Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gary Palmer. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Gary, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
One of the experiences and projects that meant a lot was traveling from the banks of lake Malawi to the island of Zanzibar. In particular a memory of going to the ‘Gulewamkulu’ – walking through a forest of trees with a friend from the village – we were led to a ceremonial mask dance – we were seated beside the village chief and a series of passionate and animated mask dances were performed. My paintings and writings are memories of people and places – telling stories about my experiences. People seemed to connect deeply with the feelings in that work – a few years later the work caught the eye of a few notable collectors including Jamie Harris and Catherine Zeta Jones. I was recently contacted by actress Halle Berry and invited to do two large scale paintings based on this series for her home. I started the paintings in the studio in south of France, and completed them in the studio in Venice, CA.
Gary, 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?
Born in 1968, I grew up during the conflict in Northern Ireland. After completing an MA in Architecture at University of Edinburgh in 1992, I emigrated to America in 1996. After few years traveling to international festivals as a street artist I worked as a scenic artist on MTV music videos in LA, and a couple of movies n the Caribbean. Since then I’ve basically been focussed on developing a practice as a painter working from a studio in Venice Beach, but in the past few years I’ve been setting up a studio and retreat for artists in an ancient village in the south of France. My work can be viewed at www.garypalmerart.com and Instagram @garypalmerart
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
My early work focuses on indigenous cultures who live in symbiosis with nature telling stories of journeys to far away places. The more recent studio work relates more to a dialogue between Eastern and Western traditions in both painting and philosophy.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
When I studied architecture at Edinburgh we could work in a practice in our year out. I worked for an architecture practice in Brisbane Australia but after few months had an accident severing the tendon and nerves in my right hand. Luckily, an excellent surgeon did microsurgery to repair the damage – and after few weeks of physical therapy I regained use of my right hand. I met a group of artists called chalk circle – and began street-painting. We were invited as a group to international street performers festivals – it was a great way to travel and meet colorful characters. That also turned out to be a great way to explore ideas in my work. At that time I was interested in 3D perspective public art and illusions. That became the beginning of a career painting murals in public places.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.garypalmerart.com
- Instagram: @garypalmerart
Image Credits
Gary Palmer