#71: Chloe Adams

We're joined by artist, Chloe, who tells us more about thrifted Harley Davidson boots, being a gluten intolerant major foodie, The Phantom of the Opera (2004), and so much more.

“I find it difficult to introduce myself as an artist, but that’s what I’ve been studying towards for the past four years. So, I am a Fine Arts student at the Michaelis School of fine arts. I majored in printmaking for a few years, but the printmaking to sculpture pipeline is so direct. Now, I work sculpturally with textiles and clay to make these weird, lovely things that make me so happy. My current body of work investigates embodied trauma and the bed as a site of birth, death, trauma and love. One day I hope to be a curator, for now, I’m loving being a student and creating things that make me happy. Sometimes, I DJ – but I use the term loosely because my dad is a DJ, and I definitely cannot do what he does. I’ve lived in Cape Town my whole life, but in the Southern Suburbs, where everything is quieter, slower, and greener. Being in the city is a welcome change, but I love going back to the suburbs when Town gets overstimulating.”

We welcome Chloe to The FRM Newsletter to share what they’ve been into recently!

👗👢 Fashion

I really don’t know what my style is. I’m a thrifter at heart and I love a good-quality hand-me-down. I think any item of clothing can be styled differently depending on who’s wearing it. I probably rotate between five staple outfits, so call me an outfit repeater, but nothing beats finding that perfect, comfortable ensemble. At the moment, my favourite shoes are these Harley Davidson boots my friend sold to me (@unclebthrifts). Although they’re not practical for daily wear, they make every outfit look a lot cuter. Accessories make or break an outfit, but again, I stick with my tried-and-true pieces. All my jewellery are sentimental pieces gifted to me by loved ones, and I never take them off. I have an unhealthy attachment to a chunky, rose-quartz ring I bought myself years ago – ask anyone and they’ll confirm never having seen me without it. I think mixing silver and gold is not as sinful as some make it out to be – I tend to wear silver hoops, one silver bracelet and everything else is gold. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to my dream outfits. Think cool-girl, Copenhagen casual vibes. I don’t know if that made much sense, but I’m obsessed with strange silhouettes. Mixing a puffy skirt with a high-neck, slim-fit top. Also, I think everyone should have at least one reliable jacket, skirt and jean. You can do so much with just those three items. Besides Pinterest, a lot of my fashion inspiration comes from my friends (and TikTok, of course). I have stylish friends, all with different senses of style. So, I like to see how they uniquely wear items of clothing and try and adopt those same techniques. My friends are sexy, cool and smart – it must be known.

👩‍🌾🎻 Music

I grew up with a dad in the music industry and a mom who would do anything to be transported back to the 90s… so I’ve been inundated with different genres of music all my life. Right now, a song I’m playing on repeat is Cannock Chase, by Labi Siffre (1972). It’s smooth, a little bit folky and the ultimate song to have on repeat during my morning bus ride. Other than that, Sade is my girl, through and through. Some of my friends call me Sade and I think that is the ultimate compliment. Her voice is unmatched, and she has a song for every moment of existentialism, heartbreak and joy. Erykah Badu, Anita Baker, Luther Vandross, Bill Withers… they all take up space on my Spotify. I switch between these old-school talents and newer artists, like The Marias and Men I Trust. Tyler the Creator and Steve Lacy have carried me through the past few years. My dad has heaps of old house playlists that I adore and reference when I DJ with my friend Brook-Lynn.

🎨🌐 Art

Saying I’m an artist feels simultaneously pretentious and untrue. The imposter syndrome is rife, but I know I need to get comfortable with this label. Whilst studying at Michaelis I have met many artists that I used to admire from afar. Dominique Edwards, my supervisor, is an incredible sculptor who makes these beautiful, soft and sensitive pieces that I really resonate with. Stephané Conradie, a printmaker and sculptor, has been an amazing mentor and I admire her work. Other artists I’ve been loving are Alka Dass, Talia Ramkilawan, Shradha Kochhar and Gerda Scheepers.

🎭📽 Movies

Okay this is easy, Chloe’s top five movies:

1. The Phantom of the Opera (2004), (which I would do anything to see live).

2. Coraline (2009) (It is not scary, and I will argue with anyone who thinks so. It’s a work of art.)

3. Pride and Prejudice (2005), (I cry every time I watch it).

4. Inception (2010), (art imitates life, you know?).

5. Howl’s Moving Castle (2004), (no comment necessary, here.) 

If anyone asks me what my favourite movies are, this is my immediate response. There are probably movies I’ve watched that I have enjoyed more, or at least as much as these… but these have stuck with me throughout the years. Sometimes, I let Twilight (2008-2012) take a spot on that list, but Twilight and I have a complicated relationship because I really can’t stand Edward Cullen on a good day.

