Ali Smith, Author & Photographer
Ali Smith, Author & Photographer
💭 Thoughts on the visible mending movement, style over fashion, and the importance of human connection in the creative process.
The vibrant style Ali Smith has brought to her photography —featured regularly in The New York Times, The Guardian, and other publications internationally — was forged in New York’s underground music scene. She's released two books of photography: Laws of the Bandit Queens and Momma Love: How the Mother Half Lives, praised by The New York Times, and called “a gift to moms” by Gloria Steinem. Ali’s memoir – The Ballad of Speedball Baby – is her literary debut and has been met with critical acclaim and impassioned responses from readers. You can find out more about the inner workings of an overly-anxious but deeply-grateful mind at AliSmith.com, @mommaloveAli on Instagram and Ali Smith on Facebook.
🤝 The importance of human connection in the creative process
I’ve been asked to lecture at a university in England. It will be one of three upcoming lectures and I’m super excited to speak with students, attempt to instill future artists with a “union mentality,” and discuss the importance of human connection in the creative process! I hope to do more of that.
I’m excited about the visible mending movement because now there’s a fashionable word for liking to fix my old clothes rather than just the term “hobo”.
One of my favorite shows right now is I Am Not Okay with This because my 14 year old son is showing it to me and I think he may be leaving a bread-crumb trail to better understand 14-year-olds. I welcome the insights.
🕉️ Mantra of the moment
My mantra is “The secret is not to care!” While that sounds kind of cold-hearted, what I mean when I say it to myself is that the act of creating something and being bold and vulnerable is inherently valuable. It’s also a huge risk and you can be criticized or made to feel embarrassed for it. There’s power in deciding to join a long line of creatives who, throughout history, have decided the value was worth the risk. But it’s not easy, not for me at least. And so I bolster myself with that phrase often. It helps me grab myself by the labia and stay confident.
💸 The value of generosity
There are a few people who offered me real support and generosity before I had anything to really offer them back. Ones who come to mind are Exene Cervenka and Janeane Garofalo. They taught me the value of not just being generous out of self interest, and have inspired me to support people who may need a boost when I’m able.
📚 Favorite books to read (while laying in bed with a cat)
My favorite way to consume content these days is quietly, laying in bed, cat on my lap.
I feel really excited and grateful that life is so full and active these days that I feel justified in lying down (not often but sometimes) and reading a book. Lately it’s been James Baldwin’s Dark Days, a graphic novel by James Spooner called The High Desert, Maria Bamford’s Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult, Billy Childish’s My Fault (that’s a HARD read!), and a couple of Leo Tolstoy parables. As you may be able to tell, I still don’t quite feel justified in just lying down and NOT doing anything. Baby steps.
💅🏽 Style over fashion
I’m not into fashion, but I’m a BIG fan of style. If you know what I mean. Give me Iris Apfel any day. Or Edie Sedgwick dancing in a leotard and black tights. Or Debbie Harry wearing a handmade pillowcase dress. Or any number of fantastical Karen O creations. I try to only buy used clothes these days because I’m a fan of the planet and hope it lasts a long time, despite our best efforts.
Follow Ali on Instagram & Linkedin and check out her book here.