Different peas, same pod

The line between teacher and student is always a little bit blurry at Creativity Explored. Suggestions, advice and knowledge pass freely between both parties, as seen in the relationship between Teaching Artist Grace Rosario Perkins and Studio Artist Christina Fong. Both teacher and student are fairly new to Creativity Explored, and though they don’t work together on projects, the two have become fast friends. Perkins does a lot of animation and digital artwork projects, while Fong finds computers “annoying and frustrating.” One of Perkins’ favorite artists is Anna Luisa, who will be leading a sound-art workshop at the CE Arkansas Street studio; Fong draws on Beyonce and Eminem for inspiration. Fong grew up in Hawaii, and Perkins in New Mexico. They both agree that the young Sissy Spacek was a fabulous actress: Three Women for Perkins and “the pig’s blood movie" (Carrie) for Fong.

One Dollar Bill by Christina Fong

Christina’s endearing, all-business attitude was evident early on, when she flipped the script and interviewed the newly minted teacher. Fong’s questions began discreetly, “Where did you go to college?” and quickly moved into deeper territory, “Have you ever been accused of a crime you didn’t commit?” But Perkins, whom Fong has given the nickname “Ginger Lopez”, didn’t flinch, and admitted to being mistakenly identified as a suspect, when she was ten years old, in a case of disappearing “mood lipstick” at the local hardware store. 

And Christina Fong, a former child model who's ready to strike a pose at any moment, understands the importance of makeup and accessorizing. 
“Celebrities, purses, and jewelry” influence her artwork. Some of her extraordinary paper sculptures of designer handbags show a fashionista's attention to detail:

Handbag by Christina Fong

Beyonce Bag by Christina Fong

Designer Handbag by Christina Fong

As shown above, and in the lead photo of the teacher and student standing beneath some of Fong’s “Big Money” drawings, the artist loves “bling” and has the swagger to match, but Perkins can don the diva glasses as well.
 

If you stop by the studio, you’ll see many relationships like this one that’ll have you wondering, “Who’s the teacher? Who’s the student?” and the answers switch back and forth so many times that you will soon forget the questions and realize that we’re all learning, we’re all teaching, and we’re friends, like Christina and Grace.

Above: Left, Grace Rosario Perkins; Right, Christina Fong

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