MEMORIA TECHNICA - 1March - 4March 2012

I have recently taken part in the mid term MA show 'Memoria Technica'.

It was very well attended, with a rich variety of work showing the talent and extensive artistic practice amongst the students.

Thanks to all who came along and to our amazing curator Christina Millare from the 'Cornerhouse Gallery in Manchester'

The work I exhibited was 9 inkjet photographs printed on to Hanhuemule Paper and mounted on Aluminium. The images were taken of the 'hand made bowls', shown here with their original partner in a vitrine along with what I hope are amusing (slightly tongue in cheek) descriptor texts; an archival, museological reference is made. Taking the 'bowl' as one of the most ancient domestic objects that still has relevance today, the work intends to highlight the distance and closeness between the three elements and help me to develop my understanding of the link between the original artwork and the copy. Many artists appropriate other artists work and make it their own by the smallest and cleverest of tweaks, such as Richard Prince or on a grander scale Tom Hunter. In my case using Old Master's or museum methods of display or anything really that has some historical value or reference seems to always find its way into my work. I hope this adds an extra layer of interest for the viewer and some depth of thought to the work.

In my current work the original reference point is the 6000 year old Tell Brak (Syria) 'Bevelled Rimmed Bowl'. Found in their thousands, they are hardly a rare artefact, but they are hugely significant as they are clearly associated with food and farming and the growth of civilisation, and through this have a connection with the kitchen and the Domestic.

There is something fascinating about the 'bowl' - I think it is about its history, its functionality and endless design and re-design. It is something that seems to be re-invented by cultures, rituals, science and the everyday and is the familiar object that I feel warrants further exploration……..

Link shows a short film of thePV night: http:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrU2q3Eh6z4

OBJECTS/COLLECTIONS/ARCHIVES

New images from recent work. Concentrating more on the OBJECT, COLLECTIONS and ARCHIVES.

In September 2011 I had notification about the National Open Art Competition…in fact I had several e.mails and finally decided to enter.

I made 4 submissions. Two were rejected in the first round of judging!! and two were accepted for the 2nd round.

I had to take the photos to Goodwood…the NOAC Headquarters. I believe there were 4000 submissions in the 1st round? and this was whittled down to 4-500 for the 2nd round? so I was delighted to have two for consideration.

The judges were an esteemed group including Gavin Turk (Artist & Chair), Francis Hodgson (photography critic FT) , Catherine Lampert (former curator at the Whitechapel Gallery), Lisa Wright (artist, and previous winner).

To cut a long story short on 11/11/2011 I received this e.mail:

Dear Judith Hayes Submission Title: Still Life. After Caravaggio; CONGRATULATIONS!! Your work has been selected for the National Open Art Competition 2011 Exhibition! And later that day a second e.mail: Dear Judith Hayes CONGRATULATIONS!! Your work Still Life. After Caravaggio has been selected for 1st: The TOWRY NOAC Photographic Award in The National Open Art Competition 2011 Exhibition! If you would like to look at the web site here is the link: www.thenationalopenartcompetition.com There was also a short piece written on the Wimbledon Art College blog to have a look at: http://blogs.wimbledon.arts.ac.uk/snapshot/ Still can't believe it …such fantastic news. The work will be on show at the Minerva Theatre in Chichester in December , I think from the 11th, and from the 3rd-15th January 2012 at the Pallant Gallery. This is the winning work (photo taken whilst exhibited at the 'Flock' show at the GX Gallery August 2011)

FLOCK

GX Gallery 'Flock' 12/08/2011

First composition. Taken on Med' Format film

Mounting: Backed onto Dibond, faced with Acrylic

Dimensions: 47"x47.5" (1190 x 1200)

The following work relates to my interest in Still Life and the17th century Spanish 'Bodegones' artists that worked at raising the status of the everyday object, often choosing to paint food and kitchen objects. My work is currently focusing on looking at the overlooked, using Juan Sanchez Cotan's work 'Cabbage, Quince and Melon 'as a template.

Two of a series of 6 phone photos looking at the stages of growing up and teh confusion of adolescence and parenthood.

This image was an experimental shoot combining two ideas: Firstly the image of Ophelia drowned in the lake; secondly, the drowning of Miss Flynn in Laurie Lee's 'Cider with Rosie',where she is found by the milkman, the horses are so startled by the milkman's reaction that they rear, the milk cart is upturned and the milk from the churns runs into the village pond.

The aim of the photograph was to depict the housewife drowning in milk, surrounded by her kitchen paraphernalia.The picture was never completely resolved but will be revised in the future.

Intallation:

Deadham Vale Lost in a Room in the Ashmolean Museum Oxford' 2009

Photograph of a small Constable painting, abandoned in a small room during a refurbishment.

The image reflects how something precious can be taken for granted.

Colour digital photograph on Hahnemuhle paper.