Contemporary artist Tom Sachs has opened up about his creative philosophy and work ethic in a recent interview, sharing insights on how he approaches his artistic practice. The discussion comes amid ongoing scrutiny following workplace allegations that emerged in 2023 and affected his long-standing partnership with Nike.
Sachs emphasized the importance of hard work in his creative process, describing it as a meditative practice that leads to breakthrough moments. "Hard work becomes like a meditation, and this is when innovation and accident occur, like genetic mutations in nature," the artist explained. His comments reflect his belief in disciplined labor over spontaneous creativity, suggesting that meaningful artistic developments emerge through sustained effort rather than sudden inspiration.
The artist's career has been marked by significant collaborations, particularly with Nike on sneaker design projects. However, this partnership faced serious challenges in 2023 when former studio employees came forward with allegations of a toxic workplace culture. The accusations, reported by Curbed, described what former assistants called a "scary and destabilizing culture" at Sachs' studio, including claims of bullying and sexual harassment.
Nike, which had been a longtime collaborator with Sachs, initially expressed being "deeply concerned" with the allegations in March 2023. By May 2023, the company signaled that it was no longer working with the artist, effectively ending their partnership. Sachs subsequently offered what some observers characterized as a "half-apology" for the alleged toxic studio culture, drawing comparisons to similar responses from other controversial figures.
Despite the controversy, Sachs' artistic work continues to garner attention. His projects have ranged from space-themed installations to surf culture explorations at his Rockaway Beach studio. Notable works include pieces celebrating Star Wars and Mexican mezcal culture, as well as his "Space Camp" training program on Governors Island, where he explored themes of object equality and interplanetary design.
The recent developments represent a significant shift for an artist known for his meticulous methods and collaborative approach to large-scale projects. As the art world continues to grapple with workplace culture issues, Sachs' situation highlights the ongoing tension between artistic achievement and professional conduct standards.
