How do you know where you are?

'How do you know where you are?' is a mail art project lead by Matt Thomas.

Exhibition of contributions at Gallery 101, University of Plymouth December 2013 - January 2014

This was one of those quick pieces of work, that needs to avoid over-thinking! (Although the given theme would suggest otherwise!) My first approach was to pose the question, then pose other questions that would naturally follow from the first.

I handwrote the questions onto squared paper, filled the blank parts in with numbers and hatching, then broke them up by cutting, weaving and pasting into place. To me, this suggested a 'muddling' of the initial question, which when posed would lead to much deep, complex and possibly 'muddied' thinking.

'How do you know where you are?' 2013 

210 x 148cm. 
Ink on paper

Reading from 'Abbey Place to Zion Street'

On August 10th 2013 I gave a reading from my hand-made book 'Abbey Place to Zion Street' to the Pennycomequick group of artists in Plymouth.

It was an interesting evening with other writers and poets reading excerpts from their publications, including Steve Spence, Norman Jope, William Telford, Janet Tamblin and Kenny Knight. A wonderful mix of prose, storytelling and poetry.

'Abbey Place to Zion Street' is part of a body of work  investigating my response to living in Plymouth.

By handwriting a list of all the street names in Plymouth, I was introducing a metaphor for duration, referring to the length of time I have lived in Plymouth.

During the process of handwriting the list, I didn't consider the viewer's response in terms of hearing the book read out loud. I was concerned more with the tactile quality of a hand-made book and the spatial quality of the repetitive list form.

Initially, I was concerned that the text would sound dull, but, as I read, I became more conscious of how I intoned the street names, and where and for how long I paused for breath.

By reading out loud from the book, I discovered an interesting, rhythmic, sound quality to the work, which gives it another dimension.

Video of the 'Gathering' Exhibition Private View

The Gathering Exhibition

A great video, showcasing the Private View of the exhibition, was created by David Molnar and can be viewed via this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7hB7WgPuT8

Definitely worth a look!

Gathering Exhibition, Plymouth

'Gathering' Exhibition

'A coming together of diverse artists whose union triggers response and conversation.'

The Pipe Gallery,New Street,Barbican,Plymouth

Friday 5th April- Friday 12th April
11am -7pm

'All Other Routes', 'Diverted Traffic', 'Road Closed' 2012

'Redaction/Response', ' 49 Minutes', Abbey Place to Zion Street' 2012

'Ten Views' 2012

The Art House Co-op

New Project Series: 'In Five Minutes'

What can you draw in five minutes?
Theme: Buildings.
Draw the tallest building in your town.

Another very quick drawing, which I appear to favour at the moment!

However, the antagonist who sits on my shoulder, suggested that I 'cheated' in the technical quality of the drawing by using carbon paper to trace over a photograph! The 'fine line' was perhaps crossed.

I enjoy working with carbon paper, particularly when it has already been used many times. The lack of freshness allows me not to see where I have made my marks, thus creating a blind drawing.

Chichester House, Plymouth 2013

5 minute drawing 

carbon paper, cartridge paper

Chichester House, Plymouth 2013

15 minute drawing 

carbon paper, cartridge paper

Group Exhibition 2013

2013 promises to be an exciting year with a group exhibition booked at The Pipe Gallery, The Barbican, Plymouth at Easter!

I will be sharing the exhibition space with Jude Bryson-Meehan, Alexandra Kovacs, Clare Larkin and Mel Skeldon.
The exhibition will show independent work by the featured artists.

To get the creative thoughts flowing, we are producing a collaborative series of abstract works.

 Gathering #1, 2012 Mixed media.