We recently connected with Adam Atkinson and have shared our conversation below.

Adam, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

The first few years of my undergraduate degree were exploratory and at times aimless. I am the first person in my family to have earned a college degree, and the only member to have a masters degree. Without mentorship or support from my community, it took some time to figure out what I wanted my professional life to look like. I explored many courses in the liberal arts before the pull of metalsmithing, jewelry, and wood carving could no longer be resisted. Years after receiving my BFA, and having many jobs in the jewelry trade, the urge to explore my own practice more deeply and meaningfully became impossible to ignore, and I decided to go to graduate school at East Carolina University. Through trial and error, I solidified my identity as an artist there, continually working to shrug off the looming thought that a working class individual such as myself did not belong in the art world. Through hard work, I learned to discard those demons. I have not had a singular, epiphanous moment where I realized I wanted to be an artist. Rather, I have many small breaks through the clouds that remind me I am worthy of a creative life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have studied jewelry and sculpture for many years through university education and non-traditional programs at craft schools and apprenticeships. Developing my studio practice has been an equally long journey. I consider myself an object maker, with a broad set of skills and abilities. My trade is rooted in jewelry and metalsmithing, but my creative interests extend beyond adornment to include wood-carved sculpture and interdisciplinary practices. My work uses traditional processes in silversmithing combined with alternative materials such as wood, concrete, and recycled animal hides to create small-scale wearable sculpture and objects for the home. Each piece is designed to have a personal story which I hope connects with the viewer. My jewelry designs are informed by my sculptural objects and vice versa. I frequently jump back and forth between the two, resulting in a wide range of unique objects to decorate the home and the human body. I’m dedicated to the deep and time consuming study of material processes, and strive to master the different media I explore. My work is available for sale on my website, and I am available for commissions, curatorial work, and workshop instruction.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The narrative of the idea of an artist throughout Western history tells a story of individual triumph, creative genius, and great financial success, whether in life or post-mortem. While I too value individuality and innovation within this historical perspective, I reject an emphasis on the hierarchy of art and the status quo. I pursue a career in the arts because it gives me and my collectors joy, but realize the field is nothing without a healthy community to be a part of. Because of this, I co-created an exhibition project called Spectral Matter with my partner focusing on queer artists working in specific craft disciplines including woodworking, metalsmithing/adornment, fiber art, glass working, ceramics, and other material focused practices. Much like maintaining a garden, I tend to the queer community by providing exhibition opportunities to give others exposure and sell work. My goal as an artist is not only to thrive in my own practice, but also to ensure there are many chances for others to have success as well. As a queer individual, it has been my great pleasure to be of service to my community, and I hope we can all rise together as creative professionals.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In general, we as a society have come to rely on large corporations for a majority of the everyday objects we use in our lives. Handmade furniture, home decor, clothing, jewelry, tableware, and all the trappings of the lived environment are being pushed to the wayside and replaced by products that are produced by multi-billion dollar businesses. In turn, fewer and fewer financial resources are being supplied to individual creatives that would allow them to grow and thrive. The resolution is simple, yet highly complex. Consumers need to invest in local artists to create a reciprocal market of creativity and consumer joy. When creatives are able to thrive, their best and brightest work will come to the surface, which consumers will benefit from.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.adamatkinsonart.com
• Instagram: @adamatkinson_art
• Other: Queer curatorial project-www.spectralmatter.com

Image Credits
Loam Marketing