I enjoy creating objects and playing with ideas, but the objects are more important than the ideas. My practice focuses on the manipulation of materials, forming objects that consume space.

 

My preoccupation with space was inspired by Phyllida Barlow's Dock (2014). I was amazed by the space that her work consumed. Something that also gripped me was the way in which people walked around the work. Most sculptures have their own space and viewers don’t want to invade it, but with the sheer scale of Barlow’s work in the Tate Britain, the viewers had no choice.

 

Since then I have experimented with different ways of manipulating viewers and their relationship to my work, in particular their physical relationship. In the Spheres (2016) project viewers were invited to arrange the spheres on wooden stands in relation to the spheres properties or identities. This prompts the viewers to touch the sculptures breaking the usual rules of exhibition etiquette. Whereas, in Obelisks or Whatever They Are (2017), the viewers are faced with having to negotiate, sharing the space with the tower-like structures. As the forms take up the middle section of the room, a choice must be made to enter their circle. This is an invasion of the sculptures personal space.

 

I have now partaken in several collaborations. I think the ability to create one coherent piece of work between two people is invaluable. One Collaboration that I have worked on with Chris Samuel was Chess Family (2016). This project highlights the ability for non-artists to be complicit in the creation of ideas by conducting interviews in a therapy-like manna to get individuals to represent their families with handmade chess pieces created by the artists. These chess pieces are made from a variety of materials using traditional craft techniques. The contents of the interviews are then presented alongside the selected pieces.

 

My work is about play, but not playful. It loosely abides by various sets of rules, but often breaks or ignores them. It's about making, making objects that lacked form or structure a few hours ago, but now, stand tall and demand attention.