Arting in Response

About

The exhibition presents the resulting outcomes of the collaboration they have undertaken over the Summer, as well as a debut of their recent individual works.

Having known each other since the age of 3, the artists are aware that by growing up together, they have been sharing very similar contexts. However, their artistic practices are arguably quite different. Both recognising the fundamental idea of art as a response to the artist’s surroundings, they have decided to explore the similarities and differences of their practices in a collaborative show.

Central to this event, is the relationship between the two artists, “arting” in response to each other through their collaboration: the project consists of a dialogue between the artworks themselves, where a series of pieces is produced in response to each other, started by giving a work to the other artist to respond to. Individual works by each artist will also be exhibited, providing a context for their individual practices and how this was central to their collaboration. Amongst these, individual performance pieces will be included: the expansion of both their practices into Performance Art echoes their coming together in this exhibition.

A collaborative project such as this is a natural progression of Maria’s practice. Her work focuses on repetition and variations, as does the exchange within her collaboration with Becks. Her artworks often document her experiences and influences, which she condenses into repeated forms. Becks, conversely, is more interested in the nature of the artist’s relationship between their subjects, viewers and the exchange that takes place. This collaboration exploits the subjective observation of the artist’s stimulus and interaction with it. Seen in this light, the generation of more works for the other person to engage with, blurs the lines between artist and viewer, subject and artwork.

‘The momentum of making generated through this collaboration greatly appeals to me. Having an unknown variable out of your control in the other artists’ work forces you to develop your practise as you respond to variations which are impossible for you to predict.’

– Maria K. Marshall

‘As I consider the act of making to be highly performative in my practise, I am eager to present a piece which brings the outcome of my making into a performative space’

– Becks G. J. P.