Illustration by Andreas Hykade. Courtesy of Chris Robinson.

Ramble Bamble Preamble
Stephanie Maxwell's work gets me. Her work is fuelled by a breathless, giddy energy and passion that seeps through every whore of a pore. Like a child, she is excited by a seemingly minute discovery — like an anthill, river or a rock. Maxwell's work is an extension of that explorative part of our childhood. She has a tenacious fascination with the natural world; a world that too many of us (myself included) have left behind in favor of simulated realities.

Fragments
Family worked in Hollywood in the movie industry. Didn't want to do it. It wasn't interesting to me. Spent a lot of time on movie sets.

A vacation without tourist markers, just the peripheral sights, sounds and sensations experienced whether it's trolls in Norway (Nocturne), night driving (Driving Abstractions), water, or time itself (Time streams).

During the summer we camped a lot because it was cheaper to camp than pay rent. We'd catch fish for dinner. Brother and I would split a wetsuit and we'd spear trout. We'd snorkel and catch dinner. My mom would buy peaches and potatoes.

Time Streams = my time is not your time but it is THE time.

Was interested in science and math. Went in and out of college. Spent time overseas, under the pretext of going to school, but then quit and traveled. Painting and collaging and trying to make myself an artist at the same time studying science because it was an aesthetic experience.

I'd been diving since I was 12. It was so incredible underwater. Studied marine biology. All the crud I'd see underwater… all this stuff under the water that I didn't understand as a teenager I learned were colonies of incredible organisms.

The whole physical sensation of being in this other place. After a while I felt completely at home. It was very second nature to me. That also gave me an experience to create these other experiences… you really feel it. I know what it is to be in other places. Cinematically, you go for a ride, create other places. It was so visually beautiful as well. It was escape into beauty and color and difference.

Connecting with disconnectedness.

We went on a lot of car trips… as a town was approachin'… they'd say… it's coming… and I'd drop down in the car and look up… and I'd see the lights of the town flashing above me… and then they'd be gone. That was entertainment for me. Sometimes I'd only concentrate on only my peripheral stuff.

I lived in an abstract world because it was fun.

They called me the ‘philosopher' in class. Sewed my own clothes. Do I become a scientist or do art? Artists were more fun.

Used to find film in the streets and would chew on it.

Biology, geology, science, diving… real hands on-ness… working small, crafts, sewing… I loved watching ants. I'd stalk ants to find out what they do. I was always looking small.

Patterns and colors of minerals. Gems. Patterns of rocks. I still love it. Looking at what's out there. I love to beachcomb.