Elizabeth Duffy is a multidisciplinary artist whose current work explores the subject of incarceration and its intersection with domestic life. Her work is influenced by feminist art, interior decoration and craft, and the complicated ideals of home. She is the 2019 RISCA Fellow in Three Dimensional Art, and Merit Fellow in Craft.
We asked her a few questions about her life and art-making in Rhode Island for our series, Rhode Island Cultural Anchors.
RISCA: What do you love about the art community/scene in Rhode Island?
ED: I love how Rhode Island embraces artists who live here. I 
love that space is affordable, so you can have a decent studio (with a window!) to make work. I came here from New York City 13 years ago, and I’ve felt the resources and engaged community here have really helped me find new directions in my work. I’m fascinated by the long history of making in Rhode Island, and the way those spaces and tools are being reused to make art. Anything feels possible in Rhode Island.
RISCA: What are you the most excited about right now in your art practice?
ED: I’ve been so inspired by the myriad historic spaces in and around Rhode Island. I love historic house museums and sites and these have motivated me to explore the role of place in my work more deeply.
RISCA: Why do you do what you do? What inspires you, drives you, to create or enable the creation of art?
ED: I’m in awe of the majestic beauty that surrounds us here in Rhode Island–its natural beauty and its architecture is inspiring. I’m also driven to make work about social justice issues & I want my work to reflect the fury in our national conversation, past and present.