An interview with ABADCRIT 2010 |
An Interview With Paul Chisholm
ABC: Tell us about what you do?
PC: The Art of Paul Chisholm explores what it is to be human in a 21st century society. With the world evolving into ever greater complexity, the artists’ work pinpoints simple and playful ways of exploring issues relating to ageing, isolation, the geography of human consciences, gender issues of a gay man in a modern world, climate chaos, terrorism and politics.
Working with both painting and sculpture, the artist deploys materials such as dust, plastic, pins, rubber bands and found and discarded materials from the street, re-inventing them in ways that are both surprising and poetic. Each object is chosen for its metaphorical and sociological value. The artist certainly has an obsession with all things morbid, but at the same time his work shines a light onto what might otherwise appear dark.
Underlying each of the artists’ works is a feeling that life is far from idyllic: that we are destroying the planet and each other in pursuit of a perceived perfect life.
ABC: What was the worst critique you were given and how did it make you feel?
PC: The worst crit I was ever given was when I graduated from Nottingham Trent: I was given a 2:2 which I felt undermined my creative abilities and the effort that I put into my degree. The worst part was the lack of critical feedback from the institution.
ABC: How did that experience change or not change the way you feel about your art?
PC: That experience made me more determined than ever to create my Art and to promote it and exhibit it: to be an Artist, so to speak, with or without an institution’s glorification or approval!
ABC: What inspires you?
PC: The obvious answer is life, but to be more precise, my own experiences of the visceral world around me, whether that be personal or collective.
ABC: How do you promote your work?
PC: I have my own website and a facebook fan page for my art. I also have pages on all of the “art websites“, but none of these seem to engage the people I want to see my work - mainly, galleries, curators and collectors. It is hard to be a sensitive creative type and also your own best PR lady! These skills are not taught enough at art school!!!
ABC: What’s next for the art of Paul Chisholm?
PC: Well I recently exhibited as a part of the Islington Exhibits Festival in London and I am due to start the Contemporary Art course at Metafora in Barcelona in September.
ABC: Where would you like to see yourself and or your work in ten years time?
PC: I would like to see my work being exhibited in contemporary art museums and galleries around the world. As my work is both conceptually beautiful and critically engaged in contemporary culture I am sure society would have a lot to gain from my works of art.
ABC: Finally what would you like to say to other underdogs out there?
PC: Carry on creating for your own passion and love of art. If it is recognized by the art world then all the better but if not, it is still your own creativity that counts!
To see more of Paul’s work, visit:
www.facebook.com/paul-chisholm-artist