Lucien Shapiro

Who are you and what do you do?

My name is Lucien Shapiro I am a Fine Artist focusing on Sculpture, Ritual, Live Performance that is also documented through film.

What is your favorite medium?

Sculpture, but the Performance and Rituals inform the work that I am creating.

Where do you draw your inspiration from?

Currently my inspiration comes from growth. Mold, crystals, self, etc.

What is your creative process?

I start building with a rough idea in my head and see where it takes me. At that point I refine the work and keep going. My process is very long depending on which materials I am using. For example Bottle caps. First they have to be found, examples of this is collections from friends and establishments that serve bottle cap type of beverages. Then I have to sort them by brand and color. Then I have to put holes in them, and string them. This is just one element to the process of making a vessel or mask. I work on different parts like this until the piece feels done. It’s a constant building up and tearing down which informs my addictive process of creation.

Is there a specific theme/message/emotion you aim to evoke?

My work in meant to create happiness through a process or journey. I am searching for a result that mixes hand made craft with ideas and themes that help me with personal issues. In turn these personal subjects touch and help the viewer with issues in their own lives.

What motivates you to continue to create?

I cant imagine any other thing I would rather be doing. Motivation is just waking up.

When you encounter creative blocks, what do you do to overcome them?

This is always part of the process, you just sit with it the same way you cross challenges in your own life. Creating art and living life can run very parallel if you allow it to.

What are your thoughts on the future of art?

I don’t really consider the future of art ,I am too busy trying to be in the present.

What is something you have had to learn on your own that you would like to pass on to the next Creative?

Do it out of love, because you want to, not because you’re trying to be something.