Patrick Oliphant is an editorial cartoonist, the winner of the 1966 Pulitzer Prize, and the Roy Lichtenstein Artist in Residence at the American Academy in Rome.
What part of the United States did you come from?
I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Santa Fe means “Holy Faith,” and I do not know why I am in a place with such a name, apart from the fact that it is beautiful.
Describe a particularly inspiring moment or location you've experienced in Rome thus far.
Just being at the Academy is SO inspiring, every single moment. Also for my wife Susan, who has started writing and works every day in the library
To what extent, if any, has your work changed since your arrival?
I am finally working on projects that I always wanted to work on but don’t often have time for. I am discovering things about my drawings that I was not aware of before. The space is great. I have a studio back home, but here it is so much better, I can put paper on a big wall. Thank you Adele!
Have you had any "eureka!" moments or unanticipated breakthroughs in the course of your work here?
Every moment of my work here is a "eureka" moment. I wish I could stay here longer to have more of these moments….
What aspect of your work are you most looking forward to?
Continue what I am doing here, i.e., not having deadlines, being able to work at my own pace. This is my first sabbatical since 1955.
What part of your project has been or do you anticipate will be the most challenging?
Finding a direction, discovering what is possible. The challenge will be to keep going after I go back. It is going to be really sad to leave here, you know….
What's surprised you most about living in Rome?
The whole place is full of surprises. If I have to name one, how people stay alive in Roman traffic is a real surprise.
How have you managed the balance between your work (time in the studio/study) and engagement with Rome and Italy (travel, sightseeing, interactions with locals)?
We love the Academy so much that we do not often leave this place, we want to be part of this community every day, as much as possible, not miss a single beat. We do as much sightseeing as possible, and the Academy does conduct wonderful visits to different locations.
How do you anticipate your time at the Academy will influence future work?
It will be a big influence. The Academy will be part of our life from now on. We wish to come back often.
What is your favorite spot at the Academy? or in Rome?
This is an unfair question, I cannot settle on any one thing. May be the Janiculum, where the Academy is. Rome from here is simply spectacular.