2011 Works on paper

This recent series of works on paper explores intriguing forms and ‘magical’ ephemeral moments witnessed in the natural world, such as the cascades of quivering birch tree catkins blown into spider webs, specks of dirt scattered in snow drifts, and the jagged growth of mussel shells on pylons just above the rising tide. These works function almost as mnemonic devices. The quality of sensations felt when viewing these events expressed through the formal/ chance placement of cut and layered paper.

These works have been created using a complex range of techniques and processes. Japanese paper, hand painted with a variety of aqueous media and pigments, has been subsequently cut into thousands of small circles. Reassembled, sewn together with cotton and metallic thread, and glued across a Fabriano artistico paper support. The patterns formed during this process are arranged through a self-perpetuating logic in which each circle forms a proliferation of expanding clusters. Chance and ordered structures relating to painting, shallow relief, colours and formations approximate those found in the natural world. The paper circles cast shadows, camouflage surface, tremble and erupt.

These works also refer to early 1960’s Yayoi Kusama works on paper, which rely in part on found stationery materials such as airmail stickers, hole punch paper and reinforcement loops. Simple materials placed in complex arrangements that suggest continued growth into infinity.