Today we’d like to introduce you to Hilary Norcliffe
Hi Hilary, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up climbing trees and drawing and building things out of cardboard. I went to college and tried a bunch of other stuff, but have circled back to this kind of play. I identify with monkeys and MacGyver.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I made a lot of mistakes because I didn’t take responsibility for my choices – I just kind of let people and circumstances around me steer my path. I’m happy with my creative lifestyle now and my balance of teaching art, making art, and old-house-maintenance.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a maker. Not specializing is my specialty – I’m very interested in the interconnectedness of ideas and objects. I like found objects because they come with a past and a function, and are usually a problem for the planet (being discarded). If I can tell a new story with them, that is satisfying to me. I’m particularly fond of the #2 plastic jugs that I’ve cut into city buildings.
I am also passionate about story-telling – through drawing, drawing collaborations, and illustrated books. I’m close to releasing a picture book called “Seeing Things in Joshua Tree” done in watercolors. It’s a guessing game for kids as they hike along looking at rock formations. It’s been a really long project – so that’s something dear to my heart.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
The sculpture world has always been leaning into new tech, so that will continue, I’m sure. I just ordered some 3D prints of hanging hardware for a show coming up.
There’s a lot of jitteriness about AIs replacing many tasks – including creative ones. But I listened to Kevin Kelly talk about it and compare it to the introduction of the camera 200 years ago. That was an upsetting piece of new tech for artists back then and they thought they’d become redundant. But they didn’t. And neither will we. AIs are just new tools for us to learn to use and take advantage of – or not.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://hilarynorcliffe.com
