Beyond the Body. Thinking through Process

I found the Technologies of Drawing Conference at Huddersfield University very helpful, if just to see how other professionals use and view drawing in their practice. I particularly liked the presentation by David Dernie, architect and academic at Leicester, the valid use of technology providing there is also experience and understanding of space, place and materials. That you can still be instinctive and expressive as you embrace the technology of the age. Also this probably helps prior to ‘building’ in virtual space

And Brass Art, a collaboration between artists Chara Lewis, academic at Manchester Metropolitan University, Kristin Mojsiewicz, academic at Edinburgh College of Art and Anneke Pettican, academic at University of Huddersfield. An excellent example of how artists can work together and the boundaries that can be pushed when the collaboration involves scientists and academics from other disciplines. The video illustrating their body scan work was fascinating, the body as empty interior, made me think of my canopy idea…

Great also to meet and chat informally with other artists and academics

I managed a quick trip to The Hepworth, Wakefield, the architecture and touch of the concrete walls and use of light in the interior makes for a really good experience. I also enjoyed Eva Rothchilds exhibition ‘Hot Touch’, for me her work and how it is situated in the gallery spaces is reminiscent of Eva Hesse

All in all I’m inspired and glad I went, the time away form my own concerns has been a great help and I’m off to my studio to make my work

Thank you to Franny Swann for the very encouraging comments about my drawings and beautiful dead things. It’s really great that she can see pieces emerging

A concern with my work has always been a perceived dislocation between my thoughts and drawings and the pieces I make so I’m very heartened that this issue seems to be fading away….

I’m inspired, much appreciated

Today, I’m reflecting on last weeks drawings and looking at whether they will translate into 3D objects, or not. And later this week, I’m teaching tomorrow, I’ll be working with mainly found materials and wire to make small works

I feel confident that the drawings that I have made over the last few weeks will help me build a body of work that I can review and discuss ready for my final year in October

I also intend to have a go at a draft exhibition critique on ‘Falling Up: The Gravity of Art’, currently showing at the Courtauld, it’s the first of three, required for my research folio. And as writing is my least favourite activity I thought I had better get started before I find I have looming deadlines…

I’m still at an emergent stage in my drawings, using different size sketchbooks simultaneously to help move across scale and lessen any feelings of preciousness or aesthetics over content. I feel I’ll have to work much larger if I’m to move beyond this pleasant stage and get started on a thorough investigation of materials and process. I’m beginning to feel I want to start making things…