We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Perry Easton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Perry thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
I’ve been referencing an ATTIE Project docu-series called The Art of Life—a running joke I share with some friends after attending the Tribeca Film Festival this year. It’s essentially the real-time documentary of my journey as an artist and my experiences with The ATTIE Project. This journey has been a rollercoaster, full of twists and turns, but in all seriousness, ATTIE has been the most exponential project of my career to date. I’m incredibly proud of it because it’s my way of expressing self-love through art. Art’s Timeless Time Is Eternal is a creative venture I founded after leaving the retail industry, where I spent nearly a decade navigating the corporate pipeline. The backstory of this project is a testament to perseverance and marked a significant turning point in my life. I’ve always been passionate about art but could never fully commit due to self-doubt. However, when 2020 hit, I took a leap of faith, leaving my job to pursue art full-time.
The ATTIE Project began as a way for me to express myself through creating unique, timeless artifacts that reflect my life’s experiences and perspectives. Over time, it evolved into something larger: a testimony to embracing creativity and the courage it takes to follow your passion—what I call ‘the art of life.’ The project also became a vehicle for community engagement and truth-telling, blending the concepts of art and time in a way that deeply resonates with others.
What makes ATTIE so meaningful to me is its transformative power. Starting as a personal journey of self-discovery, it has grown into something that inspires others. Through this lens, I’ve incorporated different stages and experience of my life, allowing me to serve as a vessel for telling untold stories through art. Each piece created tells a story and leaves a lasting impression, making the work incredibly rewarding. The ATTIE Project is more than just a brand; it’s a testament to the courage required to pursue one’s true calling. That’s why it holds such profound significance in my life, and I believe it touches anyone who encounters it.
It has taken years to overcome self-doubt and reach this level of creativity, but at a certain point, you have to give yourself credit and recognize that this is part of your DNA. Life is a momentum-building exercise, and for me, gaining that level of self-confidence came from taking the risk and pursuing The ATTIE Project.
Perry, 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?
My name is Perry Easton, and I’m the founder and creative mind behind The ATTIE Project. ATTIE stands for Art’s Timeless Time Is Eternal, a brand that blends artistry and craftsmanship to create unique, custom-designed, rare timepieces—what I call timeless artifacts.
My journey into this industry started through my experience working in retail, where I developed an appreciation for detail, human interaction, and, most importantly, time. Despite my success in the field, I felt creatively stifled and realized that growth in corporate environments happens on their time—not mine. I wanted a platform where I could express myself fully, and that’s how The ATTIE Project was born. While I was just a guy from Brooklyn, I wound up with the opportunity to be a custom watch maker in 2015. While learning the trade in Paris, that is when I realized my calling was to combine art and time to reflect individuality and create one-of-a-kind pieces. The first few years my operation was seeded with creative ideas and the help of other artist and by 2020, I took the leap of faith and started to invest everything into making this dream of the ATTIE Project come to fruition.
While I am currently in my fourth year of production, The ATTIE Project has grown beyond timepieces into a multi-faceted brand, offering art installations, workshops, and experiences that engage with time as both a concept and a medium. This year has been about “reverse engineering”—breaking down the timeless artifacts into their core elements and reimagining them. I’ve managed to expand the brand’s identity, and distill the artist name, 1080p (my alias) into its simplest form: the pixel.
What sets The ATTIE Project apart is the blending of abstract ideas about time with tangible, personalized experiences. Our creations—whether clocks, watches, or canvas art—are not only functional but also serve as artistic expressions that tell a unique story. Each piece is crafted to reflect the owner’s personal style, journey, or identity. In addition to the physical products, we offer The ATTIE Workshop, a creative space for people of all ages. Much like art therapy, the workshop focuses on self-reflection and personal enrichment, helping participants recalibrate and channel their creative energy into a meaningful, timeless experience. I’m incredibly proud of how far The ATTIE Project has come, but what I value most is its ability to evolve and resonate with people on a deeper level. It’s not just a brand; it’s a testament to self-love, creativity, and personal expression. The goal for ATTIE is to be a foundation for endless talent—a source of opportunity for young minds to explore and develop their creative abilities.
At its core, The ATTIE Project is about taking time for yourself, making time for what matters, and aligning with your eternal clock. Everyone’s journey is unique, and my mission is to create interactions that not only reflect one’s individuality but also inspire others to embrace their own creative potential and self-love.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
It was as recent as this year that I truly came to understand how much resilience is required to stay on this path. Your integrity is constantly tested along the way.
