Q&A with Elizabeth Corkery
Tuesday, August 30, 2011 at 5:00PM We recently caught up with Australian-born (and now Brooklyn-based) printmaker Elizabeth Corkery whose beautiful work we're mad for. She graciously answered seven of our most pressing questions. We love her detailed replies (we're huge fans of Mary Katrantzou too!) and are excited to check out her favorite artists and, when next in Brooklyn, her favorite local haunts. Read on for the full interview, and make sure to visit Elizabeth Corkery's website and blog! You can also purchase her prints on her bigcartel site and her Pulsating Panels bigcartel site.
Squirrel & Starling: What's inspiring your work right now?
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| The artist Elizabeth Corkery and her installation Visual Notes on Synesthesia. |
Squirrel & Starling: What's inspiring your work right now?
Elizabeth Corkery: What I find most inspiring is the current growing focus on artisanal craftsmanship. There is certainly a burgeoning comunity of artists and designer and makers of all kinds who are interested in producing work that values the time spent making it and the quality of materials that are used to create it. Outlets such as "The Makers Project" are doing a fantastic job of showcasing these artists and artisans and I truly hope this kind of work develops. I'm inspired to keep my ideas and work authentic and to value that which is made by hand.
S&S: Where can our readers find your work online?
EC: www.elizabethcorkery.com
S&S: What other fine artists' work do you admire?
EC: Some current favorites:
I love the crisp aesthetic and inventive set design that photographer Lacey brings to every project.
Ludovica Gioscia prints his own wallpaper, then by layering and ripping back off the wall, turns something inherently flat into a sculptural form.
Daniel [Kukla] uses quite an emotionless, reportage style of photography to document empty animal enclosures. There is definitely a sadness to the faux scenery that covers the walls of these environments. I love how these scenes are depicted almost like painted theatre sets.
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| Elizabeth Corkery Gemstone Reflection I. |
S&S: Do you have any favorite fashion designers (clothing, jewelry, accessories, etc...)?
EC: I'm always drawn to inventive combinations of color and pattern. When done well, these outfits can look effortless, but sometimes it's a harder task than it appears. Australian label, Gorman had a wonderful Fall collection this year. APC makes me dream of a simple life where I only wear soft cottons and always have a fresh baguette under my arm.
Erdem had a collection recently that inclued some extraordinary textile design that included a pairing of two of my favorite things - florals and geometrics. While we're on the topic of extrardinary textiles, Mary Katrantzou's surreal worlds that exist on the surface of her designs are totally out of this world.
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| Elizabeth Corkery Floral Reflection I. |
S&S: What are your must-visit spots in Brooklyn (i.e., brick-and-mortar shops, galleries, and/or restaurants)?
EC: The afternoon before a dinner party will usually take me to the Bedford Cheese shop for an amazing selection and super-knowledgable service. Bread from the tiny pastry haven Bakeri. Inevitably I will be missing some pivotal kitchen utensil that will take me to Whisk on Bedford Ave.
Brooklyn is great for unique gifts, a couple of favorites are Future Perfect, where you can pretty much find any amazing object that you've seen on your favorite design blog. Brook Farm General store is the perfectly curated collection of beautiful, well-made items for the home. It makes me want to fill my house with French linen and delicate glassware!
A visit to Brooklyn shouldn't be without a trip to the Brooklyn Farmacy and Soda Fountain. It makes me wish I grew up in the 1950s and would race to a shop like this after school for a Root Beer float.
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| Elizabeth Corkery print from her Pulsating Panels series. |
S&S: Are there any online galleries or shops that you're a fan of?
EC: There is such an array of well-curated online stores, some of my current favorites:
Etsy stores:
S&S: Do you have particular blogs/magazines that are must-reads?
A fantastic showcase of emerging - largely British - art and design talent.
www.itsnicethat.comTalented Aussie lady:
Nothing beats being able to look into other people's houses. Particularly when their owner is cooler than you and their home is full of such amazing stuff. www.theselby.com
500 Photographers. A new photographer each day. Ranging from incredibly well-known to just emerging. A lovely compendium of currently working shooters. I look forward to their pick every day!
-Colleen
Photos courtesy of Pistol PR.
PS. Many thanks to Elizabeth Corkery & Kate Williams of Pistol PR for their time and general loveliness.
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