the following interview is by Angelica Paez and was posted on her blog Scrapatorium on November 27, 2007. Scraptorium is dedicated to the art of cut and paste collage. Angelica also another blog, Scrapateria, on which artists post collages in response to weekly themes.

An Interview with Barbara Levine

Tell me a little about yourself.

Imagine a house with many rooms: in one room there are the collections of stuff including antique toys and games, vintage photographs, ephemera and lots of things accumulated over the years at flea markets that my partner says “yeah its awesome and it goes in your room!”; off to the left is my office where I work with colleagues all over the world (usually via internet) on museum and cultural center exhibitions and publications (I was in the museum field for over twenty years and now I work as a consultant); the rooms throughout the house reflect my interest in contemporary art and photography; another room - never as big as in my imagination - is my studio which is usually a jumble of all the above and whatever it is at the moment that has captured my imagination-- working on my own art, making a book, (always) tinkering on my website - oh and did I say, I just moved to Mexico?!

What made you take up collage? How long have you been doing it?

I actually don't remember when I first started making collage -- it feels like forever. When I was a kid my nose was always buried in comic books and magazines and I think the impulse to look at pictures and text in various ways began then. I don't think I was exposed to the 'art' of cutting and pasting or did it myself until I was in art school. That was 24 years ago.

Do you remember your first collage and if so, what was it?

I don't remember because I first made assemblages. Those first pieces though always incorporated ephemera. At the same time I was in art school I was a flea market rat - I loved finding old catalogues and photographs and the designs in vintage advertising (I still love it) and so the old paper stuff always found its way into my work.

Who is your favorite collage artist?

There are so many and it changes -- the rock stars or course, Ernst, Jess, Cornell, Hamilton, Raul Hausmann, I am also very influenced by Bruce Conner, Robert Rauschenberg, Warhol, Kurt Schwitters and lately, I have been inspired by Jorge Galindo. There is so much great collage being done now and I especially am interested in contemporary collage that uses photographs.

What type of subject matter do you like to use in your work?

My subject matter tends to be about illusion and the suspension of disbelief. I also love to work with candy wrappers and poodle dogs come up alot.

What is your favorite glue?

'Yes' glue

How often do you collage?

Hard to answer since I can go for a long time without doing any collage (or any art) and then all of a sudden I am in it and making a lot in a short period of time. I work very fast. One of the reasons I joined Scrapiteria is because I enjoy making collage and being part of a group encourages me to spend more time making new work.

Have you ever sold your work?

Yes. I also like to trade with other artists.

Where do you collage?

Well, since in reality I don't have a big house with lots of rooms, I do everything in one room. It is a nice big room and no one is allowed in but me!

What advice would you give a collage newbie?

Look at the Surrealists. Their work is inspiring and breaks all the rules. Look at a lot of work (old and new) because quickly you see there is a big visual vocabulary out there and anything goes!

Any last words of wisdom?

Sometimes it can be helpful to make collages in a notebook. Having a format can help to not get distracted with size or presentation; collages in a notebook are easy to take care and store and, you don't have to show anyone if you don't want to.