LOOKING INWARD
Albuquerque artist focuses on ‘dreams, love and pain’ in his ‘inner being’
Nathan Perry’s work focuses on idealized and surreal depictions of the human form in dreams and similar states. The Albuquerque-based artist’s work also includes plays on notions of mythic and mystic-religious experiences, evoking elements of contemporary fantasy worlds.
Perry’s work will be center stage in “Psyche’s Narrative,” which will be presented at OT Circus. The opening will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4. The show will run through Sept. 12.
Perry says the collaboration with OT Circus happened one night when he was visiting the space for another event months ago.
“It was a small venue, very active. I entered, and it was nearly like a party first, and then art exhibition space, second. I had met many artists and other personalities,” he says. “Most of all, I had met the curator, Jennifer DeSantis. Her high energy level and love for gathering was incredible. I had then shown to her a sample of my art. Time had passed, and she suggested that I have a solo exhibition at the OTCircus.
In a way, OTCircus may have permitted me to be involved with it.”
Perry will show 14 pieces of his work — nine are oil, and the other five are a combination of oil, pastel, illustration ink and ballpoint pen images.
Like many other artists, Perry has kept himself busy with new pieces during the pandemic.
“I continue to paint as if the pandemic had not arrived,” he says. “My art process has not been influenced by it; I metaphorically live under a
rock and paint. Because of this, I virtually reflect nothing of the world around me in my artwork and I concern myself with my inner world. I am trying to discover, understand and reflect what is deepest down there.”
Perry’s inspirations continues to come from nature and its phenomena, and how the human image can be imposed on them.
“Principally, however, it is about how I am involved in the framework of my inner being and its ongoing narrative; dreams, love and pain,” he says.
Perry works diligently to balance his time and resources — both of which he could use more.
“Because I am necessarily employed, I must spend time making an earning to live; this takes time away from being an artist,” he says.