I have always been drawn to the sense of touch. I often find myself using my hands to negotiate the spatial and tactile relationship between my body and its surroundings. This has led me to explore woodcarving and metalsmithing as my primary methods of making. I rely on the familiarity of utilitarian objects such as vessels and jewelry to invite the viewer to have an intimate interaction with my work. Through that close encounter I hope to have a dialogue about issues surrounding the body and sexuality. I believe that categorical systems which favor binary relationships, such as male/female, are permeable. I hope that by exploring these topics the viewer might be encouraged to question the categorical structure of our society, and open themselves up to a more ambiguous reality.
Adam received a MFA in Metal Design at East Carolina University in 2019, and a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Practices at Boise State University in 2013 where he studied sculpture, metals, and painting. Atkinson’s work documents relationships between gender and the body using adornment and small scale sculpture as formats for exploration. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Adam was a 1-month resident artist in the summer of 2020.
Follow him on Instagram at @adamatkinson_art
