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University of Bedfordshire   2008/2009

Eleanor Havsteen-Franklin

‘An exploration of; the overlooked, the random .............and at times decaying’

Meaning that which might not seem to have relevance such as a found object on the street, a small scratch on a surface, the abandoned item or the difficult subject matter. The theory which informs this interest is that of George Bataille who emphasised the need for Western society not to overlook the random and decaying aspects of life.

In my printmaking practice there is a particular concern for the intensity of mark making, the texture and the surface of the print. My approach is very tactile and almost sculptural with pouncing and hammering into the metal plates with found objects such as metal parts, ornaments and stones. The idea of engaging with randomness in the actual printmaking process ties in with the subject matter of exposing that which may seem insignificant and the events that occur around us, out of our control, but leaving imprints on our lives in challenging and enriching ways.

In this research I wish to explore further the idea of my prints alluding to surfaces and skin with the looking being at a molecular level, as if under a miscroscope, and the printed mark as a particle. Both looking at the connection this has to my drawn lines which at times allude to female body forms and to the notions of randomness and decay as discussed by Bataille.

I envisage the research will involve using the printmaking and digital facilites, further reading of Bataille, looking at artists engaged with similar ideas and visiting exhibitions.