Karen Davies
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At the basis of Davies practice is the need for exploration and ultimately understanding
of mythologies, both sinister and humorous, considering their relevance within
contemporary culture.
Davies will undertake a research residency at Isis Arts throughout June / July 2010to expand her drawing processes and move into producing animated works. Exploring new technologies to make some of the ambition of the work’s scale and presentation a reality. The page, the side of a derelict building, on a computer screen, on a device in your pocket. The emphasis of the residency is on having time to investigate, explore and invite other artists and curators into the space to give feedback. |
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| "I have been based in Newcastle since graduating in 1998 (where I specialised in sculpture), I have explored mainly drawing based execution, with drawing and text being essential elements to the narrative of my practice - when creating installations as well as when utilising printmaking techniques. I am interested in the breadth of drawing practice; in how we develop stories, narrative and hearsay; how personal experiences or encounters with the world are also universal; and in a pseudo-scientific approach to making sense of the world. | Current images are those of comets and the sky at night and anthropomorphised creatures. The comets are not scientific or accurate representations, but imaginings from a human being making sense of the universe or creating a world to escape to. “Some Birds” take a bleak look at an imagined end of the world. The idea of animals instinctively being attributed with knowledge of what will happen due to their own behavioural patterns often affected by the environment they live in. The drawings presume that their response would be similar to human responses – coping in order to survive e.g to run away, to procreate, to hide, to adapt, to find hope. | Source materials are tales, mythologies, memories from childhood - usually sparked by something that happens in real life. “Stupid Bird” was based on a government campaign poster that I saw; created to discourage women from binge drinking in the city “go out, get drunk, get arrested” – an issue (i.e. drinking) often highlighted as a problem in a major way in society when women are seen as the perpetrators. Other research includes Durham University Special Collections Library (the Bamburgh Collections’ texts regarding witchcraft). I am currently researching the trial of Jane Wenham, commonly regarded as the last witch trial in England. Future work will examine the small details that were used as evidence at her trial. Written source material for my work often includes Greek myth such as Homer’s Odyssey, the writings of Marina Warner, recent philosophy of Alain de Botton and the song lyrics of Kirsty MacColl." | ||
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