Arlene Rush defends Chelsea studio amid real estate pressure

New York-based artist Arlene Rush (b. 1955) has maintained her studio in the West Chelsea Art Building since 1986, when the neighborhood was still industrial. Over nearly four decades, she has witnessed the arrival of galleries, the High Line, and rising real estate pressure that now threatens the building housing over a hundred studios and galleries. Rush's multidisciplinary practice, which she describes as conceptual and rooted in reality, tackles themes of rejection, feminism, the aging body, and civic activism. Her project 'Evidence of Being' displays her rejection letters to foster community and transparency. Rush has also used NFTs and mask-making during the pandemic. She advocates for nonprofit models and tax incentives to preserve artist spaces, arguing that artists bring life to neighborhoods but are pushed out by gentrification. She recalls signing her early steel sculptures as 'A. Rush' to avoid gender bias, later reclaiming her full name. Rush practices Buddhism and studied philosophy of religion, which she says informs her openness and curiosity. She defines success not as awards but as maintaining a living practice, studio, and genuine exchanges. The interview was conducted by Antonino La Vela for Artribune.