Interview with Painter James Kerr
1. How long are you in New York and what brought you here in the first place?
I moved to New York from Upstate NY in the fall of 1983. I was in my junior year at Potsdam University and transferred out of Potsdam to Empire University & Parsons in NYC. I was encouraged by my then professor to enter a completion at the Everson Museum in Syracuse which I did. At the time I was her studio assistant and my work echoed her’s, she revealed in having a following. Her work was easy to emulate as she was simply copying the established artist, Larry Rivers. I had an off campus studio where I was producing my own work. This work is what entered into the completion. I won best of show and my professor’s entry went unrecognized. This really pissed her off and she began a campaign to have me transferred to Empire, of which I am very grateful!
2. What do you like about New York most?
New York is never boring!
I have always enjoyed the anonymity of being one many on the street opens the door to be anyone you want to be. If folks judge you, who cares…you’ll probably never see them again!
New York’s static and energy would only compare to perhaps Paris or London. I can walk out of my studio and in a few minutes be in a blue chip art gallery or museum, which is my MO when I am in a rut with my work.
3. How long has it been since you started painting?
I won my first “art completion” in 2nd grade from the National Dental Association, a poster completion. My entry was 3 bad teeth careening down the river on a raft! LOL. My reward was to make a plaster model of my own teeth, and a small cash gift.
I’ve always had a natural talent for drawing and crafts, encouraged by my mother who was a teacher. She was a true, “pioneer woman” as the artist, Loren MacIver would tag her. She could change the oil in her car, make me a full custom fitted suit, paint sets for a school play, whatever the spirit called for she was game to take it on and not afraid of failure. “It’s all a learning opportunity.”
4. What were the most challenging moments in New York both for you personally and for your career?
The early 80’s was a difficult time for me. Many of my most creative fiends, those I looked to for guidance past away quickly once diagnosed with HIV AIDS. It was a sad time, but I had a wonderful mentor in established painter, Loren MacIver. MacIver was the first women to sell & show at MOMA in NYC in 1935. She had seen a lot in her time and took me under her wing, encouraging me to get involved in the AIDS movement and continue to paint.
5. What has changed for you since spring 2020? How are you coping with the current situation?
If noting else, COVID took me back to the early 80’s when HIV was ravaging in our community. I now take every day as a blessing and try to finish those unfinished troublesome paintings that hang around my studio, make plans with my friends, ride my bike along the Hudson and spend time with my family and wonderful life partner.
-Did you need to make any changes in your life, etc.? Did you learn something about yourself, people around you, etc.?
Life is too short, cut out the superfluous noise, make an effort to tell popes(people) how much they mean to you, write a letter once in a while (everyone loves to get snail mail!) and produce some work, regardless if others like it or not.
6. What are your plans for the near future?
Get married to my partner of 20 wonderful years, buy a house in Thailand with a detached open air studio and paint in my underwear all afternoon drink cold Thai beer! Haha Of course, I’d never give up my loft in Chelsea!!!
7. Where in NYC you go for relaxation and what would you recommend to ZONE readers?
Because of my close proximity to Hudson River Park, I like to ride my mountain bike on the Hudson River, listen to my music and enjoy seeing all the beautiful people enjoying the same sunshine and fresh air without a mask again. If I don’t feel up to exercise, I like to wander around the art galleries of Chelsea, I always feel welcomed by the front desk folks and am simulated by the visual smorgasbord of art.
I’m very grateful to my gallery representatives, Phil Alexandre and Marie Evans (Alexandre Gallery) who have shown nothing but kindness and support for over 20 years.
Painter: James Kerr
Website: https://www.alexandregallery.com/james-kerr
The cover page and the side page painted and photographed by James Kerr.