I have had the best day in the studio this year today. Having been thinking about introducing found objects and spray painting them neon pink to add to the overall wall presentation, I decided to be really brave yesterday when I was working in my sketchbook in ideas. If I want to use props such as a brush and pan, and other items of domesticated womanhood, then what is more iconic as such an emblem as a wedding dress.
I decided to get it down from the loft and as I am divorced and I can no longer fit into it, I decided to use it within the work. Obviously this is a very private decision with its own sensitivities and as such, although I was happy to use it, and in terms of ownership, you cannot get anything better, I decided I did not want to film the initial spray painting of it as it was stage one of the destruction of it and as such, it was a private act.
2 cans of spray paint later, the white is all gone and we have lurid pink. I have it fastened to a dummy to hold it upright but I like the idea of it floating in some way, the internal body having flown away or such such romantic notion, leaving the past behind.
It is a deeply symbolic move, both in a personal and universal language. I want it to be about what we do for our art, the sacrifices it demands of us and how, if its in our soul, you have to embrace and not fight against, despite the potential result. The piece is about metamorphosis, a cocoon of sorts, like the butterfly escaping. I have also added loads of household paint to the dress, gradually distorting the dress and turning it into a sculpture and not a dress on a dummy. It is turning into art. I want to add some words to the dress and I have a few ideas in the sketchbook but I am not quite sure what is the right thing to do yet. I am aware that I only have one chance to get this right so for now, I will play with the paint aspects and further considering the lettering. It is quite think in parts so its really needs tonight to dry in a little. I have picked away at the polystyrene body shape to remove the shoulders/neck as I want it to be like an empty shell left. I have discovered that the polystyrene melts without catching fire very easily but the fumes from this are dangerous so it will need to be carved out by fire outside at some point.
Huge steps forward. In addition, to add to the sculptural elements I have been working on some books that will reference ‘language is political’ and all the books/magazines chosen are appropriate to the discussion and their binding title will be visible.
Also, I have been doing some old paint brushes and other arty bits and hanging them from height and starting to build up heavy drips of paint from them. I will spray paint that part of them neon pink also, to be a metaphor for the female artists body.
Finally, also been dropping some gloop on little high heeled shoes and these also will be sprayed.
So great progress today. I have come home very painty and pink. and happy.
I sense this is a huge moment for the end of the year show and I am looking forward to going back into the studio tomorrow and starting work again.
