Solo exhibition - Beyond Body
Preview Friday 29th April 6-8 pm.
Exhibition runs 30th April - 26th May

This exhibition takes the notion that there is the possibility of a state or being, sentient or otherwise, that is post-human and explores this through a comprehensive body of work which questions differences between animate and inanimate. By working directly with rock and morphing that with the human body, I present a series of hybrid works – uncanny and speculative beings which seek to re-conceive the human. These works become zoomorphic reformations that display strange living qualities, visceral unions between rock and flesh that comprehend the geological world and the flesh world as united.

These sculptures, paintings and drawings investigate the essence of the things we perceive – the physical, natural world and our place within it. They seek to understand the sublime qualities of rock: physically as the very earth that supports us and geologically as the almost ageless constant that resonates through time, giving perspective to our transient lives on this planet. They ask: what makes a being sentient? Is a mountain or stone a being? What is it to be a thing, and can a thing be without necessarily being human?

‘I am fascinated by the interconnectedness between the human and the non-human, what passes and what outlasts, as a means of exploring our relationship with impermanence.’

Black Swan Arts
2 Bridge Street
Frome
BA11 1BB
T: 01373 473980
www.blackswanarts.org.ok

Open: Mon - Sun. 10am - 4pm

23rd June

This solo show at Cheeseburn combines all aspects of my practice: drawing, sculpture, film, photography and public art. Landscape is a clear theme which runs though the exhibition and in particular my ceaseless investigation with rock as a material and conceptual tool to explore the human condition. I am particularly pleased to be exhibiting for the first time, my day-long shadow drawings, pictured above. These have been made by continued drawing between sunrise and sunset. Other drawings and sculpture offer different ways to view this inanimate material and questions its interconnectedness with human kind. My large screened film Genesis will be viewing continuously, offering an immersive experience of landscape.

Themes of perception, duality, reflection and presence are continued in two large scale sculptures outdoors, in the beautiful grounds of Cheeseburn Grange.

As part of this exhibition I am displaying a working model and large scale images of my planned local sculpture Ascendant: The Elizabeth Landmark. The objective is to produce a contemporary landmark and cultural destination at Cold Law on the Ray Estate, which benefits the local community and economy, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s services to the country and her life-long dedication to the Commonwealth. The success of the sculpture will grow from a sensitivity to land and place: born in form, material and presence from the majestic geography that supports it.

This exhibit explores how my public commissions are interconnected with my studio practice through materials and concepts, how I work across different mediums and scales to investigate our relationship to the planet we live upon.

I will be giving a talk about my work on the weekend of 6/7th July.

29th & 30th June, 6th & 7th July
11am - 4pm
Cheeseburn
Newcastle upon Tyne
Northumberland
NE18 0PT
cheeseburn.com
info@cheeseburn.com

8th March
Known for its biennial festival of contemporary art made in response to the Isle of Portland, b-side never sleeps, holding events throughout the year at its project space - Outpost. This month at Outpost I will be showing my film Genesis, which explores ideas of what it is to be human and our relationship to the impermanence of life. To support the film I will also be showing new and experimental sculpture in wax and resin. These appear as rocks or cave-like voids, yet have a disturbing and uncanny similarity to flesh. There will also be drawings and works on paper, exploring further the theme of transience.

I will be talking about the work and the ideas behind it, at 7pm on Thursday 16th March, please come along. I'm afraid places are limited so you will need to book a free place HERE.
I shall also be at Outpost all day on 30th March if you wish to talk with me further about the work.

Touch Stones
16th March - 8th April
12pm - 5pm, Tues - Sat
Outpost
77 Furtuneswell
Portland
DT5 1LY
www.b-side.org.uk