I have been using old crates left over from a previous project to create the structure for my temporary dwellings and was beginning to have doubts. This photograph of an abandoned shelter, taken on my last can collecting session, reassured me. The dappled light thought the tree canopy above and the shards of light shining through the slats of the fence mirrored my work – it was as if the world was combining forces to tell me my work was valid!
The fence panels on the floor further tested my resolve – oh no, should I have made the shelters more ram-shackled? Should I have scoured the streets for discarded and rotting wood? Maybe I could have gone down this route and maybe in the future I will, but that will be a different project and it is important that I stay focused. It is also important to remember that due to Covid I have been working from home for over a year and I don’t have a garden to store discarded, rotten, bug infested fence panels – my family have already accommodated my collection of other people’s dirty, slug ridden, empty drinks cans; used matches; mouldy tea leaves; fermenting vinegar soaked steel filings; empty food stained pizza boxes; and much much more!
I like things to be considered and resolved, to transform and elevate the found object, to represent the shelter, not to re-create it. Throughout my degree, I have sought to find and beauty in the unexpected and express it through my work. At times I wish I could throw caution to the wind, but it is not in my nature and is something I need to embrace rather than defend. There is a potential for chaos given the materials that I use and whilst I embrace the unpredictable nature of the materials as I apply various chemical processes, the final work is contained and often in geometric form.
Part of the creative process is about constantly re-evaluating your work, often taking 1 step forward and 2 steps back! It is only by questioning ourselves, by doubting ourselves that we ensure that the work is considered and that the work realises its intent.