I also advocate for everyone to watch New Girl (2011-2018). It was the only thing that made me laugh out loud during lockdown (I laughed so hard; my mom came to check in on me). The Bear (2022), I think it goes without saying, but it’s truly a masterpiece and Ayo Edibiri is sensational. Bob’s Burgers (2011) is my and my sister’s favourite show, I’m 100% Tina Belcher and I’m okay with that. Also, my mom let me watch CSI: Las Vegas (2000-2015) when I was far too young, and I don’t blame her for it, it’s a great show and almost convinced me I could be a crime scene investigator (impossible, I do not have the stomach for that). I could go on about all the best TV series, but I won’t, sorry. I have watched way too many.

🌹📔 Books

I love reading. Right now, my body of work at Michaelis is motivated by the book The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk (2014). It’s more of an academic read, which I enjoy.

I’m going to be vulnerable here, but I can’t deny that a silly, smutty, cheesy romance is the way to my heart. I just read two of Emily Henry’s books, Happy Place (2023) was nice, but not as nice (and spicy) as You and Me on Vacation (2021). I mean, the titles pretty much speak for themselves, you know? I’m a ‘lover girl’ in her happily single girl era, so reading about romance is better than experiencing it, for now. When I’m not in the mood for romance, any psychological thriller will do the trick. A book that I recommend to almost everyone is The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides (2019). I need a book that grabs my attention from the start, also preferably one I can’t predict my way through.

🍳🍝 Food

I’m lactose and gluten intolerant, but I’m also a major ‘foodie,’ so this makes for a disastrous dinner date. My favourite dessert of all time is my aunt’s peppermint crisp tart, which is not lactose free, but I’ve never tasted one as good as hers. As much as I love sushi, I once tried and failed miserably at an all-you-can-eat, nevertheless it is still one of my favourite foods. My mom’s bacon pasta… I could eat it every day. My go-to breakfast is French toast – no cinnamon and no syrup – why would you want to distract yourself from a perfectly good eggy-bread? Keeping on theme with ignoring my food intolerances, Sirocco in Kalk Bay makes an incredible caramel cheesecake and the truffle pizza at Pizza Shed is the best pizza I’ve ever had (not open to suggestions).

🚶‍♀️🌎 Travel & lifestyle

I have yet to travel outside of the country, but I’m a big believer in doing so. I like to move around, to explore and be out of my comfort zone. My favourite memories are going to Yzerfontein every couple of months with these old friends from High School. We were teenagers left alone in a house, with a braai and a pub in walking distance. We met some strange people, and some people I still connect with, today. It felt like we were adults for a weekend, and it was awesome. I’ve done most of my travelling in the country with friends and it’s always been the most fun. You come home to your mom with a new piercing and very redacted stories about the stupid shit you got up to. I think I’d give a lot to go back to those weekends away. For now, I’m looking forward to going to Joburg for the Art Fair in September. I haven’t been there since I was a kid and now it feels like this big place where anything could happen. I’m slightly nervous and mostly excited.

There is something to be said about enjoying where you are, even spatially. Cape Town is my home, and it feels like every week I discover something new, here. I’ve been frequenting Babbi and One Park, both of which have great music, amazing food and beautiful company.

Pro tip: walk whenever you can. Studying in town has its downfalls, but it’s forced me to get comfortable with doing things by myself. Taking a walk from Kloof, down to Bree and beyond, lead me to discover new spots to hangout by myself. I think taking yourself for a coffee, or on a date to the museums and galleries, is the best form of self-care. There’s so much to do in this city and so much of it can be enjoyed alone. This is not to say I don’t like spending time with people! Girl’s night is my favourite night and it usually consists of eating and dancing – an unbeatable combo.

🧠💌 Some tips

1. Believe in yourself. Like, get delusional with it. You are your biggest enemy at times. So, try and be your biggest supporter. Convince yourself every day that you are capable of anything and be so self-confident that no one can change your mind.

2. Make time for your family and friends, always. They love you as much as you love them, but all relationships require work. So, make the effort and show them how much you care.

3. Surround yourself with love and joy as much as possible. So much of your life is in your control. Don’t allow anything into your life that robs you of your joy.

4. Do not believe everything everyone says. Be smart, be careful and know who you can trust.

5. Try not to lose sight of what you have by constantly working towards what you don’t. Life is short and beautiful, don’t waste time on stressing about what’s missing. 

6. HAVE FUN! Be silly, be ‘loud’, be young at heart and don’t force a mysterious disposition.