A done deal – 1 roll of best quality lining paper, 1 pasting table, a supply of biros, 30 days and a twinge in my lower back later – my main piece of work for the degree show is finished.
I foolishly thought that I would feel some relief and jubilation on completion of this drawing. Although not a huge physical effort, each sequence takes about 20/25 minutes, this drawing has generated more than it’s physical entity.
Every time I have drawn, I’ve been thinking about the drawing itself, drawing in general and my artistic practice. I’ve observed how the lines of the drawing, which I thought would blacken and darken the paper completely, have congregated into groups, leaving a surprising amount of white space.
As each drawing has taken place, the difference made by the repeated sequence of lines become less and less noticeable – logical really but not an outcome I’d anticipated.
I’m planning to make a square piece after the degree with a greater focus on recording each line and the accumulation. The recording I have done for this piece has been mainly around obtaining a record of time and sound. As I start to examine those times and sounds, I’m becoming more conscious of those elements of my practice. Things that began as practicalities are becoming more important.
This ritual of drawing has become a sort of meditation – a time to reflect and think as well as do. It is important for me to keep this in mind during the next couple of weeks as the final deadline looms.
