Joanne Forrest
Joanne Forrest is a British mixed media artist, based in the practice of sculpture; focusing her work on the found object and materiality.
Repetition, reflection and mindfulness play an important part of the making of Forrest’s work and it is this dialogue with the material that ultimately informs her intentions. The found object contains a trace of human existence, with its own allegories and associations, these objects are transformed by Forrest who then leaves her physical mark on the work before the viewer imbues their own interpretation upon the piece.
Forrest’s work is grounded in the ancient Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi, of finding beauty in imperfection and accepting the natural cycle of growth and decay. Forrest embraces the concept of ephemerality and accelerates the devolution of materials through manipulation and alchemical processes.
Forrest has recently begun to embrace parallels in her work with the art of quilt making; of piecing together individual components, or blocks, to create larger work; of using materials discarded by others; of revealing pattern and texture in the work; and of a sense of home and community. Whilst the materials she uses are often industrial, or quite literally rubbish, she transforms them with a sensitivity of touch and creates a sense of order out of the chaos.