Meet Patrick Gardener | Visual artist

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

Hi Patrick, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting a career as an artist involved many risks, specially with two children depending economically on me, and in a place where art is not well recognized, its very hard to make a living as an artist in Lima, Peru. My first profession was architect, working in design and also developing and construction. My parents never let me study an art career, they wanted a lucrative career instead of ending as “a hippie selling his drawings on the park”.
After several years working hard in the construction business, I just had to take the risk of doing what I needed to do. So at 39 years old I started puting all my energy into art. For the last ten years I’ve been a 24/7 artist.
I never tried to find my own art signature, it just found me after a few years. I ended up developing and perfecting a unique way of drawing with cassette tapes by knitting them with tweezers, giving a second life to those tapes that have already been forgotten. So far i’ve made over 500 pieces and can be found all over the world. Among my works you can also find sculpture, painting and graffiti, all connected by the same porpoise of modernizing and combining icons of pop culture..

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud of never giving up on my dreams. It wasn’t easy! When I made the decision of leaving my architect career to pursue my dream of making art, people around me started giving me advice, I had a group telling me “good luck, pursuing your dreams, be the best you can be”, and other group saying “don’t be irresponsible, you have a nice career and 2 kids who depend on you”. My first year exhibition was a success, I sold almost everything. Having the support of my friends and family made it happen. The 3 next years, we’re the scariest ones, I sold almost cero on my yearly exhibitions, my saving account was decreasing really quickly and started thinking that the second group of people advising me was right.. suddenly strangers started calling me to buy my art. That encouraged me and maked me never stopped. Living from my art let’s me feel alive and appreciated.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
One week is a vey short time to stay in Miami. Walking throu Wynwood and Design district is the best for me. A couple of days in Miami Beach, and at least one day boating should be on the itinerary. Shopping at Brickell, having lunch at Cantina La 20, Doya, or Kiki on the River., having some drinks in Joia beach during sunset time and partying at E11even or Space.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My kids Nicholas and Lia, my girl Barby, George Lucas for creating Star Wars, Artech Lima Gallery and Modern Art Theory Gallery in Miami

Instagram: @patrickgardenerart