There was an opportunity to showcase my work in a group exhibition organized by what I initially thought was a reputable art organization. The theme was centered on “spreading love the Brooklyn way,” which resonated with me as a Brooklyn native. However, things didn’t turn out as expected. My art ended up in the hands of the wrong people. It was judged, tampered with, and even worse, I was asked if it was possible to alter my work. It felt like a complete violation of my identity and intellect as an artist. Ultimately, I chose to withdraw from the show because the entire process leading up to it was unsettling. The way they handled my work was distasteful and disrespectful, and I had to make a stand to protect my property and vision.
This was just one of many tests I’ve faced along this journey. The mental and emotional fortitude needed to navigate situations like this is immense. After they defaced my work and dismissed my concerns, I had to take drastic measures to defend myself and my project. As a creator, I make art to share with the world, but this experience opened my eyes to the harsh reality of how some people might try to undermine your intellect and creativity. It was a moment where I had to stand firm on my beliefs, not just as an artist, but as a person defending their identity.
Thankfully, for the support that ATTIE has acquired throughout our years. Nassali, who is an Empress of Uganda and a personal friend, had to intervene and navigate the situation. Things escalated to the point where the New York City streets were flooded with NYPD, and the presence of lieutenants being involved, in order for me to retrieve my artwork. It was a daunting experience, going to such lengths to protect my brand. This wasn’t the kind of image I wanted associated with my work—the stereotype of the “angry/struggling artist” couldn’t be further from who I am. But even though it felt like a low point, it was more fuel to the fire. It was an eye-opener about the things I need to be more aware of moving forward.
Resilience came into play when this opportunity fell apart, when instead of letting these circumstances defeat me, I channeled that pressure back into my art. I spent the remainder of the spring and summer refining my artistic identity, 1080p. I’ve learned that every challenge can be a blessing in disguise, and I’m constantly looking for those moments. When life hands you lemons, I’m ready to open a Sprite factory. It’s about remaining open to the possibilities and never losing sight of the bigger picture.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Support can come from different standpoints, and society has to recognize the immense value that creatives bring to our culture, well-being, and collective growth. Creatives often emerge from underground cultures, which thrive on risk-taking, innovation, and pushing boundaries. To truly support a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to embrace this aspect of risk-taking and understand that not all creative ventures can be neatly packaged for instant commercial success. This means funding and backing projects that are coming from unconventional spaces or ideas that challenge the status quo. There needs to be more encouragement for society, just as artists, to take creative risks without fearing financial ruin or the loss of support.
The underground culture has always been a place where raw talent and authentic expression can flourish without the constraints of commercial or mainstream expectations. Some of the most impactful movements in art, music, and fashion were born from these spaces because artists were willing to take risks that others might not. Bridging the underground culture with business requires acknowledging that sometimes success in the creative world means going back to those grassroots, unfamiliar spaces for inspiration and grounding. These spaces are where authentic, community-driven art thrives. It’s about supporting not just the polished, marketable pieces but the process, experimentation, and raw energy that fuel creativity—something that The ATTIE Project embodies.
Currently, the challenges being faced towards the support of artists stems on the focus of social media presence, clout, and even the impact of AI, which has created a false narrative about what supporting an artist in today’s society looks like. In this digital age, there’s a tendency to equate an artist’s value with the number of followers they have or how well they perform on social platforms. This has blinded many to the true essence of what artistry is. Social media and AI algorithms push instant validation and trends over the long, gritty process of cultivating a craft. It shifts the focus away from authentic artistic growth and community engagement toward surface-level appeal. We need to get back to the essence of what true support for artists looks like: appreciating the process, the experimentation, and the journey, not just the end product that’s ready to be consumed. Society and businesses need to shift from the facade of clout and instead invest in the authenticity of the creative process. Genuine support involves partnering with artists, collaborating in ways that allow both creativity and business to thrive, and taking the risks necessary to nurture the arts even when they don’t fit neatly into social media-friendly formats.
Ultimately, building a thriving creative ecosystem starts with direct, meaningful support. Find one artist or creative venture and invest your time, money, and attention into it. Nurture that artist’s growth by embracing their vision and creativity, beyond the surface-level metrics of social media or clout. When we collectively commit to real investment in the creative process, we give artists the space and resources to flourish. These foundations are built from risk-taking and grassroots support. It’s about businesses and communities stepping outside traditional models to invest in artists, their vision, and their process. When society starts valuing artistry beyond likes and algorithms, we can truly begin to bridge the gap between the underground culture and mainstream success, creating a space where innovation can flourish and culture can grow authentically.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theattieproject.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theattieproject/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perry-easton-384532145/
- Twitter: https://x.com/theattieproject
Image Credits
Photos taken by Nassali Kiggundu