California-based collage artist Adam Brierley writes about the feedback loop between collecting and creating: how the materials he sources shape his work, and how his work, in turn, shapes what he collects. The third installment in our series of artist-written reflections on collecting.
Text by Adam Brierley
The sourcing of materials is a never ending journey and one I truly love. I believe one thing that sets an artist apart is their specific eye. We each have a unique taste, personality and life experience to pull from that’s shapes the work.
To me, there is no better feeling than seeing an artist truly reflected in their work. I believe this happens when you stay authentic with yourself, the materials you choose and trust your intuition to bring them together when the time is right.
I aim for my work to reflect who I am and what I am interested in, which is why I am so intentional about the materials I use. I have been a vintage clothing collector for 15 years and I have grown to be very specific about my taste. Just as I only wear pieces that have the right fit and feel, I only use imagery and materials that feel genuine to me, everything has to click.
I apply this same selective process when sourcing materials for my work. While I am always on the hunt for vintage magazines, books, aged tape, my favorite finds are old photographs and postcards. These objects carry a weight to them, a sense of memory and nostalgia that I am deeply drawn to. From sun faded hues in an old photograph to the handwritten notes on the back of a hotel postcard, these materials have lived a life of their own. I love being able to connect with that history and give them a new life through my work.
Its truly a never ending hunt – from digging through antique shops and flea markets on the weekends or spending hours daily scrolling eBay to my favorite music, the process is very meditative. When I finally come across a piece I connect with, it hits almost instantly and I know I have found something to treasure to add to my collection.
Learn more about Adam Brierley on Instagram and on TWS
