Peter Liversidge is driven by the generative notion of creativity and the idea that art is most successful when it exists slightly outside of formalist notions of fine art.

To this end, the physical objects Liversidge produces often include banal, everyday materials that are repurposed or co-opted for his use.  His recent exhibitions include: Tate Liverpool; Whitechapel Gallery, London; Museum of Contemporary Art, Helsinki; Drawing Room, London; Bloomberg SPACE, London; Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh. In April 2012, Liversidge created the stage design and projection backdrop for the band Low at the Royal Festival Hall as a specific proposal. Liversidge is represented by Sean Kelly Gallery, New York and by Ingelby Gallery. 

1. What made you decide to become an artist? 

There wasn’t a single point where I thought ‘I will be an Artist’, at 16/17 I didn't know that thinking like I do could be a way of life. It was on my Foundation that things became clearer. 

2. How would you define being an artist? 

Not knowing exactly what you're doing, and not being afraid by the uncertainty, embracing frailty and ignoring all advice whilst taking it all on board. 

3. What’s the best kept secret in the art world? 

Find a good framers. 

4. How important is your studio and how do you use it? 

Very - I use it in many different ways: to think, read, work, store, listen to music, sleep, eat etc.. 

5. What’s your daily working pattern (how many hours a day do you work)? 

There is no routine; 10 – 12 hours a day. 

6. How regularly do you travel in pursuit of your work? 

2/3 times a month. 

7. How important is accident in your work? 

Depends on your definition of 'accident' and how it’s encountered.  Accident/s as in unintentional consequences; very important. Accident/s as in injury; less so. 

8. How important is it to establish networks of peers in order to succeed in the art world? 

Important 

9. What was the most significant experience you had at art school? 

Being told I couldn't, under no circumstances, do something, then doing that something, and seeing the outcome work perfectly. 

10. What music are you listening to at the moment? 

This Week:

Julianna Barwick – Nepenthe. Astrid - High Blues.  Songs: Ohia – The Magnolia Electric Co. Rachel Grimes - Book of Leaves for solo Piano. Low – Drums and Guns.  Tape - Illumination.  Nils Frahm - Felt.  Earth - The Bees made Honey in the Lion's Skull. The Cramps – Bad Music for Bad People  Kelan Phil Cohran & Legacy – White Nile. Mount Eerie – Song Islands Vol.2.  Tribute to Peckings – Tribute to Peckings.  The Modern Lovers – The modern Lovers. Aphex Twin – Drukqs. Christopher Tignor – Core Memory Unwound. Colleen – Mort Aux Vaches. The Monks –Monk Time / Any record by The Fall / Ohayo – The Sate We Are In. Palace  - Arise Therefore. Rachel’s – Music for Egon Schiele. 

11. What book would you recommend to a young art student? 

Daniel Barenboim – Everything is Connected / any Phaidon ‘Contemporary Artists’ book from the series  

12. What film would you recommend to a young art student? 

The Third Man – Carol Reed / Repoman – Alex Cox / Three Colours Trilogy – Krzysztof Kieślowski 

13. Which contemporary artist do you think every art student should be aware of? 

Jimmie Durham / Rose Finn Kelcey / Damian Ortega / J.S.G. Boggs / Fischli & Weiss / Keith Arnatt / Franz West / Vija Celmins / Marina Abramovic. 

14. What is the best bit of advice you would give to a young artist?

Read and listen to music. 

Image Copyright Peter Liversedge - 'Free Signs', Whitehapel Art Gallery