"Each Fobot is numbered, with a copper plate on its back bearing the word "FOBOT" and its individual number. We call them butt tags. Not all Fobots open up, but if they do--they get a heart inside", as described on Amy's website. Isn't that exciting?Let's know more interesting things about Amy and her FOBOTS in the interview below:
Amy, please introduce yourself to E-junkies.
Hi, I'm Amy Flynn, and I am the creator of FOBOTS--Found Object Robots.
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| Bebe |
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| King Ponzi |
Enlighten us with your wonderful artwork.
I search the world for cool, vintage junk, and then solder and bolt my finds together to make one-of-a-kind sculptures. Almost all of the parts are vintage and recycled, and people are always asking me if any two are alike--I couldn't make two the same if I WANTED to! Another hallmark of my work is that every piece is a little wonky, with one eye bigger than the other, mismatched arms and legs, stuff like that. Symmetry is boring. I have a favorite quote that reads "We like our friends for their virtues, but we love them for their flaws". I think it makes my robots more endearing, more human.
I search the world for cool, vintage junk, and then solder and bolt my finds together to make one-of-a-kind sculptures. Almost all of the parts are vintage and recycled, and people are always asking me if any two are alike--I couldn't make two the same if I WANTED to! Another hallmark of my work is that every piece is a little wonky, with one eye bigger than the other, mismatched arms and legs, stuff like that. Symmetry is boring. I have a favorite quote that reads "We like our friends for their virtues, but we love them for their flaws". I think it makes my robots more endearing, more human.
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| Dr. Who |
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| Malcolm |
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| The Syrup King |
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| Playbot |
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| Artemisia |
You make use of junk to create Fobots. Is it a part of making an noble move towards environment or you like the way junk materials add beauty to your sculptures?
Can't it be both?
Can't it be both?
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| B Movie Extra |
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| Hubert |
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| Weatherhead |
Of course! So, how did you become passionate for creating Fobots?
Well, I've always had a weird fixation with robots, and I love flea markets. Eventually, the two came together, like chocolate and peanut butter. Actually, the first FOBOTS were made from junk in my basement. We have an old house--1920--and the basement is just full of "spare parts". The very first bot was made out of the original doorbell of the house, and when I started running out of basement junk, I started hitting the flea markets.
Well, I've always had a weird fixation with robots, and I love flea markets. Eventually, the two came together, like chocolate and peanut butter. Actually, the first FOBOTS were made from junk in my basement. We have an old house--1920--and the basement is just full of "spare parts". The very first bot was made out of the original doorbell of the house, and when I started running out of basement junk, I started hitting the flea markets.
I've been an artist all my life, and had been working freelance as an illustrator for a variety of companies for years. But when the economy started to tank, my freelance work started to dry up. Clients were going bankrupt, failing to pay me for work completed, and I was going crazy. My husband encouraged me to take a few weeks off until things picked up (HAH!) and make some robots. "You're so much happier when you're making your robots" were, I believe, his exact words. I did, and I've never been happier.
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| Comet 3.0 |
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| Swifty |
Do you find it sometimes difficult to collect junk materials for sculpting Fobots?
Challenging would be a better word. But that's what makes it fun--it's the thrill of the hunt. I tell people at the art festivals that I sell at that this combines my two greatest passions--creating art and shopping.
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| Fobodillo |
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| Wall-E.T |
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| Madame Chairperson |
By what process your sculptors go through?
Is it you plot the idea first or is it you create sculptors on the basis of materials you find? It's all about the junk. I'm totally inspired by (and at the mercy of) the junk I find. When I find a piece I like, I lay it down on a big table in my workshop, and start mixing and matching different arms, legs, heads, hats, bling, etc., until I have everything gathered that I need. This part can take minutes, or it can take months. When everything looks "right", THEN I put it all together.
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| Hitch |
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| Wimpy |
Your Fobots look very charming! Which one is your favorite?
I try not to play favorites, but since I started writing this, my favorite one has sold. It's "Acrobot".
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| Acrobat |
What are the other things that interests you?
My other passion is acting in community theater, believe it or not. Art is a very solitary pursuit, so it's always been fun to get out in the evening and rehearse or perform in a play. You end up making a new family with every show, and the friendships last long after the curtain goes down.
Share the best compliment you've ever received for your work.
I don't tend to remember compliments, or fully believe them. I do, however, remember every negative comment. My favorite was a guy who walked into my booth at an art fair, and said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear "I don't get it. I just don't get it". I was a little hurt, until I found out he was performing his little act of superiority in EVERYONE'S booth.
What message do you have for our readers?
Find out what you love doing. Then DO IT! No excuses.
Amy, you're doing a wonderful job. Your Fobots are really charming! Thanks for taking out time to talk to us. It has been a pleasure. We wish you all the very best for your future endeavors.
Check out more FOBOTS at ifobot.com.
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