City of Bath College   2008/2009

Jeff Pigott

I’m not sure where these new artworks came from. I had started on a series of large hanging panels combining printmaking, collage and paint. I got a bit stuck, so put them temporarily to one side.

I then found myself in the college studio working on small squares of corrugated card - a humble and underrated material. Over a week I produced 26 abstract paintings that arise from accumulated impressions gathered over time as sketches, notes, photos, news clippings and things found in the street. I started with no specific direction but tried to let my feelings and mood guide the works.

Marking Time - the title of this series of images was in my head during the making process. Only later did I look up the meaning.

Mark time

1. To move the feet alternately in the rhythm of a marching step without advancing.

2. To suspend progress for the time being; wait in readiness.

3. To function in an apathetic or ineffective manner.

The AA2A scheme gave me the opportunity to spend time in the print workshop, and the work I produced there later became source material for the paintings. It was interesting being back in an institutional environment with its advantages – access to materials, equipment, expertise etc., and disadvantages – bureaucracy, storage, not always getting access to working spaces, etc.

But overall it was a worthwhile and productive time and helped generate momentum and a new direction to my practice.