In this set of works I have focused on working on the beach using sand. I began feeling like I was going through a creative block. To bring myself out of this stage I looked at landscape photos I had taken and did some pattern drawing on them, the pattern shape developed from a certain influential detail in the image such as stone, patterns of the sea. Through repeating this pattern I find it encourages my mind to explore itself more and become more creative. After this exercise I started experimenting with some wire in the studio, still feeling uninspired I decided to take myself to an outdoors location. I got on bike and cycled to the beach, similar to Hamish Fulton, I’m realising how vital the bike ride/hike to a location is to my work, it begins the process of clearing my mind.
I found I understand a location which to me felt like a blank canvas, influenced by my image of the patterned beach, I recreated these patterns in the sound. I spent 2 hours on location drawing these patterns non stop. The process ended when I was unable to carry on due to blisters. I find this interesting as it demonstrates the obsessive focus I enter, I feel this focus is another world I enter,away from the constrainting, judgemental world I live in.
I realised during the process my drawings started going a certain direction, I believe this was because I was aware of someone sat on the beach and in my avoidance of this person my work changed direction. I feel when other people around, it breaks my cycle, and brings me back to the real world.
The person walked past me and my work, avoiding stepping on my drawings. I noticed he’d been sat drinking a beer. This amused me, I wasn’t the only one escaping to nature however his method of response was alcohol, mine is art.
He threw his beer can into a bush, this bewildered me and encouraged me to question man’s relationship with nature, although my work was natural and non permanent this person avoided stepping on my work, but didn’t care about throwing rubbish over nature. It makes me wonder what if all of nature was ‘decorated’ or moulded into something beautiful, would man kind have more appreciation and respect? Perhaps, this is what I am unintentionally doing with my work. I have decided I would like to create an engaging piece of work to encourage the spectators/participants to think about this and the impact on nature.
