They act as magical portals to moments of time at a flick of a switch …
There’s always a first and Vessel Nº1 (seen below) came into existence back in 2012 after a visit to New York whilst working on a private commission. I had been documenting the view from an apartment roof top when the weather changed and it began to snow. After seeing the footage i wanted to reinvigorate the idea of the ‘Vessel’ i had during my time at art college, (11 years prior). The concept was to make small scale wall mounted sculptures that held film vignettes. Drawing inspiration from victorian magic lanterns, the imagery would be housed within the objects rather than projected on walls. These scenes would be visible through a small optic acting as portals to alternate spaces.
The sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and art fairs within the UK. In 2019, Dreams Of Somewhere Else (Vessel above) was awarded the Aesthetica prize at the ING Discerning Eye exhibition.
Below are short extracts of the Vessels in action. These are a small curated selection starting with Vessel Nº1.
All have been handmade in the studio from natural solid timber, finished with non-toxic natural oils and waxes. Oak (variations of light to mid tones), Walnut (the mid deep brown tones) & Bog Oak (deep black toned wood) are the timber species used to build the Vessels displayed below.
Vessel Nº1 - New York City Snowscape
Cedar wood. Silent looping film lasting 58 mins showing New York City during a snow storm
The Passing
Oak, walnut and bog oak. Silent looping film lasting 1hr 45mins. Made during lockdown 2020.
Moonscape 50 & 50~s
Oak, bog oak & walnut. Silent looping film lasting 1hr 18mins 12secs, showing the phases and libration of the Moon from 2011-19.
L.A.T.E
Bog oak. Silent looping film lasting 52mins 29sec showing select American atom bomb tests from 1953-1962.
SunScape 2015
Silent looping film, lasting 28mins 32secs, showing the rotation of the Sun from January 1st 2015 til December 31st of the same year.
Seascape
Silent looping film, lasting 50 mins.
“Everything comes from the sea and everything returns to it. It is a place of birth, transformation and rebirth. With its tides, the sea symbolises a transitory condition of uncertainty, doubt and indesicion which can end well or ill. Hence the sea is an image simultaneously of death and of life.”- Jean Chevalier & Alain Gheerbrant
Dancescape
Oak. Silent looping film lasting 48 mins.
Memory Vessel
Oak & walnut. Commissioned silent 8mm family footage lasting 56 mins.
Dreams Of Somewhere Else (D.O.S.E)
Oak & walnut. Silent looping film lasting 1hr and 12 mins.
Glyn’s Moon
Bog oak. Silent looping film lasting 1hr 18mins 12secs, showing the phases and libration of the Moon from 2011-19.
Antony’s Atom
Bog oak. Silent looping film lasting 52mins 29sec showing select American atom bomb tests from 1953-1962.
The Twins
Oak, walnut & bog oak. Silent looping film lasting 1hr 18mins 12secs, showing the phases and libration of the Moon from 2011-19.