It was proposed to have a monthly meet up of the House-Paradox artists and we were delighted that Jenny Fairweather,
Mike Harrison, Peter Norris and Mark Priestley were able make the first 'meet up' to meet up in
the Marcel Gallery at Beach Creative to share and discuss ideas. The challenging brief of
exploring the paradoxes of “house/home” clearly is stimulating creative
thinking and also some risk-taking dealing with personal and social issues.
Some artists are experimenting with technology, using found objects in new meaningful
ways. Other artists have stated to us they will be using photography, film,
sound recording and installation, as well as traditional media.
Jenny, one of our three artists from
Maidstone, brought examples of her large, atmospheric photographic images of
abandoned post First World War bungalows built for returning soldiers. Recently
demolished to build an Aldi and MacDonalds, instead of being reconstructed for
today’s housing needs, their empty windows, poignantly eroded by sunlight, were
a comment on today’s undervaluing of the home when retail development takes
priority.
Mike mentioned his childhood household memories
of a controlling father, and enthusiastically the “happenstance” of finding a
old bungalow type doll’s house on a recent walk. He was considering turning
this on its side to form a large 3d construction with multiple views through,
incorporating both the pleasant and darker sides of house and home.
Peter had previously emailed us with an
idea of working with a multigenerational view of a family home, focusing on his
grandmother’s house, but was also thinking of working on the idea of a
horizontal painting, perhaps relating to a visual time line.
Mark’s childhood in a scary, deteriorating
older house, where there was no electric light on his bedroom landing, had
stimulated a life-size retrospection installing in a “viewing booth”. His plans
included incorporating found objects and peeling Victorian wallpaper together
with a LED lighting system on a changing cycle activated by the gallery visitor.
This would be accessible to all, including wheelchair users and children.
Karen proposed to work on a found cabinet
as a household “medicine chest”, exploring the idea that in the past
natural/herbal remedies used in the home could literally cure, or kill you, if
used in inappropriate doses. She mentioned that the extract of the poisonous
plant foxglove digoxin, still used as
a heart stimulant, is suspected of causing premature death amongst some
patients.
Veronica’s idea was a personal challenge using
a “picture perfect” cottage (doll’s house) to draw attention to the sort of serious
household disruption that we prefer to remain undisclosed: domestic abuse,
paranormal happenings and mental health issues. Inside, miniature scenarios were
to be suggested by implication, using light effects, non-figurative imagery and
text.
