Today we’d like to introduce you to T.W. Pilar.
Hi T.W., thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve explored my creative inclinations since I was a child, never knowing exactly how, where, or if I would fit into the professional art world. Even settling into a full-time career in pastry, I continued to develop my artistic skills, educate myself, and create as often as I could.
At 27 years old, I took a huge leap of faith, left an amazing job as a chef, and started from scratch- broke, ill, a little depressed, and alone- to begin anew as a full-time visual artist with absolutely no idea what to create for the world, let alone myself. It took a lot of sitting with myself to find the work I create today buried deep within me, work that’s truly a reflection of all my life’s fears, anxieties, curiosities, and aspirations.
I’m still faithful, still leaping, and looking for a soft landing somewhere in the future while staying gratefully present, just me, the work, and the inspiring artistic community in Atlanta.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road is never as smooth as it seems. All the press shows and social media milestones are just the tip of the iceberg for any artist.
There are a lot of struggles with being a full-time freelancer, especially in creative industries where value is based on taste, and taste is based on trends, and it’s all ever-changing. Creativity is a process, and life is all up and down until it is out. The struggles are the beautiful secrets that inspire and support the work we do, like prioritizing exhibition costs over rent and I’d do it again.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m your average introverted creative who just happens to play with trash. My work is focused on designing fine artworks using industrial byproducts, such as plastic and steel, to aesthetically display the impact these materials have on our communities, planet, and consumer mentality as well as the future possibilities of their use, value, and impact on social and climate causes.
While I’m just the conduit taking artistic ideas into the real world, I hope my works tell their story, make changes, and encourage introspection. The materials are the message.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
There’s something about Atlanta that keeps people coming back. When I moved back in 2020, the whole city had changed and yet still felt like home, wonderful. I like that there is magic here, whether a week of wispy fog covering the city or just the view of city lights on a late-night driving around- there is always something beautiful that makes you momentarily forget about all the injustice the constant construction and gentrification causes.
We love watching the city grow, but we hate that we have to fight for clean rivers, untouched green land, and practical housing costs. If Atlanta influences everything let’s, make sure the city grows with its equally growing population in mind.
Contact Info:
- Website: Pilarstudios.com
- Instagram: @_unknowngarbage
Image Credits
AKR Productions and Lindsey Linz
