Sculpture, Space, and the Art of Letting Go

Artist x Artist: Jessica Stockholder x Julia Dault at MOCA

On April 14, I went to the Paradise Theatre for a special event organized by MOCA Toronto. The evening was a conversation between two well-known artists, Jessica Stockholder and Julia Dault, moderated by MOCA’s Artistic Director, Rui Mateus Amaral. They spoke about how they create art, how they work with space and materials, and how they deal with the unknown parts of the creative process.

Jessica talked about how important it is to let go of control when making art. She said that creating something new often means working through uncomfortable moments and not always knowing what will happen next.

“There are lots of different ways of knowing… Visual art does something that words don’t.”

She explained that the materials she uses are not neutral. They have a background: Someone designed them, made them in a factory, and used them in the world. So, when she uses those materials, it brings other people’s ideas into her art.

Julia said she doesn’t fully plan her paintings. She finds the final image as she goes, and sometimes she doesn’t even know the painting is finished until she feels it in her body.

“I feel like if you don't surprise yourself, there's just no point.”

She explained that a painting is done when she gets a certain feeling, an instinct, not a decision based on logic. This way of working allows her to stay open to change and discovery as she creates.

The artists also talked about working in MOCA’s ground-floor space. It’s not like a regular white-walled gallery. There are columns, windows, and lots of activity. Instead of hiding those things, they chose to include them in their work. Jessica said it was one of the most enjoyable installations she’s done. Julia used the chance to create a large curtain piece she had been thinking about for a long time.

One idea that really stuck with me was how Julia talked about her relationship with materials. She used the term material reciprocity to describe the balance between what she wants to do and what the material allows. She often works with bright, glossy plastic sheets that catch the eye, materials she’s drawn to instinctively.

But her process isn’t only about aesthetics. It's also physical. Her sculptures are large and light, attached to the wall with just a few screws. They rely on gravity and tension, not strong adhesives. She explained that she likes to test the limits of what the material can handle. If a piece ever fell during an exhibition, she would leave it on the floor. That wouldn’t be a failure; it would mean the material had “won”. For Julia, making art means listening to what the material can and can’t do, and allowing that conversation to shape the final form.

“I like to see the sculptures as the exact meeting point between my force and the material.”

The talk gave me a new way of thinking about art, not just how it looks but also how it’s made and how artists work with uncertainty. Jessica and Julia were both open, curious, and thoughtful. I left thinking about how important it is to let go sometimes and how even a difficult space can shape something meaningful.

Jessica Stockholder’s exhibition The Squared Circle: Ringing is now open at MOCA Toronto.

Visit the exhibition: https://moca.ca/exhibitions/jessica-stockholder/