Archived Exhibitions

Since exhibiting at The Other Art Fair (a very positive and uplifting experience), at the end of April, research, commissions and ongoing works have been the priority.

Researching movement as ‘a force’ has been one main focus, investigating pressure initially. Noting patterns of words and phrases, uttered by many I encounter and continually discussed within my own peer groups and with colleagues,;pressures are all too frequently mentioned. Discussed so much, not visible, always there, but on the periphery. Pressure always present, a tangible but relatable force; a driver, ‘catapulting’ work, a project or tasks forward can be huge positive, not though as a ‘constant’ presence. It is the ‘constant’ that we are often left in- we are ‘on’ all the time and this is where my interest currently rests.

Over time I have collected descriptive words and phrases which define pressure to people. These are acting as anchors and triggers to define ‘pressures’ within a series of works I am creating: ‘bombardment’,’ frantic’, ‘unrelenting’, ‘oppressed’, ‘never stops’, ‘sucked into the vortex’, ‘overload(ed)’, ‘erosion (of self)’, ‘confined’, ‘constant rush’, ‘being pushed’, ‘must’, ‘should’, ‘expected to’, ‘no boundaries’, ‘stuck’, ‘chained’……. All these, are acting as catalysts for work which I have defined as ‘non-visible’; Pressures and forces non- visible to the eye but very real and often visceral to many – ‘the tipping point’ – the point where we can feel that pressure and its effects.

Melting at the edges - b Tracing paper cutwork and pencil-2015- PFraser

‘Melting at the edges’. Pencil on tracing paper

Destruction of vortex continum

‘The destruction of Vortex Continuum’. Drypoint print

Current work in progress includes the following piece ‘Constant bombardment’, part of the ‘non-visible’ series .

ConBom 1- original detail - ConBom 3 - ConBon 4

Various stages of progress: ‘Constant bombardment’. Acrylic and mixed media

Although not yet completed, this piece hints at the cumulative avalanche effect many ‘small issues, expectations, should’s and could’s’ can have and are felt.

As part of this line of inquiry, I have been in contact with neurological professionals to ascertain the mental affects/effects sustained pressure and therefore stress has on us, which I aim report upon here over the coming months.

I would be interested to hear from professionals involved with current neurological work and the continual effects of pressure and stress.