We were lucky to catch up with Adrien Broom recently and have shared our conversation below.
Adrien, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I am a self-taught photographer and installation artist. Photography can be viewed as being so technical, and for a while that intimidated me. I learned by picking up a camera manual and reading it cover to cover. When I didn’t understand something they were referencing (aperture, ISO, anything), I would look it up and research until I grasped the concept. Then I just did it. I kept experimenting until I started to connect with the images I was creating on some subconscious level.
I am still not a super technical photographer, and I have grown to love that about my practice. I enjoy the playful part of making work and experimenting on gut instinct until I reach an unplanned goal. This adds a level of spirituality and grounding to the process, and it brings me joy in the work I create.
Adrien, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Hi everyone. :) I am an artist who specializes in photography and set design. My work involves building theatrical, otherworldly, life-size sets and staging narrative scenes within them, which I then photograph. I also find unique and meaningful locations to use backdrops for my narrative photographs. No matter what the setting, my work always aims to evoke a sense of the imaginary and tell a unique story.
One of the central themes I enjoy exploring in my work is the contrast between childhood imagination and adult creativity. I also love delving into our relationship with the natural world. I’ve had the privilege of exhibiting my work in galleries and museums around the world, as well as select commercial projects. I am truly passionate about bringing a sense of wonder and excitement to the viewers of my images, whether for my personal work or client projects.
What sets my work apart is that I create everything by hand, without relying on AI. I believe this authentic, hands-on approach shines through in the final images, allowing the viewer to believe in the images and forge a deeper, more imaginative connection with the artwork.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
I honestly don’t think I could do anything else. I’ve been an artist at heart since before I can even remember. When I graduated from high school, I went through a time of fearing the “starving artist” life, so I spent the next 8 years or so trying different paths and feeling utterly lost within myself. Eventually, that caught up with me, and I was so adrift and sad, not knowing what I should be doing.
I turned back to art initially as just a form of coping. But through creating again, I felt joy for the first time in years, and I haven’t looked back since. Art is simply part of who I am deep down. Even when I tried to run from it for years, it’s what my soul craved to feel alive. So here I am
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Stay as far from AI as possible, and remember that humans are what makes beauty in this world. I know thats almost impossible at this point, but it honestly scares me how it could very easily take over all aspects of the creative industry. Music, film, graphic design, illustration, photography, writing, even recipe making. Creativity comes from the heart, from our connection to something greater. To keep this spark alive we must not take it for granted, and go for the cheaper “easier” option.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.adrienbroom.com
- Instagram: @adrienbroom
Image Credits
All photographs by Adrien Broom