Interview by Jimon

1-Where do you reside and create?  Columbus, Ohio

2-How would you describe Perry Finley?  I would describe the art I make as emotional, sometimes vague, and confused. I would also describe myself that way.

3-Did you study Visual Arts or is it inherent?  I have had some amazing teachers who have inspired me and helped me to expand my perspective, but would still attribute much of what I create to something else beyond myself or my experiences. At the same time, I feel like even if I tried to create something totally beyond me I would still identify bits of myself and the people who have been in my life within whatever I create. I love to lose my sense of self while creating, and I love to find myself in the art I make and through the work of other people.

4-Is there any reality behind the stories you depict in your art or are they purely fantasy?  Often I will sit down to create with a certain story or feeling in mind, but through the process come to find other stories coming to life. I enjoy following where the different feelings take me.

5-What does Perry dream about?  I currently have extremely vivid dreams almost every night. They are fun to explore creatively and they can help me see where my mind is focused, but I try to not take them too seriously.

6-What artist working today do you most admire?  I am a big fan of Winston Hacking. It was his work that first inspired me to create the art I have been making.

7-What is the last great movie you watched?  I recently watched Punch-Drunk Love and found it to be a full blown panic attack.

8-If you had access to a working time machine what period would you choose to live in? archive.org has been my time machine lately.

9-In your professional career, what is the longest you have gone without creating?  I try to create as much as I can. I think I have been creating in some way every day for what feels like the majority of my life. Even in some of my darkest periods I was using art to dig my hole deeper.

10-What emotion do you expect to be on people’s faces when they look at your art?  I don’t have any expected reactions in mind. I’m satisfied if people have any reaction at all.

11-If you could have a super power what would it be?  Self-control.

12-If you hosted a TV talk show, we will call it, The Finley Hour, who would be your first guest?  I would love to meet Mark Gonzales. I’d love to talk to him, but skating with him would be something else. Also please don’t call it “The Finley Hour.” 🙂

13-What is the most extravagant thing you have done in the past year?  I had the pleasure to visit Skatopia.

14-What are your guilty pleasures?  Ice cream and nicotine.

15-Are you an optimist, pessimist or realist?  I’m an aspiring optimist. I try to feel helpful and happy.

16-What scares you the most?  Death and shame.

17-What historical figure would you like to invite over for pizza?  Stevie Wonder.

18-What is art?  Another drug.

19-How would someone find you on the internet?  Instagram: @perryfinley

20-Please name the first thing that comes to your mind while reading the following:

Art= Tomorrow

Food= Will

Sports= Be

Politics= Another

Sex= Day

Luxury= And

Poor= All

Rich= The

God= Same

Religion= May

Picasso= Still

Afterlife= Remain