We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jerome China a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jerome, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

Prior to identifying as an artist, I was the Director of Business Development for a digital marketing firm in New York City. I oversaw new business development and selling Fortune 500 companies on $50,000 sponsorship opportunities.

I would say that learning how to conduct demographic research on my target audience and creating a successful marketing strategy is the most significant thing I have learnt from my time there. The majority of creatives I encounter are unable to provide me with any information regarding the demographics of their target audience or collectors. It is impossible to promote your work to potential collectors if you are unaware of this information.

Although you can speculate about them, nothing beats concrete data. In addition to getting phone numbers and email addresses, I also ask collectors about their occupation, where they live, whether they have children (their ages), the types of art they own, the artists in their collection, how frequently they visit galleries and art fairs, and how often they acquire artwork.

Since “birds of a feather flock together,” as the saying goes, I can use this information to develop a persona of my ideal collector, find and market to other collectors who share the same demographics. Your ability to connect with your target audience will improve with your level of knowledge about them and give you a shot at being added to their collection.

I understand the desire of most creatives who simply want to create work. Art is a business, and you must concentrate on that side as well, if you want to succeed. Finding the appropriate collectors to support and advocate for your work is crucial, and you can only do it by knowing who they are.

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

I’m a U.S. based metal sculptor residing in Northeast. My career began when I saw a commercial fabrication shop using scrap metal to make artwork. They finally gave in after I begged them for three months to teach me how to weld, and I started a two-year residency where I learned how to weld and some fundamental metallurgy.

I create abstract metal sculptures made almost exclusively from found and reclaim scrap metal of various sizes.

Considering that this artistic endeavor started 2014, I’m most proud of my wife’s support; without her and the sacrifices she made to allow me to follow my ambition, none of this would have been possible.

I’m also honored to have collectors who have supported my work and excellent mentors who helped me to navigate the industry landscape and assisted me in avoiding potential pitfalls that most new and emerging artist encounter.

My mentors and collectors have helped me get into private and non-profit collections, provided and have given me the chance to exhibit both domestically and abroad. Last, but not least, I’m thankful for those gallerist and curators that took a chance on an unknown and emerging artist.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist lies in an environment and the creative autonomy that allows for the absence of compromise in any regard. Life is predominantly made up of a series of compromises necessary for coexistence and survival; no one gets everything they want or desire.

Nevertheless, regarding my artistic endeavors, I am not required to make any compromises. I act according to my own desires and preferences, prioritize my own satisfaction above all else – I don’t have to concern myself with someone’s likes or dislikes.

I create for me, it’s a part of my identity, who I am and that part of me remains inaccessible to others, it gives me a profound sense of peace and tranquility. Yeah, I’m a fan of some of Ayn Rand’s work.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

For the first seven years of my career, I rented a studio space from a neighbor. I was notified via email fifteen days prior to rent being due for the next month that my rent would be increasing by 100%. I wasn’t paying a lot in rent; I could have comfortably afforded the increase.

However, the way it was handled infuriated me so much that I made the decision to evacuate the space immediately. It was in that moment I decided I would never entrust my practice to wimps of a landlord who might consider raising my rent without first talking to me.

Anger can be a powerful motivator; I gave up having a studio for the next 12 months to save money and construct a studio in my backyard. I believe sometimes you must take a step back to move forward and not lose faith.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @chinajerome
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerome-china-089a56110/
• Other: Email: [email protected]