Nathan’s C@rtwright:
Interview with Jason Hadley and Fern Argyle
by Nathan Cartwright

Artist Jason Hadley has teamed up with beer guzzling, art crunching, cigarette stabbing Fern Argile in their first ever collaborative show at The Hive Gallery and Studios in May. Jason is known for his inventive mixed media structures and involvement in The Los Angeles Cacophony Society and the robot performance group, Robochrist. Fern, on the other hand, seems reluctant to talk at any length about herself or her art. “It’s just what I do. I don’t sit around crying about it. I put the paint on the board and move it until it works. Or else I chop the bastard up and start over.” After a pause she admits, “I don’t do that so much anymore.”

Nathan Cartwright: Fern and Jason- you are complete opposites! How did you come to collaborate on your Hive Gallery show?

Jason: I wouldn’t say we are opposites. Fern and I have a lot in common. We’ve talked about doing something together for—well, ever since we met at the Ramada Inn. There was a party—long story. Anyway, Fern is the real deal. I think it’s going to be fun.

Fern: Yeah, we’ll see about that.

NC: Fern, how has beer guzzlin’ and your troubled past influenced your intense imagery?

Fern: What kind of question is that? Cripes, somebody takes one crap photo of me doing a beer bong and now I’m a troubled drunk. Who is this guy? Blow me!

Jason: Ha ha.

NC: Jason, how did you get so obsessed with mummification and mechanics?

Jason: I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed really. Well, maybe. Most of the mummies I’ve used in my stuff were found in Oklahoma in attics or under houses. They’re really beautiful so I started making little environments for them. As for the mechanical thing I guess I like to make art that has an interactive aspect to it. You have to touch it to make it come to life. Maybe it lights up or moves or just makes a bunch of horrible noise. You don’t know until you push the button.

NC: Fern, what are your plans for the May 7th Hive Gallery show?

Fern: Hell, I don’t know. Hadley thinks we should do paintings of each other, which sounds pretty cheesy to me. Whatever. He’s gonna do most of the work cause its like a huge wall and shit. I got my own crap to worry about.

Fern and Jason’s collaboration will be opening The Hive’s new “Featured artist 2 Wall” on May 5th-26th. In the meantime, come by The Hive’s Two Year Anniversary show themed, “The Birds and The Bees” opening April 7th, 8PM-12:30AM with up to 100 artists from around the country making original art loosely based on that theme, 10 live performances, 4 Featured artists and more! Check www.thehivegallery.com for more info.

Jeff’s work can be seen at The Hive Gallery opening April 7th-29th. For questions, contact Nathan Cartwright at or check our website for upcoming programs and shows at www.thehivegallery.com.