In the conversation with Amy Friend, the artist discusses her creative process, the influence of her personal experiences on her work, and the themes of loss, longing, and home that pervade her art. Her childhood experiences, growing up in a neighbourhood populated by immigrants, and the stories she heard from them deeply influenced her work. She emphasizes the importance of play, openness, and letting go of control in creating art. She also discusses her fascination with old photographs and how she uses them in her work. Friend shares her perspective on artistic community, rejection, and the role of literary magazines in fostering dialogue and inspiration.

This episode is part of a deep dive into the creation of Room magazine issue 46.3, where I was the lead editor. (You can check out the full run of episodes, starting with Episode #80.)

Amy Friend’s art truly resonates with me on a deep level of nostalgia and grief, and this is also because of the incredible artistry she uses with photographs, turning those difficult experiences into beauty.

Even after over a decade of editing for Room, we're vibing in those themes of loss and longing. I spoke with Amy Friend about how she makes her photographs, what draws her to these themes, and how photography as a medium inherently communicates memory, loss, and absence.

All of the notes for this episode are up at rachelthompson.co/86

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