Creative Thought Space

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Stephen Richardson | London, UK | www.stephenrichardson.com.au   www.cognitivemanifesto.com
Artist, Founder of Neo Post-Object Art Movement

What do you think being creative means?
Creativity lies in the understanding that not everything has to make sense.
 
How do you include creativity in your life?
The more we exercise creative thinking the more it becomes the lens that we look through.
 
What are your thoughts on how your life has influenced your creative imagination, and how your creative imagination has influenced your life?
Creative thinking can be positive and uplifting, but it is also true that creative thinking can get you into trouble – use it wisely. Perhaps unexpectedly, I believe that scepticism can be an important starting point for creative thinking. I grew-up sceptical, later transcended scepticism to become a positive thinker, then re-embraced scepticism as a healthy component of creative thinking. Creativity is a neutral position, neither positive nor negative. Again, use it wisely.
 
What, if any, exercises do you do to get into a creative mode?
Creative thinking requires a lot of time thinking about thinking. It’s about more than just rethinking the options - start by considering why it seems they are the only options. I believe that creativity is not a spectator sport; it needs to be practised regularly. Creativity is a multiplier - the more we use it the more creative we become.

How important do you think creativity is in life?
Be aware of conventional thinking then consider ruling it out as dull - life without creativity is a life not fully lived.

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About
Stephen Richardson is a multi-disciplinary conceptual artist whose work incorporates both the physical and cognitive expression of ideas. His current art practice is a cutting-edge fusion of visual art and language based on the Cognitive Art Manifesto. Stephen wrote the Cognitive Art Manifesto as part of his PhD research entitled Neo Post-Object Art: Theory and Praxis. This project explores the dematerialisation of visual art where the image is in the written word and is created in the mind of the audience. The works can be presented as works on paper. These are representations of the artworks and are not deemed to have any financial value – indeed, they are usually given away, burned, or even composted when the exhibition closes. Each artwork is created as a unique cognitive visual art idea.
 
Stephen has previously worked across many mediums from the traditional to the contemporary. He enjoys making small assemblages, using bricolage and sculptural techniques; he also creates text, video, and performance works that stretch the viewers’ expectations of the visual art experience. He holds a BA in Fine Art and an MA in Visual Art and has taught at university in art, design, and photography. He has exhibited widely in Australia, America, and Europe. Based in Australia, Stephen is currently living and working in London.