My research statement

Translucent

Aims and objectives

o               To develop an initial exploration of working in 2- and 3-dimensions with tracing paper, expanding this to include other translucent papers and possibly materials such as resin
o   To create through this process the space for my understandings as a Buddhist and meditator to emerge visually e.g. as embodying through the quality of translucency some aspect of illumination/clearer seeing or being; in changing or impermanent works; in expressive word form
o   To use siting and lighting of work to optimize the paper’s qualities

At the moment I have three separate things that I want to get working together over the course: a kind of material, various media and a set of ideas relating to Buddhism.

By the end of the course I would like to have created a large-scale installation for a public space.

What the work will involve

I will be developing some of the stronger ideas from my initial experiments – a project entitled ’50 things I can do with tracing paper’ - while remaining open to different possibilities.  So the work will be an experimental process of working on and constructing with translucent papers, using different media. These will include  cutting and tearing as mark-makers, relief printing and creating sculptural forms.

The direction of my work is definitely into the 3-dimensional.

I will be looking for sites for my work which provide a light source that enhances their translucency and which invite contemplation.  Ideally these would be spacious indoor sites with strong natural lighting.

Starting research for the work

In recent years I have been absorbing the influences of artists working with paper, textiles and light; also of architects, and artists interested in expressing a spiritual dimension in their work.

Moving into the MA course, I’d like to take this further – I’m currently interested in Japanese textile artists such as Reiko Sudo; also Brice Marden, Rebecca Salter, Mariko Mori, Zarina.

My work is also influenced by reading of and reflection on Buddhist texts.