We recently connected with James Gilbert and have shared our conversation below.
James, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
I find purpose though my commitment to exploring sculpture, installation, and drawing by searching into narratives at the convergence of history and modernity. At the core of my process is a philosophical responsibility – to myself, audience, the community, addressing injustice, tending to the environment, and embracing the human experience. It’s in the nuances of our existence, the stories we tell. Of course, there are persistent challenges in our world that defy easy solutions. It’s precisely this challenge that keeps me motivated. I believe that by staying committed to addressing important issues provokes discussion, and encourages people to think deeply and engage with the world around them in a more meaningful.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
My practice is outside conventional boundaries. It incorporates a variety of materials and techniques, with a primary focus on fostering socially responsible ideas. I don’t care solely for the word artist but I believe there is an associative experience with it. If I could get by using descriptive words like: chisel, sewing machine, shovel, pencils and be understood I would be happy with that. These relate to materials I often use – like wood, industrial plastic sheeting, fabric, and plaster, earth, I weigh their metaphorical significance. These carry connotations of time, aging, rejuvenation, authenticity, and artificiality. The use of labor-intensive hand tools leaves distinct marks, celebrating material imperfections that commemorate the inherent flaws of humanity.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Patience, actively engaging in personal reflection, meaning, defining values and ideas that are important to me and making those perspectives and concepts available in my work, and not comparing myself to anyone.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
We are a TLTR (too long to read) culture). If we aren’t doing our own work, research and personal engagement then there are others that would be impelled to assume that responsibility for their benefit. So, when I think about my work and also when I visit art galleries, museums, read books, watch movies – what are the ideas being presented and how do they reflect on our experiences and behaviors. A foundational source I like is – The Seventh Generation Principle – the philosophical decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.jamesgilbertstudio.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/jamesgilbertstudio
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/james-gilbert-7006815
Image Credits
James Gilbert
