The Ineffable Forms of Memories

What I would do differently.

Although I was over prepared for installing the work in the gallery there are a few things I would do differently next time.

- devise a better hanging system. Tying fishing line was time consuming and not neat

- paint over rust spots on the frame. These can not be seen in the photos but I know they are there

- use a larger frame

- construct more “floor creatures”.

Overall I have to admit that I am very pleased with this over.  The large amount of research time paid off in that every aspect of the work is considered and meaningful.  This is first time I have made a conceptual work and it was something I struggled with many times. Before this work I’ve have always produced things that I find pretty and visually attractive, with this work the concept and planning and ideas behind it are more important than the individual components. Although there is beauty is the work, the ideas deliver more impact than the form.  I am glad I made so many prototypes and deeply considered where to install the work and what it should look like.  

I feel this process has made me grow as an artist. At every stage I questioned what I was doing and refined my ideas so that every component was relevant.  This was challenging at times, mainly as I had to examine the way I look at  how my PTSD affects my memories. Voicing my memories to be recorded and given physical form was not a pleasant experience but I feel it was worth it to bring truth to the work.

As a result of this work I will be critically examining my ideas for future works and taking the time to develop them fully.  I feel that all my work will have a heavy conceptual element from now on.

I have booked the uni gallery to install and finalise the completed work. I’m happy with this choice and hope I have a large blank canvas so the work stands out. 

I’m really liking my choice of material for a number of reasons.

~ low environmental impact as the boxes were being thrown out and every bit of the box is used

~ the colour and thickness of the boxes lead to lots of interesting colour variations

~ it costs nothing

~ recycling the boxes links in well with cycling of memories

~ it’s a statement about the current times, drinking has increased in lockdown

include this in the Artist statement

Artist statement

Some memories are controlled, hanging straight and orderly in the confines of the structure others are jumbled and trying to escape. Institutionalised. Disorderly.

Coded memories. Each object is visual record of the artist’s voice saying a memory.