THE INTERVIEW


inspire and uplift people that have or are going through adversity…to show people that with the right guidance and inspiration, we can achieve success with anything in life, despite difficulty.


It’s a piece about life and inspiration; about what you can overcome and what you can become and achieve. How we can change and are always changing. I wanted to inspire others to overcome any adversity that they may have in life, and know that they too can persevere, like Jesus has done.


PM: How did the concept develop?


Bryan: I wanted an inspiring image. No other image in the history of humankind achieves that better than the image of Jesus Christ. Te medium is computer keyboard keys. Te keys allowed me to create an image like an old black and white photograph, which refers to the past, while simultaneously linking together the future with the use of the computer keys. It shows we, as human beings, have continued to persevere throughout the creation of human life.


As you are drawn closer, the piece offers much more than first glance permits. Each key was placed to create a body of text regarding the theme of perseverance in life. Consciously and intentionally each key was left as it was discovered, as to represent the diversity of the individuals whom the keys were donated from. Indeed, there is a fingerprint on each key, just as Jesus has His fingerprint on every one of us.


PM: What was the creative process like?


Bryan: Te materials in “Perseverance” came from 781 computer keyboards and took almost 350 hours to create. Te letters spell Bible verses, and other inspirational sayings, with no spaces in between. I used my phone to take pictures of the image as I was building it. Te process created a black and white photograph image instead of pixels to assist me with keeping the face of Jesus clear.


When I needed to use a key other than a black one, like gray, white, etc., I would hunt in my letter bin (I had a bin for every letter of the alphabet) for the correct letter and color needed to fulfill the two needs – the words and the picture. Te black and white picture represents the past; the computer keys represent change and technology.


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Martha Richardson has been a member of the Louisville NPM Board since 2012, and director and co-director since 2016. She cantors at her home parish of St. Bernadette, and regularly in other parishes around the


Archdiocese of Louisville. She currently is a core member of the NPM National Convention Team working hard to welcome NPM members to Louisville July 7-10, 2020.


PM: What kind of response does the work prompt?


Bryan: When “Perseverance” was first displayed on the back wall of a gallery here in Louisville, people would walk in and be drawn toward the image. Once in front of the piece, they spend 10-15 minutes experiencing the work. Conversely, research says on average, people spend 17 seconds in front of a painting in a museum.


PM: How does a work like “Perseverance” address adversity in society – and what kind of adversity?


Bryan: Lack of respect of authority. Tis starts at home, with raising our children, and can be seen in our schools, toward our teachers, law enforcement and even respect for themselves. And while technology can be a great thing unifying people, offering help and connection, it is also very easy to hide behind a computer screen, and write mean and disrespectful things. We should be teaching the children in our lives to be respectful, accountable, ethical and the basic meaning of the Ten Commandments. “Perseverance” represents Jesus overcoming the ultimate lack of respect.


PM: What do you hope people will take away from their experiences with your works?


Bryan: Trough hard work, perseverance and a faith in God, you can live your dreams. I strive to create artwork that exemplifies willpower, conviction, strength and character and hopefully it will motivate others to be the best that they can be, if they believe.


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