I have this week installed a new commissioned screen in Surry Hills.
The client gave an open brief which allowed me to be informed by his collection of paintings. Without losing my voice, I made a work which was informed and informed other works in the home.
The work was to function as a screen to contain the space and to provide some light but not too much.
I made a model which I showed the client to confirm my direction.
Paper model 40 × 30cm
Cutting in process
Plasma-cut, and bent using oxy-acetylene.
Because of the restricted access, the work needed to be light. Being light, to limit distortion the plate was framed, which would also provide a fixing point. The drawing was done in chalk and cut with a plasma.
Suspended, to indicate level of transparency
The aim always is to make something authentic. Authentic ‘denotes an emotionally appropriate, significant, purposive and responsible model for human life’, according to existentialist philosophy. It is always evident when a work lacks authenticity.
I still don’t have a title for the work. Most often by now a title has occurred to me. The title needs to be simple, memorable and descriptive to aid memory.
The light spills into the courtyard dropping shadows randomly appropriately.
Shadows
You want to make a tight work, a taut work, but it has to be a bit open too, to find its place, to make its shape legible.