Statements of intent.

At the beginning of my MA project I made two statements, one for the application process and the second for a presentation during the induction period. 

The first: 

Brief Outline

The major themes of my work are influenced by my interest in theories of causality, chaos, quantum and cosmology that seek to describe the underlying phenomena shaping our physical 'reality'. The relationship between the micro and macro scales, the construction and dynamics of systems and the limits of what can be known are central to my work. Increasingly, I can see links to the structural dynamics of other academic disciplines and cultural formations and am attracted to the notions of wholeness and poetics.

The essential building block of my work is the individual handmade mark. Although superficially simple, each mark is unique and a record of a moment in time that cannot be repeated. During the process of each work's making, individual marks interact with each other, forming relationships that exceed the initial parameters of the system and unpredictable images emerge. I have made work using ink on paper but also make work using puncture marks or indentations that are visible only due to the action of light. More recently I have started to explore colour, which has increased the spatial qualities in the work, and have experimented with less formal marks, made using different speeds.

The aim of my project will be to explore the theoretical and practical aspects of these concepts in greater depth and to produce a coherent body of new work. By expanding my knowledge of physical systems and exploring the potential of colour, mark making, scale and new media I will aim to develop a practice that will allow me to engage more fully with the professional art world and open up opportunities for deeper research.

Describe the specific area of interest or specialism you have in your chosen subject area

I am interested in exploring the theoretical and philosophical problems of attempting to describe the structure of living systems. To do this, I believe that it is necessary to think in terms of interconnected processes that are governed by time, absolute motion, actions and entropy. As observers, we are an essential part of these processes and the very act of observation affects how systems operate. The structure and constant evolution of any system cannot be predicted entirely and, consequently our knowledge of it is always partial.

Whilst physicists attempt to describe details of these processes in mathematical terms, as an artist, I am interested in developing a practice that reflects the dynamics and poetic sense of these phenomena using visual and aesthetic means.

What relevant knowledge and skills do you have at the moment, and what further knowledge and skills might you want to learn?

I have built a strong foundation of research into modern physics, chaos theory, psychology and philosophy that has acted as the inspiration for my practice. The literature that is playing a significant role in my current work is the writing of David Bohm, particularly "On Creativity"; Frintjof Capra's "The Tao of Physics" and Viktor E Frankl's "Mans Search for Meaning". Within these subjects I have found connections which, with further research and experimentation, hold the potential for deeper insights and development of new work.

I have a strong sense of independence and commitment to my work. Currently I spend at least 40 hours a week making whilst maintaining a full time job. I exhibit regularly and have representation with a gallery in London. However, at this stage of my career, I feel that I would benefit considerably from the regular interaction with peers, academic staff and the opportunity that further study at the University would offer.

I hope to develop new skills and knowledge through the practical aspects of this project. Through experimenting with new materials and using workshop facilities such as print, video editing, wood and metal work I believe I will enhance the professionalism of my work. 

The Second:

It is theorised that at the atomic scale, a particle moving from one point in space to another will travel all possible routes available before arriving at its destination. As observers, we are only able to see the arrival of this particle but beyond our observation there are path ways that are unknown to us.
I find myself considering how such a small and seemingly insignificant action has such rich potential and the miraculous nature of its arrival. If that particle could have consciousness and means of communication, what could it tell us of its experiences along the path ways it has taken?
I believe that this theory has reflection in the macro world, consider the mind, an amalgamation of instincts and knowledge that creates a unique individual, inspired by all that is observed and learned, possessing the ability to translate and output responses. From the smallest and largest event a reaction is created, but the response is not simply a singular call and response, it is a representation of conscious and unconscious accumulated knowledge, which is purely unique to that mind. We as observers can see the output of the individual but we can never truly know the path ways of thought.
When we apply this reflection to art, the physical action of mark making has deep significance, for example, when beginning a painting the first brush stroke will fundamentally define the whole painting. From the point where the artist loads the brush to the point the brush touches the canvas the painting has infinite potential. All possible marks could happen, when combined with the artists mind, physicality and the environmental situation, the act of making this mark is steeped in meaning, largely unknown and unknowable. Once the mark is made it is observable and definable, the process is continually repeated, with each proceeding mark having an infinite potential, but always influenced by the first mark. As observers of the production and finalised painting we can see the networks of marks and we are able to get some idea of the process but we are also able to glimpse hints of the unknown network of potential.
As observers we are also part of this process, our own minds and physicality are party to the unknown pathways, we experience our own series of events that led us to the point of interaction with the painting and we immediately have our own entirely unique response. Which effects the painting, collated with the artists experience and all other observers, the painting takes on its own state of being with its own meaning and unknown pathways that created this meaning.
My intention for my project is to formulate a discussion of mark making and the systems that arise within an artwork to create recognisible subject matter. I will reference physical systems from a variety of sources and use causality as a central point, as all physical and metaphysical manifestation are subject to its principles. I propose to undertake research that explores networks and systems with emphasis on the unknown and chance, whilst also discussing the role of the observer.

 I will maintain a practice based on experimentation of new materials, colour and environmental situations that is influenced by my research, that explores to deeper extent current aspects of my practice and new avenues of enquiry.
My previous research has mainly been focused on areas of science, mathematics, psychology, sociology and philosophy. Particularly; logotherapy, art therapy, cbt, quantum physics, chaos theory, cosmology.  

 As you may be able to tell at this point, my ideas and intent were hugely broad but as time has developed the project has been refind and distilled into a much more focused plan, this has been accomplished with the tireless  help of my supervisor, Rhiannon Jones. as this blog progresses this clearer project will reveal itself.