Northumbria University

http://northumbriafineart2010.com/

For our online auction catalogue.

Writing about Becky Mills (she’s also my studio partner and a star to put up with my incessant doubts) I thought she deserved a mention…..

As the days go by, the mundane to and fro journeys of this artist’s life continue…however, she does not walk with her head in the clouds as I do. These journeys she takes, despite being necessary, are actually a controlled set of planned out situations where the physicality of the urban landscape is continuously documented. This is executed in two ways, either through a very literal system of, for example, recording down every bus she passes or through a more intuitive method such as making note of certain senses, colours and emotions evoked during these walks.

The visual artworks are presented as either photographs or, arguably more interesting text pieces. The artist uses the book as an object, choosing those with similar connotations and transforms the existing pages to suit her personal experiences. This changes the book from its original state, forever altering the publication. The text is in written in various sizes and experimentation comes through in the layout and font, essential aspects to the overall presentation of the work.

The photographs, despite being banal and somewhat monotonous, are significant to the documentation, instinctively taken throughout the journey at one minute intervals, the viewer can almost piece the artist’s journey together themselves. This work certainly encourages me to open my eyes when on foot and see the city surrounding me.

This was written a small while ago and I’ll post an update nearer to the degree show, I’m really looking forward to what she produces!

I’m having a frustrating time right now…

I pretty much know what I want to present in June, and I’m aware the clock is ticking, but I’ve been unable to press on with the main part of my work, the video. To receive AV equipment at uni we have to register for vouchers, and I’ve almost waited a week so far, with no word on how much longer it will take…Stress levels are rising!

I had a tutorial with Sian Bowen yesterday, and it was a massive help. I mentioned that I wanted to make a video this semester (a look of shock always appears when I tell people that, as I’ve spent the last three years declaring that I would never work in that medium…but it just feels very appropriate now) and she was kind enough to take me down to the stores, show me the right equipment to use and introduce me to a man who, hopefully, will make the whole process a lot less like a comedy show (because left to my own devices, that’s what it would be).

I feel more confident in going ahead with this idea, and I really hope it works out. I think I’ll make a book alongside it, as I need something tactile to play with!

Perspex or (ideally) glass cubes functioning as vessels for my “blog” and two videos of my paper instillation, allowing the viewer to become more “immersed” but less seduced by the material, creating a distance.

Ideas, ideas, ideas….I don’t really know how to go about creating any of them!

….Some photos of my auction pieces, Dala One doesn’t look it’s best, and it’s difficult to see the second layer in French Wall…I must work on my photography skills! Luckily they are being professionally photographed for the auction catalogue, I hope I will be able to use those instead!