Lucy Sparrow

Living In A Material World

- Gwynned Vitello

Jet-lagged and trudging through a covered mini-mall of more than 50 shades of gray, more catacomb than commercial, I discovered the store–or it discovered me. Colors and shapes roused my energy and appetite. That’s what happens in an encounter with Lucy Sparrow and one of her installations. The UK artist fashions felt and seems to insert a heartbeat into the everyday objects she curates into staged bodegas, sex shops and delis. Entering one of her shows is a trip to the theater, a textural tonic that infuses longing, nostalgia and camaraderie. Individually, each piece evokes memory. How splendid that her name is Lucy Sparrow, recalling the tiny bird that symbolizes joy and protection, simplicity and community. Our conversation began with an introduction to her cats (Aldous) Huxley and Buttercup (Princess Bride) as I roosted down with the sprightly Ms. Sparrow.

Gwynned Vitello: You wouldn’t be described as a performance artist, and I don’t think of your work as super-staged, but you personally are an actor in the experience.

Lucy Sparrow: I think there is definitely an element of that, though it was never meant to be that way. When I first started, it was never intentional. It was just that I had no one else to run the shop I made, so it was only me and my mother coming in to help on the weekend. A lot of people didn’t know it was me when I first started out. I was just someone behind the counter. I don’t get that as much anymore because I guess I’ve done enough of them that people, unfortunately, recognize me, so it’s not much of a surprise.

Your Mom! So she also had a part in the performance?