March 2018

The ice project has been moving forward into a different phase. The concept of tactility, touch and physical presence are key aspects that drive my practice and a big influence on present developments. This month the need for a representation of 'physical' presence has inspired me to include a hint of myself in live ongoing photography and film. This move is to accentuate the juxtaposition of a physical materiality and ourselves/humanities presence. Through my work the concept of a society driven by a submissive and insatiable need to be consumed by non physical use of digital communication drives process. I believe without physical contact we do not truly belong. Digital media is a fickle tool; unless we are constant in putting ourselves 'out there' our presence is easily forgotten. Face to face physical, tactile exchange  generates a connection that is not easily forgotten. We experience and remember that person with a genuine authenticity which remains with us.
​By appropriating the elements and physical elemental process; being tactile and hands on with experimentation and exploration i remain connected to something that is in a transient state, organic, from the land and therefore living. I am connected and attached to the living; something that is real and true.
​Working with these materials their state of fragility generates tensions. These heightened tensions are what makes working with the ephemeral an exciting challenge for me; singeing but not burning, freezing but not melting; timing and instinctive restraint  are key to the realizing of finished work and pieces. However, many accidents happen along the way and it these 'mistakes' that generate further learning, discovery and developing process. 
​The fragility of frozen water and the effortless way it melts and changes back into its original state once brought to room temperature is something that when in contact with the body/hand i wish to explore further; the warmth of a living body its reaction when in contact with ice, the connection between the two.
​April appears to be a busy month ahead with another immersive and responsive trip to Kinvara, Ireland and live installation of melting ice sculpture at Leeds Arts University, as they say, there's no rest for the wicked!!!