PRIVATE VIEW // The Naturalness of Artificiality

When: 7th October 2022, 6 – 8PM

Where: Sandbox Space, Woodend Gallery, The Crescent, Scarborough, YO11 2PW

Free Entry | Wheelchair accessible

Ongoing pan-media series 

As a gardener and grower, the objects, processes and outcomes emblematic of these pursuits tend to imbue my artistic outcomes and inform my ongoing practice.

Within this context, I am often drawn to instances wherein the ‘artificial’ and the ‘natural’ coalesce in such a way as to create unintended yet, notable compositions and juxtapositions.

My recent series of works set out to interrogate such instances, creating possibly unfounded connections between eclectically accumulated objects and materials, questioning the physical and philosophical nature of “the naturalness of artificiality”.

Further:

Determining the ‘natural’ from the ‘artificial’ is a process I regularly undertake as a grower, making the decision to practice natural and organic methodologies, thereby avoiding the artificial.

Differentiating between the ‘artificial’ and the ‘natural’ within this context then seems fairly apparent. Yet, philosophically I find the concept of ‘artificiality’ within much broader terms to be far less definitive.

Artificiality 

“The product of intentional human manufacture, rather than occurring naturally through processes not involving or requiring human activity”.

But what really differentiates human activities from that of any other creature?

If an ‘artificial’ object of human manufacture is composed entirely of elements originally derived from nature, at what instance within its manufacture does that resulting object become ‘artificial’? 

What is the artificiality of an iPhone when compared to a hand-woven wicker basket for example?

Using such a definition, wouldn’t both products be equally artificial? 

Find out more about the artist by visiting his website: CLICK HERE

This exhibition is part of sandbox a new exhibition space in Woodend Art Gallery, which is showcasing the work of emerging artists within the area, who want to test a new idea/exhibition or performance. To find out more about sandbox or to get involved/submit an idea head to SANDBOX

Access
The venue is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible bathroom and changing facilities. For more information about the venue head to the Woodend website: https://www.woodendcreative.co.uk  Large print captions are available from the front desk at Woodend, and download our accessible document about the space: https://bit.ly/3OlFuqE
Email Martha with any further questions: curator@crescentarts.co.uk

Covid Updates:
Masks are still recommended to wear unless exempt, social distancing and regular hand sanitizing are both still strongly advised. For more information view our full Covid update here.

This project is supported by Scarborough Borough Council, Scarborough Museums and Galleries and Arts Council England