interview with Tripp Jarvis

Who are you and what do you do? Include a little about your background.

I grew up in rural Holly Springs , North Carolina with my parents and two siblings. I do not  remember a time when I was not creating something- making some kind of art. Creativity and imagination have always been a part of my make-up, for better and worse.  At the age of nineteen I suffered a breakdown, where I was confronted with the darker side to my imagination. Memories of sexual abuse surfaced, along with drug swamped religious revelations. Later, I would be diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder.  As challenging as those times were, the fantasies that surfaced became the source of the inspiration for my art. I consider those days to be my “dark gift”.  It drew me away from a reckless life of drugs and into a life of moral introspection where art became the medicine and magic talisman.

Many  years later, during my late twenties,  I found myself living in Eastern Europe studying art. I returned to the states to earn an MFA from East Carolina University.. Today, I am trying to be a healing force in the world through my art. As a sculptor, writer, and  Tai Chi practitioner, I am constantly drawn to the idea that the suffering we experience in life, when combined with art, may be used as a source of energy to further transform our lives into  meaningful society. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? 

My dad always told me when I greeted someone to look him or her in the eye and offer a firm handshake. By this I  believe he also meant - honor each person you meet.

Many years ago, I witnessed the importance of this statement through a professor of mine, and it has remained the most simple, and impactful  lesson to this day. One day, in undergraduate school, I was walking down the hallway near the sculpture department. I was coming around the corner just as my professor was entering the building. In the same moment Jessie, the janitor, was passing through the hall. My professor stopped, said hello to Jessie, and asked  how he was. They had a short conversation and then went about their day. Growing up in high school the janitors were always ignored- they were invisible people. Watching my professor talking to Jessie, I witnessed my first moment of the divine manifestation of one man honoring another, no matter their social, economic, or culture status.

Everyone deserves a firm handshake, to be looked in the eye, and feel the acknowledgement that their person is honored. I went up to Jessie, introduced myself and we became friends. From then on everyday we crossed paths we talked for a few moments. 

What do you love about your work?

My favorite thing about being a sculptor is providing the iron casting experience to my community. I love witnessing  the spark of pure joy  and awe that fills the eyes of those gathered together;  spreading an  illumination that radiates through the entirety of their being: knowing that they are sharing in a communion of souls. This fire and metal dance,  for at least a couple of hours, becomes the healing balm and elixir that I offer to the world.

And to know that that desire to heal and to become a better person was sparked in the throes of psychosis brings some reassurance that everything has purpose when you seek to give it meaning.

What do you hate about it?

Developing patience

Professionally, what’s your goal?

To use my creative talents to inspire others to take the chance in following their dreams, and to be an example that no matter what we have suffered in the past, we can use those experiences to have an impact on the world. No matter how insignificant we may feel, or how steep the journey up the mountain may be, there is a path that can lead us to a rewarding life. Know that there will be help and support through the challenges we face.

What superpower would you love to have and why?

I would like to be able to look into someone’s eyes and be able to discern their destiny

What places are most inspiring to you?

Emerald Isle NC is a place of solace for me. Growing up, my family and I spent our summer vacations at Emerald Isle. Those were always joyful times. I only have fond memories to sift through the sands of time. Even during adolescence, when my father and I were at  terrible odds with each other, the sands of Emerald Isle drew a sacred circle around me and my family. It presented a power and energy that took us beyond our mundane relationships to where we could perceive a divine presence in each other.

We often walked on the beach at sunset while the sky turned purple, yellow and red while laying the vibrant sun  to bed, silently passing the baton of illumination to the lights that ran along the length of the nearby pier. Everyday we  ceremonially charged and rode the crashing waves as Banzai warriors. We spent afternoons following the lost trail to the best shell we could find. Thus finding hope to carry home with us so that we may remember the sacred circle. At Emerald Isle we became more.

We allowed each other to be more than just mom or dad, or brother and sister. Each day we spent at the beach we went further beyond the boundary of the beyond and into the revolving mystery of witnessing the moments to be blessed.

What is your dream project?

Since my breakdown and my discovery of iron casting, I have continually sought ways in which to use art  to heal myself and others. My dream project  is twofold; one, the telling of  a very personal  autobiography of my imagination through a series of large scale sculptures;  the second is to use that story to collaborate with veterans, underserved youth and those with mental health challenges. I want to spark the fire to the healing story they have waiting in the furnace of their own heart.

The story arc of my imaginations stretches from childhood dreams of Narnia and Star Wars, through fantasies born during psychosis, on to the alchemical art of healing through iron casting, and finally  the resolution of the tale by sharing it with the world.

The Hope James Foundation, who have been patrons, supporters, and collaborators with me since grad school, were inspired by my story. Along with our combined belief in the healing power of art, the Hope James Foundation produced the documentary ”Temple of the Heart”, a film by Ajit Anthony, featuring the construction of one of these sculptures. The film’s timeline takes place midway through the story arc and distills the essence of my message. 

It is my dream to complete this series, building each  in a different country.  However, I want to be able to bring my collaborators with me, where we travel the world pouring iron with other cultures and sharing our tales with folks all around the world.

What has it meant to be a Liberty Arts Artist?

Iron casting has always been my service to Liberty Arts, to the Durham community, and to society at large. As artists at Liberty, we are  brothers and sisters in creation; each  inspiring and engaging  the world in our own unique ways; every time striving  to provide a meaningful experience - one that renews your faith to wield any fire that burns in the heart of your heart.  And to remind you, that you are, and always have been worthy to carry that fire. 

How has COVID-19 changed your life/business? 

Iron casting burns at the center of so much of my being: from the relationships I form, the manner I offer it as my service to the world, the way I seek to give voice to intangible and obscure emotions, and the communal experience of sharing joy.

With COVID, that has been shut down leaving this chunk of me feeling vulnerable and lost. My trajectory in life centered around iron casting, and now I'm not sure if I will be able to continue on the level I wish to.

I do several pours a year around the state and nearby, and each of these pours are a community event. All of them with the goal of providing a meaningful experience.

So I am left wondering - what do you do if you can’t follow your calling?