Meet Lacy Barry | Paper artist | Spatial designer | Podcaster | Illustrator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lacy Barry and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lacy, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I didn’t, my occupation found me, but then isn’t that how the most beautiful life pivoting circumstances happen… and what is luckiest is that my career is always evolving in its own way to meet me where I am at that moment in my life. I had always been an artist, and though it does not define me as a human being, it is a bonus to live from the creative ideas that send electrifying pangs of excitement through my veins. That said I don’t see a career as a defining characteristic, rather it is a feature in the story of my life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an artist, I primarily explore  many facets of my artistic language through installations, interior designs, sets, music videos, illustrations, sculpture and even podcasting.. the list goes on. I am eternally curious and in the age of the internet there is a whole slew of new things to learn! I work mainly with paper, but even then I evolve into new combinations of materials. I don’t want to be set apart from others, what I do is not ‘better’ or ‘worse’, but different because I made it… and you know when you make something, a bit of your soul harbours in it. I could really only speak in my own artistic language, someone else speaks in theirs. Competition is a societal invention, and rather than engaging in all the unhealthy attributes that come with it, for instance jealousy and envy, I dissect these emotions and determine that much of these feelings come from a root admiration and love of another artistic language. Many wonderful friendships and collaborations in my life have come from adjusting such emotions.

I’m not a brand, Kleenex is brand, I am a human, and my story is always developing. I have lived several lives in the one I have, growing up a contemporary ballerina, to then transition into graphic designer, fashion designer, set & interior designer and now full-time artist. I have been lucky enough to learn and carry so much knowledge and memories from my travels and residences that are still making their way into my art projects. I followed my heart and the universe showed me beauty regardless of what wasn’t in my bank account… life always works out, its just knowing how to listen to it.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Depending on who they are and what they like, I would show them something that would interest them and possibly blow their minds based on what their interests… its different for everyone. Personally I love nature and history, I love finding the most seemingly mundane yet magical places that are often over-looked. I suppose thats why I started my podcast, Secret Place Berlin. Interesting, preternatural things and stories hide everywhere, in plain sight… or as the intro goes ‘This is Secret Place Berlin, where we explore the sometimes hidden and not so well known histories about Berlin, Germany.’ https://lacybarry.com/Secret-Place-Berlin

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh! there are so many people to thank and mention, but for start, my friend and mentor Susanne Rottenbacher. She is a light artist that makes the most fantastical iridescent spatial light installations! I reached out to Susanne at a time when I was going through a very dark time in my art career. The commercial side to being an artist was causing me to fall out of love with creating artwork and swallowing the initial imaginative quality of it all. Mixed in with a few bad actors, and neglect of my personal health, I found myself spiralling fast into burn-out. I could not make artwork for almost two years afterwards, becoming quickly disgusted and disillusioned with everything I started. Taking time to heal is and was important and I eventually fell back into love with making artwork. I do not work in the toxic methods I did. Speaking with Susanne and observing how she, an extremely skilled and seasoned artist made such transitions in her own art career made a huge impact. Another Shout out would also go to the supportive community of artists around me. We talk openly about our challenges, struggles and victories. I believe it is not intrinsic to do everything alone, a rich and fulfilling life includes rich and fulfilling relationships.

Website: www.lacybarry.com

Instagram: @lacy_barry

Image Credits
Jenny Endom, Clemens Walter, Lacy Barry, Shinya Kato