When I saw an Open Call on the theme of "Entranced Essence", hosted by a gallery that specialises in experimental and conceptual work, I immediately buried myself in the studio and finished three pieces that were calling out to be submitted. To my delight, all three works were accepted for the exhibition, also forming part of a backdrop for two performance art/spoken word/music evenings.
The London gallery, RuptureXibit (+Studio), describe themselves as "an exhibition experiment run out of a working studio, staffed by working artists and volunteers", and in keeping with their ethic of encouraging artists to stretch beyond their current boundaries, also gathers the exhibiting artists together for a mutual discussion of their work. For the self-taught, especially, this is a really valuable opportunity.
Instead of the usual Opening event, there was a "Finissage" at the end of the exhibition period. This was a reception with a difference, incorporating a superb selection of art/poetry/sound performances alongside the visual art. I highly recommend you get on their mailing list and attend one of their fantastic happenings!
My three takes on "The Entranced Essence":
THAT’S NOT HOW I REMEMBER IT
Recycled fine silver (patinated and hall marked); flotsam wood/iron object; salvaged iron tube; cork and stainless steel.
15cm x 8.5cm x 23cm
An opportunity to consider the fundamental role of perspective in the interpretation and re-interpretation of our experiences; the way perspective affects the brain's experiences and its memory selection, focusing towards and away from certain stored data according to an algorithm of alignment with the current state of mind.
A mould of the wood and iron textures was taken and then transferred to fine (99.9%) silver and patinated. Being a large piece, the silver was required to be hallmarked, by law. The silver and the iron have been sealed to prevent degradation, tarnishing and change of colour.
On a recent trip down under I was reminiscing with my sisters, and was struck by how differently we remembered/perceived various shared experiences. We each had our own unique memories of certain events, sometimes quite different to each other. In addition, I noticed that the stories told about some of these events had changed over time, reflecting our current ways of thinking about them. Sometimes the current perception is very beautiful and shiny in comparison to the rough and rusty circumstances being described.
INDUCTION
Fine silver (recycled), patinated fine silver; driftwood; and salvaged iron.
17cm x 27cm x 6cm
An introduction to a trail, and the offer of the power to follow it and stay the course, navigating dark constriction with the knowledge that success is assured.
Crocheted fine (99.9%) silver wire, embellished with further fine silver, mounted on driftwood and wrapped about with salvaged iron. Patinated silver wire binds the base metal together. All the silver, iron and wood has been sealed to prevent degradation, tarnishing and change of colour.
This art work started with a beautiful piece of New Zealand driftwood, gifted to me by my sister, Inanga Rose. The silver "trail" was then created in response to the shape of the wood. The stand I dug up out of the garden, I think it is from a Victorian fencing system, and the rings are very poignantly from our (grown-up) children's swing set, recently demised. I see the rings, coils and wire wrapping as reminiscent of magnetic induction coils, hence the name, and the silver as representing another kind of induction - into the ways of life on earth.
THE INEVITABLE LIGHTNESS OF BEING
Recycled fine, patinated, silver; waxed cotton; salvaged iron, stone, concrete.
40cm x 33cm x 12cm
Exploring the idea that no matter what the body and mind experience, the soul cannot be harmed.
Mounted on salvaged, flotsam iron, the silver here is formed from crocheted fine (99.9%) silver wire whilst the textile portion is knitted waxed cotton. The silver and the iron have been sealed to prevent degradation and tarnishing.
I've recently enjoyed exploring the concept that no matter what the body and mind experience, the soul cannot be harmed. I have found it very comforting to think of life like this, when I remember to do so, especially when considering the trauma and horrors that many experience and the deep sadness felt about loss of life in unexpected circumstances.
What a fascinating Web this is!