Chris Perry
I live in Ridgefield and I am a book artist.
https://www.csperry.net
I live in Ridgefield and I am a book artist.
https://www.csperry.net
Is your studio at home or outside, and if at home, is it a dedicated room or are you having to share it with other family members?
My wife and I are fortunate in that we have adjoining studios at home. It’s just the two of us so we don’t have to share the spaces with anyone else, but I do have to walk through hers to get to mine.
Are you finding it difficult to work now? Or has this become a time of great creativity?
During the first few weeks I was very distracted by the urge/need to read about the world situation all the time. I found it nearly impossible to concentrate on cutting paper. I am much more focused now. I can spend hours at the cutting table while listening to music online, and only at the breaks I need to take do I read the news.
My wife and I are fortunate in that we have adjoining studios at home. It’s just the two of us so we don’t have to share the spaces with anyone else, but I do have to walk through hers to get to mine.
Are you finding it difficult to work now? Or has this become a time of great creativity?
During the first few weeks I was very distracted by the urge/need to read about the world situation all the time. I found it nearly impossible to concentrate on cutting paper. I am much more focused now. I can spend hours at the cutting table while listening to music online, and only at the breaks I need to take do I read the news.
What is it you are working on now? Does it relate in any way to current events, or are you letting this be a time of releasing all that while the ideas flow?
I don’t as a rule work on something that has any bearing on the world outside the studio, but the current piece most definitely does. I had only just started the rough work when the virus appeared in China, and as it spread around the world the piece came together and the reference became clear. The main parts of the books to be rebound are done (and are visible in the photos) and when they were stacked the title became obvious.
I don’t as a rule work on something that has any bearing on the world outside the studio, but the current piece most definitely does. I had only just started the rough work when the virus appeared in China, and as it spread around the world the piece came together and the reference became clear. The main parts of the books to be rebound are done (and are visible in the photos) and when they were stacked the title became obvious.
Do you think this experience will permanently alter the way you create, or do you think you will go back to your way of creating art before, and if it will change you, in what way and why?
Not permanently. I am putting on hold plans for all the really large pieces. I have a big stack of old books that I retrieved from the Library’s recycle bins and I plan on making far more intimate pieces using only what I have on hand. I may have to buy some paper this year, but I hope to keep my palette spare. The new works may require handling by the viewer, something I’ve not done for years.
Not permanently. I am putting on hold plans for all the really large pieces. I have a big stack of old books that I retrieved from the Library’s recycle bins and I plan on making far more intimate pieces using only what I have on hand. I may have to buy some paper this year, but I hope to keep my palette spare. The new works may require handling by the viewer, something I’ve not done for years.