

LG: “Recently, I’ve been drawn to quilts, particularly those by the Gee’s Bend quilters and Rosie Lee Tompkins. I’m also inspired by Chris Edwards, a fellow teacher at Ox-Bow.”

Evolution of Art and Technique

VT: How have your materials and methods evolved over time?

LG: “I began with oil portraits, which evolved into animations as I documented their changes over time. This led to creating animations with oil paint and clay, and sometimes painting on faux fur. The pandemic reignited my interest in quilting, which now complements my painting and animation work. Describing my art can be challenging due to its diverse nature.”

Defining Success in Art

VT: How do you define success at this stage in your career?

LG: “Success for me now is balancing my responsibilities as a mother with my artistic pursuits. If I can manage both, while still teaching and creating, that’s success. Finding time for self-care is an added bonus.”

Upcoming Projects and Engagements

VT: What future events or activities are you involved in?

LG: “I’m thrilled to have my quilts and animations featured in the Frist Museum’s ‘In Her Place: Nashville Artists in the Twenty-First Century.’ I continue teaching at Parsons and Ox-Bow and am excited about my solo show, ‘Snacks: Contemporary Quilting, Painting, and Animation,’ at KyCAD, where I’ll also be teaching a quilting class this spring.”