Thirty illuminating profiles of working artists sharing the influences and experiences that inspire them to create art in America today

This compelling volume explores the practices and life stories of artists across multiple mediums, including painting, photography, sculpture and land art. Offering readers an intimate, contemplative view of each remarkable creator, Why I Make Art examines themes as varied as music and skateboarding, immigration and statelessness, community and identity.
Gathered from the archives of Sound & Vision, a podcast directed by American artist and educator Brian Alfred, Why I Make Art presents interviews with artists conducted between 2016 and 2020—four tumultuous years in America and around the world.
Artists include: Diana Al-Hadid, Jules de Balincourt, Dove Bradshaw, Gregory Crewdson, Heather Day, Inka Essenhigh, Amir H. Fallah, Louis Fratino, Dominique Fung, Karel Funk, vanessa german, Allison Janae Hamilton, Loie Hollowell, Kahlil Robert Irving, Clinton King, Chris Martin, Tony Matelli, Tomokazu Matsuyama, Geoff McFetridge, Maysha Mohamedi, Liz Nielsen, Helen O’Leary, Carl Ostendarp, Hilary Pecis, Erin M. Riley, Devan Shimoyama, James Siena, Cauleen Smith, Salman Toor and Robin F. Williams.

Introduction by: Brian Alfred
Foreword by: Hrishikesh Hirway