Artist Statement
I tend to work on many pieces of work and projects simultaneously. I move impatiently from one art form to the next, dipping into painting, sculpture, illustration and theatrical installation.My art is my imaginative response to removing myself from the curiosities of reality. I create and build in a playful way. My experiments bring out gigantic masks and bells hanging from the ceilings and drawings of weird illustrations of these creatures that may live on the outside. (Images coming soon)
I refer myself not just as a visual artist, but also as a craft maker. I don’t see the term ‘craft’ as a traditional method of creating works of art like basket weaving, glass blowing or wood carving nor as a piece of art that has a functional use. I use the word ‘craft’ when applied to my work as a way of working with my hands and manipulating my fingers and thumb to control the materials I am using. I am constantly learning about my hands, they are the primary tools and the skills needed to use them develop and evolve over time. The element of the handmade in my work is so important to me because the time I spend constructing my work is a meditative act and helps me gain a deeper understanding of what I’m doing, The beauty of imperfections that are part of the very nature of handmade work and therefore permanently characteristic as a result adds to the complexity and the richness of the process and the finish.
I use all sorts of tools, techniques, surfaces and mediums to create my art. For example when painting I might use PVA glue, drawing inks, pastels and pencils all together. Texture in my work is very important, because I like people to be able to touch my work, to want to touch my work.
Photograph by David Goff