Artist, performer, teacher, and community builder Vivian Elizabeth Armor speaks to Sherry Ann Innis about her journey in the arts so far and what she hopes to achieve with her new creative studio in Trinidad’s Cascades.
When did you know you wanted to be a professional artist?
Both visual and performing arts have played a big role in my life. I have always admired painters and was drawn to the bold styles of Frida Kahlo, Basquiat, and Van Gogh from an early age. I was also very lucky to grow up surrounded by great works by Peter Doig, Boscoe Holder, and Sundiata, to name a few, who encouraged me to follow my heart.
I originally earned a degree in theater from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York before pursuing painting, sculpture, and installation, and pursued a career in film in Canada in my 20s, focusing on theater and singing as my primary medium. I was guessing. Earning a degree from Emily Carr College of Art and Design made me fall in love with the process of making things. And the more I was exposed to the world of contemporary art, the more I fell in love with painting and sculpture as a way to explore and communicate with the world.
What is your favorite museum?
Whitney in New York, Tate Modern in London. You can spend hours in those spaces. I love getting lost among Monets and being energized by installations. When I lived in Canada, I also spent a lot of time at the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Vancouver Art Gallery. Kim Dorland is a huge inspiration to me with her vibrant and dynamic work. And if you’re lucky, you won’t miss James Turrell’s exhibition. I love experiential work. I’m also a big fan of Impressionist paintings, so the Musée d’Orsay in Paris is one of my favorites.
Recently I visited the National Gallery in Kingston, Jamaica. It has an incredibly rich collection, and I’m always captivated by the textiles and sculptures of Risho Johnson, Richard Nato, and Katrina Coombs. But what inspires me the most is traveling and visiting new places with all their textures, smells, colors and stories. At the top of my bucket list are Portugal and Japan.
How would you describe your artistic practice?
I’m interested in rituals and rituals and how they play out in different cultures – how land and bodies find symmetry and dissonance, how we seek understanding. Many of my paintings and installations sit somewhere in between, focusing on ideas of belonging, non-belonging, and embodied catharsis, juxtaposing natural materials and processes with a kind of alien supersaturation. .
I often incorporate elements of Caribbean folklore and mythology into my paintings, while also incorporating elements of my international education. I was drawn to pottery because of the tactile feel of working with clay, and have created a variety of works including functional pottery and sculptures. I derive much of my inspiration for my ceramic work from the colors and textures of nature, and enjoy using different glazes and firing techniques to achieve unique and visually interesting effects.
As my work evolves, I become increasingly fascinated by entropy and impermanence, which I hope to explore through my workshops. My minor is in Social Practice and Community Engagement, and I am drawn to working with trauma healing through the arts. We believe this is deeply needed in the postcolonial context.
What inspired you to establish Vivian Elizabeth Creative Studio?
For the past few years, my activities have been mainly focused on teaching. I founded Vivian Elizabeth Creative Studio with the goal of creating an inclusive space that welcomes artists of all levels. We offer a variety of resources, from painting, pottery and glazing equipment and materials to basic woodworking resources. There will also be open studio time, workshops, team-building activities, and networking opportunities. It is extremely rewarding to see students discover their own creative potential and create something unique. Teaching art is as fundamental to this industry as creating your own work.
What’s next in the pipeline?
Artists need the opportunity to have a dedicated space to work and create, so we plan to expand to offer a co-working space. A sense of community is essential, so expect regular events such as artist talks, exhibitions, and meet-and-greets that bring people together. I would like to connect with more organizations and institutions, foster relationships with artists across the region, and encourage artist residencies and exchanges.
Returning to the Caribbean with renewed energy and inspiration, I am eager to explore new forms of expression and delve deeper into my own artistic practice. I am currently working on a new body of work that explores the hybridization of the world of painting and sculpture.
