My initial intention is to create a piece of work that is visually and perhaps physically sufficient enough in its wholeness to sustain an interest from a viewer. Through the materials of wood and rope I have begun to explore this idea, creating something that can hold itself as an art object with the use of pattern and identifiable shapes. Giving focus to the simplicity of the work and its constructed materials, I am trying to create a visual depth to the raw materials through process and reduction.
Behind the finished object and its intent to be sufficient in itself, I have also developed an interest in the process of making that object. Because of the minimalistic and reductive approach that I have given to the work, the use of material has been really reductive, meaning that a natural attention to process has developed. This is primarily due to the natural properties of rope. Rope is a very ‘usable’ material in that it can be used for many things, but these uses are often repetitive. To wrap, to knot or to pull the rope, these are all repetitive actions and through making work I have inevitably been performing these actions time and time again. These physical interactions bring me closer to the material, but they also focus my attention of performing these actions.
Richard Serra’s list of process words has highlighted the significance of my working process. In order for me to create work I become very involved in the material, and working with its physical properties I begin working in a very repetitive motion. This is a continuous use and is reflective of Richard Serra’s list of actions. ‘To twist, to curl, to bend’ are a few actions that I incessantly go through the motion of doing, and this physical handling of the material (in particular to the rope) brings me closer to fulfilling my intention to experience a material.
