Briefly describe the work you do.
Wall reliefs in wood and mixed media/freestanding wood sculpture
Tell us about your background and how that has had an influence on your work and on you as an artist.
Pierme cites his Grandfather as an early inspiration. He was constantly in his garage creating – an exceptional maker, as well as a painter. In Pierme’s earliest memories he was fascinated by what his Grandfather could do with a simple piece of wood. In a few hours or days he would witness what this wood would become by way of his Grandfather’s hands. “The idea to be 100% responsible for creating something from A to Z amazed me.” Pierme recalls. “The scent of his studio was also a big attraction. The fragrance of multiple woods combined with turpentine and linseed oil created a magical space.”
Pierme himself has since become known as a master of medium. However, if asked what he values in art, he will reply, “THE IDEA. That is it.” Though teasingly nicknamed “Picasso” at a very early age, due to rampant creativity, Pierme has never been comfortable identifying himself as an artist.
That is for others to decide. He is, however, aware that he has prolific creative tendencies. He is a man who does not “feel good” unless he is in his studio.
Hence, the first question this artist explored was his own viability in creating art full-time. The answer came in 1988 after he had given himself one year to become a working artist. Within six months he was well on his way. Pierme elaborates, “In a way, my career has happened in reverse.
In the beginning of my career, choosing to be a sculptor and becoming a young father, happened simultaneously. Being responsible as a father, created an immediate focus and seriousness about my career. In a way, my daughter pushed me to be more professional.”
The concept of the artist studio has a broad range of meanings in contemporary practice. Artists may spend much of their time in the actual studio, or they may spend very little time in it. Tell us about your individual studio practice and how it differs from or is the same as traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
Being in the studio or not is not very important, what matter is to be constantly connected with creative mind process.
What roles do you find yourself playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
To be constantly split in half between an introverted and extroverted world.
When do you find is the best time to make art? Do you set aside a specific time everyday or do you have to work whenever time allows?
Morning, early morning has always been my best time because if the idea is good I have more time to work on it before to stop. I work hard, just to find simplicity. Much like creating a novel in just a few sentences. The base is chemistry. I feel the movement and then freeze that moment in the interaction- a “snapshot” -capturing a split second in the evolution. As such, my work can be experienced as organic. It moves. It’s alive, it comes from somewhere, it is going somewhere, and you feel that by what you see in the snapshot.
How has your work changed in the past five years? How is it the same?
It’s more the way I work has changed then the result. There is less compromise and more risks.
How have people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers, other artists or even pop icons had an impact on the work you do?
A big impact, and I translate it in my own language through my work.
Have you ever been pulled in the direction of a pursuit other than being an artist? What are your other interests?
Not since I have been a full time artist for the last 28 years. It’s like it has been a mother to me; it is forever.
About
PASCAL PIERME (b. 1962 St. Rafael, France) is a Frenchman who settled in Santa Fe, New Mexico USA in 1997. Prior to that time, he had gained a European reputation as a promising young sculptor. He accomplished several solo exhibitions in France and Switzerland, and worked on collaborative projects alongside creative giants such as Pierre Cardin.
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 