TRYING
Goldtapped, Newcastle
Images by Ash Howland Davenport
TRYING is a body of work that marks the passing of time through a difficult period. Bullet Journaling provided a focus - the format of it means there is always a need to dot a graph or layout and fill in a page. Holding on to this routine compelled a will to create and to collate the data accrued visually in a way that speaks to the universal human experience. TRYING was prompted by a frustration at the portrayal of feminine mental health in the media as an often vacuous and tragic figure. TRYING seeks to portray the quotidian aspects of a personal truth; the funny, mundane and life affirming aspects of surviving mental illness. An interest in expectations and realities around constructed ideas and presentations of the self drives the work to seek beauty in the banality of existence.
Rotting, 2018
Art bench from 2008, clamshell, ash, feather boa, paint
Accumulating, 2018
Canvas, used cotton wool pads, fabric glue
Sinking, 2013
Concrete, foil, bubble wrap
Layering (Made Up Ecosystems), 2017
Left to right:
1: Polystyrene packaging, Soap & Glory flake away, Seventeen instant glow bronzing powder, Aussie miracle beach wave, Seventeen metallic eye pencil (aquamarine), No 7 Pop & Glow cheek tint, W7 Naked Nudes eye shadow palette (white), So..? Kiss Me body spray, Pantene In-Shower foam conditioner, used cotton wool buds
2: Polystyrene packaging, used cotton wool buds, L’Oreal Proffessionnel techni.art texture spray force 2, So..? Kiss Me body spray
3: Polystyrene packaging, 17 berry crush lip stain, Lasting Finish by Kate Moss for Rimmel shade 107, Benefit Dandelion lip gloss, Impulse hint of musk body spray, MAC blusher, Maxfactor Creme Puff pressed powder in 05 translucent, L’Oreal Proffessionnel techni.art texture spray force 2, Miss Sporty studio colour duo eye shadow in 202 Vogue, Simple Kind to Eyes make up remover
Counting (October 2017), 2018
Two audio works of the artist stating her mood on a scale of 1-10 over the course of two weeks, 28 minutes looped
2 mp3 players, 2 speakers, charging cables
Smelling, 2017
Dressing gown, diamente strips, fabric glue, wire hanger, nail
Burning, 2017
Baking tray, burned salmon