Humour is a recurring element in my work, often stemming from the exploration of ordinary facets of contemporary life. This year, I began to focus more on ‘the office’. With numerous previous projects centred around business and office themes, I was naturally drawn to the this, making it the current forefront of my artistic endeavour.
The world of work, specifically office environments, is something that I find interesting as there is an adherence to strict routines, and a trait of deep commitment to which those routines are adhered. It is, however, the collective idiosyncrasies that truly pique my interest. Universally people meticulously curate their office desks with the same portfolio of objects, and can prioritize work over personal well-being, deftly navigating tasks like lunch while fielding phone calls. All of this speaks volumes about the unspoken rules and norms that govern these spaces. The dynamic interplay between professional obligation and personal identity becomes part of a grand workplace performance of mundane activity, which I find captivating.
In developing my body of work, I wanted to create an atmospheric composition which was densely populated with artefacts created from varied materials, props which would be inter-related within one specific context. Additionally, I have always found myself interested in the misrepresentation of items, taking something which has little inherent value and transforming it into something which I have spent time and effort on.
Whilst I initially experimented with painting and drawing to execute my concepts, I found myself consistently drawn back to sewing and embroidery. As I combined sewing and the industrious office environment, I became more aware of the deliberate juxtaposition between the structured, fast-paced nature of the modern world and the slow meticulous process of textile art.
By intertwining these seemingly disparate elements, I aim to provoke contemplation and appreciation for the intricacies hidden within the chaos of everyday existence. Through my work, I invite viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the intricate beauty found within the chaos of everyday life.
