“The essence of a dream…”
Paul Zimmerman in conversation with Jimmy Aponte
Paul Zimmerman: How did you get interested in photography?
Jimmy Aponte: I was given a camera while working for a production in the early 2000’s. I was naturally good at it and was encouraged to keep on shooting.
PZ: What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
JA: The most challenging aspect of my work would be the mixing of colors. When painting over photographs, blending the same colors is needed to hide all the mistakes.
PZ: Do you have any particular goal in mind when you start a new series?
JA: When creating a new series, the main goal is to stun and captivate the public. So then they want to own one or two pieces.
PZ: The city and its people seem to be main characters of your work. Why are they important for you?
JA: Considering that I was born and raised in New York City, this is all I know. Also snapping shots while commuting back and forth from work was effortless back in the day.
PZ: Has your practice changed over time?
JA: My practice of taking photographs has evolved to painting over selected images. Giving the final works the essence of a dream.
PZ: Which artists are you most influenced by?
JA: I’m really not influenced by other artist. I’m more influenced by the beauty or movement of a scene, symmetry, colors and happiness.
PZ: How would you define yourself as an artist?
JM: I’ll leave that to the critics.
PZ: What are you working on now?
JA: I’m currently working on a 12 piece painted soup series; which will eventually turn into a calender.
PZ: How did the pandemic influence your work and sensibility?
JA: That time forced me to think out of the box and step into an uncomfortable zone. Having tons of time on my hands I experimented with different mediums and concepts.
PZ: What message would you like to send to the world?
JA: There is no right or wrong way to make art. You just gotta pump it OUT of your system and share with others!
Paul Zimmerman is an art critic and writer living in New York City.