My master discipline of procrastination comes to the fore as deadlines loom and I find myself reading one of the many books on my desk – Steal like an artist by Austin Kleon. It was something I had picked up out of curiosity from the many hundreds I’d inherited from my mother. I was intrigued that she would have bought something so mainstream but I managed to overcome my innate snobbery of the popular and quickly became engrossed. Amongst the many pieces of quick advice is the idea to have pictures of the artists that inspire you around you as you work – your artistic family tree. Following another piece of Kleon’s advice to read deeply I moved on to the Patti Smith book Just Kids and this idea came up again as she described her first workspace in the Brooklyn studio she shared with Robert Mapplethorpe. It seems like an omen so (again the procrastination) I start to think about who I might surround myself with…
Hiroshi Shugimoto,
I am forced to look deeply and differently at photography through the quiet beauty of his works. The abstract is given form and the everyday made monumental and surreal. His ideas on using the medium of photography to explore concepts of time, memory and the value of craft nurtures me.
Cornelia Parker
The master of installation. A curiosity to look and think about things that most of us don’t see. To realise the conceptual through humour and comment. You taught me to look closely at the titles and materials list of works and consider my own as they add to that “a ha” moment that can make work great. I’m also very partial to denim and stripes and might have copied your dress style a little.
Nina Simone
The soundtrack of my youth. I am drawn to the power and emotion that overlay the artistry of her music. The strength of the seemingly simple – my favourite song Sinnerman brings up emotions by just remembering that single piano line that strikes out over long break of clapping. Nina may you remind me to always be brave and stand by what I believe in.
Marcel Duchamp
I have put you at the bottom, but really, you know you were there at the very beginning and have inspired us all.
This seems like a good start – I am curious as to who will join my family. But first I will do some making.
Image sources: Hiroshi Sugimoto – famous photographers.net. Cornelia Parker – The National Portrait Gallery. Nina Simone – Getty Images. Marcel Duchamp – Jose Art Gallery.