Statement
“Don't concentrate on the finger or you'll miss all the heavenly glory”
Bruce Lee
It’s in this single scene from Enter the Dragon
(1973) that Lee gives us almost everything
we need to know. A direct message from
one artist to another. A codified kick in the face.
We must transcend ourselves, look beyond
the autobiography of our tiny single digits,
past the transience of trend, beyond society,
humanity, reality and gaze deep into the chaos;
the endless expanse of everything, all at once.
Let it wash over us, experience it without
thought or question.
By entering this state we access the most
precious and vapourous of places - a world
of endless mystery where intrigue resides
round every corner.
Work without feeling is merely exhibition,
an empty presentation. It is only work imbued
with emotional content, work that creates
an emotional response, that is successful.
To feel is to know; as Gertrude Stein said
“enjoying is understanding”.
Aesthetics are important too but only
if we go back to it’s root - to perceive,
to sense, to feel,
Whilst Lee’s erudite body blows have
undeniably softened us up, the knockout
blow comes left of field from renowned
heavyweight Marshall McLuhan: We need
humour too so we can prod and probe our
surrounds; “[humour] does not deal in theory
but in immediate experience, and is often the
best guide in changing perceptions.”
So go out there and kick something - don’t
take your eyes off it mind, cos it might just
kick you right back.
CV
b. 1981, Lancaster, UK
Education
2021 - 2023 MA Contemporary Art Practice, Royal College of Art, London
Solo Exhibitions
2021 Negative Capability, Ridley Road Social Club, London
Group Exhibitions
2024, Sample, Chili Art Projects, London
2023, Overflow, Galleria Objets, London
2023 Graduate Show, Truman Brewery, London
2023, Alternative Airport, RuptureXIBIT, London
2023, Bliss, Royal College of Art, London
2022, Pure Class, St John on Bethnal Green, London
2022, Salon, Dyson Gallery, London
2022 Work in Progress, Royal College of Art, Online
2021 Summer Exhibition, Royal Academy, London
2021 Boredom Is Not A Luxury, Craft Central, London
2021 Thresholds, D-Contemporary Gallery, London
2021 Open Fragment, Pragmata Collective, Online
2020 The Benefactors, Bedroom Gallery, Glasgow
Screenings
2024 Fassiaty Video Foundation, Paris
2023 Tate Lates, Tate Modern, London
2022 For Your Consideration, Bow Arts Durham Street Studios, London
2022 Film Rendezvous, Dyson Gallery, London
Performances
2023 Ghost Notes, Fold Gallery, London
2023 Recombinator, Staffordshire St Gallery, London
2022 Capbaret, Royal College of Art, London
2022 I’m Doing This Because... , Dyson Gallery, London, UK
2022 Capbaret, Royal College of Art, London
2021 Tête-à-tête (CAP x GSA), Stereo, Glasgow
Publications
2022 Pliable Tools
2023 Glimpse
Radio
2023 Beyond Surface, Montez Press Radio, New York/Online
2022 Hybrid Realities x Montez Press Radio, Montez Press Radio, New York/Online
Artist Talks
2022 Peer Sessions Crit, Chisenhale Gallery, London
2022 Peak Humanity, Royal College of Art, London