The Artists are Present (May 2019)

In the discovery of the expressive and contemplative potential of abstract watercolours in my own artistic research and production, new possibilities for human interaction were conceived.  If I could discover and reveal moments of deep feeling between paint and water and paper and brush, perhaps those could open up new paths for those around me?

I was also increasingly concerned by the artist/Not-An-Artist divisions that I saw pervasive in cultural ideology and implicit in the professional category ‘artist’, and how people in other professions were to put themselves in the category ‘Not-An-Artist’, as I once had.  I felt a certain diminishment of our shared humanity in this harsh categorisation, and the feeling of lost potential, depth and joy in those who exiled themselves in this way from the terrains of creativity.  I was suspicious of the perceived legitimacy of these categories and their governing authorities, and knew from personal experience how terrifying it was to confront them in making my own often frail-feeling work.

In May 2018 I explored these forces in the in-studio event ‘The Artists are Present’. 

The work pays homage to, challenges and converses with, the iconic work of Marina Abramovic.  I am a long-term admirer of the force and commitment of her work, and consider her a role model of extreme commitment to a personal aesthetic and values.  However, my own sensibility is formed of another substance.  In this event, the Artist delineation was further problematized.  In responding to the initial expression of the host artist, the participant also actively creates, thereby inhabiting the identity ‘artist’ in – is it? – the same way.  The materials, brushes, colours, and papers are deliberately identical in all respects.

This was also a personal exploration of the making of a moment of deep connection with a total stranger.  In this I found a very deep personal confrontation, as holding what was so immediately and profoundly a very intimate quality of exchange was far more powerful than was comfortable.

The work produced collaboratively by the artists held a great force for me, and the force of the event itself lingers still.

Instructions:

For the last year I have been experimenting with the painting of abstract watercolours as a means of expressing and exploring the nature of deep feeling. These paintings have been able to transpose a measure of deeply felt experience beyond the reach of language.  More than this, these works have become companions, in also teaching me about my deepest self and about the nature of being, in particular being-in-relationship.

I invite you to my studio to share this experience.  You may either participate, if a place is available, or observe.

Two chairs, two papers, two brushes, two colours.  The artist and the visitor sit opposite each other. Other visitors silently observe.

A visitor is welcomed to take their place in a chair, sitting opposite Elizabeth.

After a time of silent presence, a spontaneous watercolour may be created by the artist to express the moment of meeting.

The visitor has a chance to respond with their own act of expression. 

This event explores questions of intimacy, presence, spontaneity and artistry in human relations.

There will be chances for up to 8 visitors to take part in this event.  The works created during the event will form a composite piece.

(*This piece will remain the property of Elizabeth, who may show it or images or parts of it in future events or publicity.)