Previous AA2A Artist

Liz Ballard

Year:
2019-20
Project summary:

Within my art practise I am interested in exploring relationships between two and three dimensions, form and function, chance and order and the temporal and infinite. My work is often site-specific, with working methods that view the activity of drawing as a performative trace. By utilising humble materials and resources, my work makes a virtue of its own ‘economy of means’ by employing an elemental range of materials from ice and water, through card and textiles, to readings and recordings.

The work I would like to create is a development of work started during my residency at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (CSMVS ) in Mumbai, India, based around water harvesting. Arriving during the last days of the monsoon and drawn to the CSMVS gardens as both location and a source of raw materials, I was introduced to a rain collecting technique traditionally employed by women in rural India. Stretching their saris between bamboo poles, to pool and filter the rain into a centrally place vessel beneath, such simple structures enable women to meet the day-to-day fresh water needs of their families without financial investment.

 

Im wanting to create a new series of work looking at contemporary systems of harvesting rain water. Using found materials (pipes, tubes, etc) as well as hand crafted objects, the sculptural works will aim to collect and direct water, and explore the visual potential of guttering systems.

 

The AA2A scheme would provide me a great opportunity to dedicate time and focus into making new work. The access to tools and equipment will enable me to make more ambitious sculptural works, to explore new ideas and learn new skills. I also feel I would benefit from being part of an artistic community, engaging with students, staff and building at ARUand participating incurrent art and environmental discussions and debates.

 

Within my art practise I am interested in exploring relationships between two and three dimensions, form and function, chance and order and the temporal and infinite. My work is often site-specific, with working methods that view the activity of drawing as a performative trace. By utilising humble materials and resources, my work makes a virtue of its own ‘economy of means’ by employing an elemental range of materials from ice and water, through card and textiles, to readings and recordings.

The work I would like to create is a development of work started during my residency at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya Museum (CSMVS ) in Mumbai, India, based around water harvesting. Arriving during the last days of the monsoon and drawn to the CSMVS gardens as both location and a source of raw materials, I was introduced to a rain collecting technique traditionally employed by women in rural India. Stretching their saris between bamboo poles, to pool and filter the rain into a centrally place vessel beneath, such simple structures enable women to meet the day-to-day fresh water needs of their families without financial investment.

 

Im wanting to create a new series of work looking at contemporary systems of harvesting rain water. Using found materials (pipes, tubes, etc) as well as hand crafted objects, the sculptural works will aim to collect and direct water, and explore the visual potential of guttering systems.

 

The AA2A scheme would provide me a great opportunity to dedicate time and focus into making new work. The access to tools and equipment will enable me to make more ambitious sculptural works, to explore new ideas and learn new skills. I also feel I would benefit from being part of an artistic community, engaging with students, staff and building at ARUand participating incurrent art and environmental discussions and debates.

 

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