Special Collections Room, Bower Ashton Library
Stacey Wilding
19th April - 30th May 2010
I am working through the medium of Book Arts; altering existing book forms to create sculpted works, alongside producing installations which contain existing, manipulated books. I use the book form as a ‘container/vessel’ for my ideas, which are a response to mental health issues. I am interested in the use of discarded books, using the everyday commodity item, to create new form, context and audience. I enjoy working with a range of existing books and inspired by their original formal qualities - the binding, paper and text.
I have developed a methodology of adding, subtracting or adapting in an appropriate response to personal ideas, whilst also high lighting the nature of the existing book form. The Book becomes an object, occupying space, rather than a collection of pages, text and imagery that’s intended to be held and read. I am interested in taking or removing aspects of an existing book, in order to create several pieces of work that are separate from the existing book structure.
Currently I am producing sculptural pieces, which explore ways in which I can express emotion and experiences of depression through the form of sculpted books. I have been using multiple books within single pieces of work, to metaphorically combined ideas and represent multi concepts or issues. I enjoy incorporating a variety of media within my book works, including- collage, stitch, textiles, metal work and found objects. The varied use of media enables me to create diverse, unique pieces of work.
The process of creating work is very important, especially the interaction, and treatments between hand and book. My approach towards my practice is intrinsic- works stem from an initial idea, yet the process of making is often spontaneous and automatic. This allows me to explore and experiment widely with my chosen materials, in an expressive, vigorous manner. The act of creating the work is somewhat meditative, and could been seen as my means of therapy as it has aided my ongoing recovery. I use film and photography to document my work, my sculptural and installation work. Photography enables multiple viewpoints, along with creating space for judgement and evaluation.
My Installations and some of the sculpted works contain elements of movement, and the audience is encouraged to interact with the work, allowing the forms and visual concept the opportunity of continual change. My intention for my book works is to be seen as insights into my personal experience of Mental Illness, informing, re-telling my story and hopefully creating an enjoyable viewing experience. I produce work with is often aesthetically attractive, yet closer inspection can reveal sinister form or representation, relates to personal thoughts, emotions and experiences. Although the concept of my work is very personal, I try to create work which is open to reflection and gives the viewer the opportunity to create their own perspective.
Stacey Wilding
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