Elly Thomas: Toy

About

For her solo show at Vitrine Gallery, Elly Thomas presents Proto and Apparatus, two installations in which sculptures function as toys; kits that are animated through a variety of processes. Free from finality, the sculptures are ‘active' objects that can exist in any number of configurations. The silicone, fabric and papier-mà ¢ché sculptures that comprise Proto explore a notion of ‘early' or embryonic form; objects that seem suspended in the process of becoming. Propped on amorphous forms create a mutable absurdist landscape. Apparatus consists of invented machine parts that appear to have broken free from centralized control. Change will be built into the exhibition itself. Throughout the duration of the show assemblages will be ruptured and reconfigured, reflecting the perpetual flux caught in Thomas' animations, which will also be screened at the opening on Wednesday 2nd March 2011. The concept of the kit present in Proto and Apparatus will extend to a large group of drawings that will form a backdrop to the installations. Within the drawings a sense of non-linear narrative emerges from a repeated collection of forms that cluster, scatter and reconfigure. Elly Thomas creates sculpture and drawing that explores childhood play as a continuous, evolving presence. Driven by a desire to create objects that appear to ‘live' independently, she works with open-ended processes and emergent structures that change, respond and evolve in the present. Thomas is currently studying for a PhD at the Slade School of Fine Art. She graduated from Chelsea College of Art and Design before completing an MA at University College Falmouth in 2005.Exhibitions include ‘Hybird' at Vitrine Gallery, ‘Situation X' at Studio 1.1 Gallery, ‘The View From Here'BBC Bush House and a solo show at the Stables Gallery and Art Centre.