Salford artist statements 2006

Salford 2006

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Matthew Davies

My specialist medium is painting and I plan to continue this type of practice with this project. My work combines a vast amount of resources. Newspapers, photographs, childlike drawings and the places I visit influence these multi-layered paintings. Photography is an essential part when researching imagery for my work and I plan to interlink this medium with painting in this project. My present style of painting evolved from sketchbook work and experimentation with photography. I etched into the photographs to revel the neon-like colour from beneath and distorted larger areas with bleach and water. The paintings are a transfiguration of these etchings/drawings, encompassing the spontaneity and bold colour of the etchings in their transformation into oil paint. Generating a sense of immediacy by congesting the canvas with multiple images is the main objective in my painting with the intent of compiling separate narratives. These multi-layered paintings create emotionally charged works. The arrangement of images and colour are monitored through the painting process to create an overwhelming yet modest perception that reflects on my past relationships and changes in lifestyle.

Laura Garcia Martin

In the last three years my work has mostly involved observation and analysis. I have been interested in such matters as loss of personal identity, tension in public and private life and man's basic values.

The chosen title for my first draft, 'Non-Communication Skill Project', was intended to encapsulate a primary notion. But actually, I would try to go beyond the basic idea, developing the topics mentioned above. With this end in mind, my main concern will be to turn the idea of communication itself into a creative means.

Therefore my work would involve;

Exploring the barriers that an individual puts up in relation to her/himself (reflecting the idea which divides reality from idealism), Portraying how symbols function in the act of communicating, Researching the influence of mass media on people and, Analysing how these processes relate to each other.

Even though my work will go onto examine these topics, it will also attempt to explain the importance, as I see it, of continuing to look at the issue of communication as this impacts on my daily life.

Although the use of photography and drawing has helped my to discover a fascinating way to link works with images, I am also interested in exploring the mixture of digital and traditional media.

At the moment I am particularly involved in letterpress, typography and live animation. Equally important to me is the research aspect of my work.

Suzanne Patterson

My work is based round the idea of using multiples; I work in the medium of drawing, installation and sculpture. I have used text and codes in previous shows as a way of examining languages and how people react to different forms of expression. With all my ideas, it usually starts out being explored in 2D form and then will evolve into sculpture.

When working in any medium I like to let the space dictate to a certain degree what the work is going to be and how it will be viewed. This has become more apparent in my later work at the Go Away gallery, the idea was conceived when I was shown the space and was able to work in it, I had a similar experience with the Generise project. I find it easier to create work when I can visualize how it will be displayed.

I enjoy trying to push the boundaries of creating and exhibiting work, I have had the benefit of exhibiting in a traditional exhibition space such as the Egg Space and the PR1 gallery but I have also been given the chance to install some of my installations in more unconventional spaces, such as basements (Infestation 2005) and on stair cases (on liner installation 2004)

For this project I would like to focus my attention on installation and hopefully animation. I want to carry on exploring the themes of obsessive compulsions and multiples from my past work and take it to the next stage in its development. My work is usually influenced by the space that it will be in. I have ideas for projects such as creating my own animated static or using bubble wrap in an installation/performance which are linked to the theme of compulsions and I think may work within this project.

Patricia Townsend

Stone Circle (working title) In this installation I hope to capture the mysterious atmosphere of the Cumbrian stone circles, referencing the mythology and legends associated with them. During the project I will experiment with various configurations of photographic panels, lighting, video projection and sound installation.

I intend to mount photographs of stone surfaces from sites in Cumbria onto rectangular panels, roughly corresponding in size to the human figure. These will be installed in the gallery space in such a way as to reference stone circles and to suggest human presence. Long Meg and her Daughters, a stone circle near Penrith, is a vivid example of the widely-held belief that the stones represent the human form. Legend tells that these stones were a coven of witches petrified by a wizard and that the large stone representing Meg herself will bleed if it is damaged.

Swinside stone circle, or Sunkenkirk, is said to be the remains of a church which sank into the ground during the night. This is one of a number of associations between the sites and Christian tradition. I will experiment with 'evotive' lights in conjunction with the photographs, referencing candles placed before statues in Christian churches.

I will also experiment with video projections of sunrise or sunset at the sites, alluding the association between the arrangement of stone and the position of the rising or setting sun. A sound component will contribute to the emotional impact of the work and heighten the sense that the stones may have lives of their on.

Relationship of this project to previous work My photographs, installations and videos are all concerned with the borderline between fantasy and 'reality' and this project continues to explore these themes. My earlier photographic montages embedded the human within the landscape and in Transforming Myth, a series of installation pieces re-interpreting the stories of seven women from Greek myth, two pieces (Scylla and Aglauros) retell stories of women who were turned to stone.