Culture Surfing - Chris Pig

British printmaker Chris Pig specializes in what he calls “the venal side of life” through March 31 at Decatur’s Vinson Gallery.

1) Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers”: “It makes me cry like a baby. Once it came on the radio whilst I was having my haircut. I don’t recommend crying in front of your barber.”

2) The Horse’s Mouth by Joyce Carey: “A novel about a down-and-out artist in London on the cusp of the second World War. I read it every few years to top up my hopeless romanticism.”

3) The Rosemary Branch, London: “One of my favorite pubs in the world. A friend of mine, Johnny Two-Pints, died of a heart attack at the exact place where I normally stand. There is a plaque to commemorate his passing. His last words, to the landlady, were, ‘You’re looking a bit shabby today, Kate.’”

4) Radio4@bbc.co.uk: “Anyone with Internet access can get it. Making art can be a lonely business, so it’s like having an intelligent friend with you to keep you company.”

5) Pulling a proof: “There is no thrill quite like peeling back the paper on a new print to see what you’ve got for the first time. More often than not it’s disappointing, but when you get it right you feel like God for about 10 minutes.”