Hndsght Studio’s Andy Fovel on ‘Painting’ with Denim
For Brooklyn-based artist and designer Andy Fovel, fabrics are a conduit for creativity. His work pieces together textiles—including denim—into patchwork scenes. In addition to artwork, he uses upcycled materials for designs across fashion and home goods like denim jackets and chairs.
After moving to New York, Andy launched Hndsght Studio in 2020, drawing from and expanding on an idea he had in adolescence. The name partly comes from the idea of hindsight being 20/20, a nod to the founding year and the idea of looking back.
Carved in Blue caught up with Andy to discuss his relationship with denim, why textiles are his chosen medium and the importance of upcycling.
Carved in Blue: First off, could you briefly introduce yourself and Hndsght Studio?
Andy: Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, I’m a Brooklyn-based artist and designer currently focusing on textile works. Taking inspiration from an idea I had in sixth grade (2008) to draw a smiley face on the back of a hoodie, I started Hndsght in late 2020. This was led by my desire to take an unconventional path in my career while working in live music at the time. Starting as a hoodie brand, Hndsght has developed into a custom work/design studio where I work to consolidate the ideas in my scattered brain and bring them to life.
Carved in Blue: What led you to first start working with textiles? What made you fall in love with the medium?
Andy: While I was interested in clothing growing up, it was living in New York that brought out my desire to learn and create with textiles. Starting a brand and being surrounded by creative people naturally led to a deeper dive into the medium, especially since I’ve been making each piece over the years. Whether it was through fabric sourcing, buying vintage or spending time in stores, I began to learn through exposure.
My favorite thing about the medium is that it pays homage to my creative roots in clothing and fills a gap that I felt was missing in the creative world.
Carved in Blue: How would you describe your relationship with denim in particular? Do you consider yourself a denim head?
Andy: The connection began in my teens and early twenties, wearing denim while working in the trades. Later, after being introduced to fashion and art spaces around me, the relationship took a creative turn, somehow leading to the work I do now. Denim has been my go-to material because it’s versatile, comes in many washes and colors and gets better with age. I also enjoy the fact that I can use it to “paint” without picking up a brush.
I know there’s a strong denim community and levels to what it means to be a denim head. I like to think I know a good amount about denim, but I still have some things to learn before I will fully claim that title. [He laughs.]
Carved in Blue: Much of your work incorporates secondhand or discarded clothing. Why have you made upcycling a focus for your art?
Andy: I find that working with vintage or materials from past projects allows more of a story to be told in each piece. It’s an opportunity to bring different personal narratives together to create a single, unified work.
It also allows others—I hope—to understand that a lot of what could be considered unusable actually has potential. For me upcycling is a reminder that a lot of the time you already have the materials around you to bring an idea to life with a little creativity.
Carved in Blue: Your work spans both art and usable pieces like clothing and furniture. How do each of these two categories inform the other?
Andy: When working across different categories, the line can become a bit blurred at times, but for me, it comes down to feeling.
Deciding whether a design will exist on a wall, as clothing or a house good is an intuitive process. Certain concepts naturally work better as an open-ended art piece, while others feel better living within the confines of a jacket or furniture piece.
I like to keep things as dynamic as possible and avoid putting myself in a box.
Carved in Blue: To-date, which pieces are you most proud of?
Andy: I’m not sure I have specific favorites; I appreciate each piece for different reasons. That said, I’m proud of everything I’ve made along the journey so far, even at the very beginning of learning how to sew through tutorial videos.
One highlight was putting on my first solo exhibition in December 2024. It was extremely fulfilling to create a space where people could gather and experience the work in person. I’m looking forward to the next one.
Carved in Blue: As Hndsght Studio turns five, what are your plans for the next five years?
Andy: Plenty of exciting plans, projects and collaboration in the works. We’ll just have to wait and see!
Carved in Blue: What does “carved in blue” mean to you?
Andy: I’d say it means carving out your own lane and vision, believing in it no matter what others might think or say and creating something that makes a lasting impact.