SICILIA
ARTIST, @sisiliapiring
The Tucson-based creative chatted with us about her Tumblr beginnings, the magic of film photography and what to wear on a year-long cross-country road trip.
In recognition of Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Madewell donated $5,000 on Sisilia’s behalf to Compassion in SGV, a volunteer organization created to support and protect the Asian communities in San Gabriel, California.
LET’S TALK
Feat. Sisilia Piring
Describe your style in three words.
Playful, comfortable, easy.
What does denim mean to you?
Denim is part of my uniform, my avatar if you will. In 2019, my family took a year to travel the country in a vintage camper and made so many wonderful memories. I love knowing that I still own those same few pairs of jeans that traveled the country with me.
How did you get into photography?
Photography piqued my interest while I was still in middle school. My dad had given me a film camera and then my first digital camera. I documented everything and shared it on a blog. Then I started dressing up my friends and making conceptual shoots—my photos got noticed on Tumblr and I started shooting with agency models and artists, and it just took off from there.
You shoot on both film and digital—what influences your decision to choose one method over the other?
These days I don’t shoot much client work with film unless it’s directly asked from a client. I keep those moments for when I’m off duty and I’m photographing and documenting mundane everyday moments with my family and friends.
What does film provide that digital doesn’t?
Film has gorgeous tones and colors, and it’s intentional—you’re not just snapping a hundred photos just to get a handful of good ones. You treat it differently, and that makes it even more alluring and special.
Tell us about your creative process—what do you do to get yourself into that headspace?
I love analog, so it’s pen to paper. I write down words or scenes that I’ve been playing around in my head, and if it’s a client shoot, I look at the creative brief and gather ideas that way. I doodle or have a Pinterest board and use that as my navigation—visual triggers and moods that I want to convey.
How have your Indonesian roots inspired your art?
Being born in a third world country and growing up in America was such a juxtaposition. The contrast of experiencing two cultures inspires how I view things and what I’m drawn to.
What does diversity and representation mean to you as a photographer?
It means giving people a voice. Growing up, I didn’t see people like me on television or hear success stories of people like me in the mainstream. I didn’t have a role model that looked like me that I could look up to. I’m happy that I’m seeing more diversity in the mainstream media these days. People have voices. They’re sharing their stories and that’s empowering.
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