Meet the artist Concetta Perot
September 26, 2010 at 9:14 pm Handmade in Tooting Leave a comment
Tells us a little about yourself?
I am a mum to two young children, wife to a wonderful husband and general all round, arty, crafty person. I qualified as a social worker in 1996 and in 2009 I finally took the plunge and decided to step aside from my work to date and take up my art my profession. No regrets!
What type of art work do you do?
I am a contemporary mosaic artist – I make mosaic wall art and 3d mosaics for the home & garden, commissions for special occasions. I also facilitate community mosaics and teach mosaics from my studio in Furzedown, Tooting.
What inspires you / influences your work?
The incredible power of mosaics to draw the onlooker into its gaze and touch – colour, texture, reflectivity and all things that glimmer and glitter! Other contemporary mosaic artist such as Sonia King, Gary Drostle and Irit Levy propel me to dig deeper into my art. I am also inspired by the connections I have made with other artists in Tooting – I am continually inspired by the love of creativity and the unique voices and styles that my local arty / crafty friends have and this propels me to keep walking my own unique, creative path.
How did you come to be doing this type of work?
I went to two evenings of mosaic classes about 9 years ago and that was enough to get me addicted. I quickly connected up to the international mosaic community online and discovered that it was the most accepting and sharing community that was very willing to share its knowledge. I joined the British Association for Modern Mosaics and began to exhibit with them and in 2004 I did my first commission. The place of mosaics in my life was only ever going to grow! Apart from my friends, family and community, it is my biggest passion.
Where did you train / develop your work?
I am mostly self taught with the endless support of Mosaic Artists Online, but last year I took a master class with Sonia King, who is one of the world’s most well known Mosaic Fine Artists (and a great teacher).
What do you like about being an artist living or working in Tooting and Furzedown?
I love going to work at the bottom of my garden (where my studio is)! I love the flexibility and the fact that I can do my art between 9 and 3 and then move from being in the ‘making zone’ to the playground where I collect my children! I love the way possibilities and opportunities pop up where you least expect because there is so much going on in Tooting. Oh…and I love Tooting and Furzedown. I have been here for 22 years (in the same house for 15) and would find it hard to leave the richness and depth of community I have discovered here. So to now have the opportunity to live and work in my community is too wonderful!
Who is your favourite artist / art work and why?
Klimt. The swirls, the colours, the level of detail…funnily, many mosaic artists are drawn to Klimt and when you look at his work, you can see why.
What new projects do you have planned next?
I am planning to do a project with a local refugee youth group this autumn where I will work with them to form a ‘mosaic patchwork’ called “Shards of Hope”. This will be exhibited at my solo show (see below).
And finally, where can your work be seen or do you have any exhibitions planned?
I am having my first solo exhibition at Sprout Community Arts Nov 30th – Dec 11th. There will be a start of show drinks at Sprout on Friday 3rd December 6-9pm and I would love to extend a warm welcome to all.
Why are you taking part in Wandsworth Artists Open House?
Its a great opportunity to be ‘visible’ in the locality. I am doing the Open House with my artists friend Sally Dunnet from Smart Glass Uk who is an amazing glass artist and we think our work will complement each other…
What can visitors to your open house look forward to?
An alladin’s cave of all things that glitter, glimmer and shine! Glass art, mosaic art, glass and mosaic jewellery, mosaic and glass hanging decorations…!
Whose work are you looking forward to seeing in the Wandsworth Artists Open House?
I hope I get the chance, in between being at our Open House Venue and looking after children to sink myself in any of the local artsists work…there is so much talent and creativity – I love it all!
Entry filed under: Meet the Artist.
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