Day Job: William Stamos
By Jon Whiten • Sep 28th, 2006 • Category: Arts
William Stamos makes art that is most certainly surreal, and at times fantastical – some of his paintings look like they could be the cover of a weird, tripped-out underground sci-fi book. The 53-year-old artist from Jersey City says his goal is “to blur the boundaries between ‘inner’ space and ‘outer’ space,” and he does, as his work seems to simultaneously take you to around the cosmos and through the inner depths of your psyche.
Day job: Retail manager and bookseller in Manhattan.
What’s the worst or most interesting thing that’s happened to you at work?
Getting up on a ladder to extinguish a fire engulfing a huge ceiling light, while customers were standing around reading, shopping, and talking as if nothing unusual was happening.
Does work ever conflict with your art?
Yes, all too often. I work full-time. I would like to be able to support myself working only two or three days per week, and devote much more time on artistic pursuits.
Do you have health insurance?
Yes
Who are the three people you’d most like to have at one of your shows, in terms of helping your art career?
Stephen Hawking, Dr. Fiorella Terenzi, and Ram Dass.
If Wal-Mart approached you about using your work in an ad, for a large sum, would you do it?
It depends on the ad, but probably yes. I’d like to think that in some way, I could help make Wal-Mart a more progressive company, and use this large sum of money for a good purpose.
Any additional thoughts on the conflicts and intersections of work and art?
I have met a variety of amazing and interesting people in the workplace, and these interactions have enriched my life in many ways. However, a full-time job is too much of an energy-drain on any artist. Ideally, the number of hours I spent working and making art would be reversed.
On the Web: William Stamos
Videos
Day Job is a weekly column examining the contradictions, conflicts and convergence between work and art. We’re always looking for new people to profile. If you or someone you know fits the bill, email jwhiten (at) gmail.com.
Like what you've read here? Please consider making a donation or becoming a sustaining member. As a grassroots news organization, we rely on community support -- as well as paid advertising -- to survive.
Jon Whiten is the founding editor of the Jersey City Independent; he now works for a public-policy nonprofit in Trenton.
Email this author | All posts by Jon Whiten
