Slowly . . . But it's happening, 2014
Second hand chairs
I have always been drawn to older domestic objects, fascinated by the stories that lie hidden beneath their worn and aged surfaces. These objects were traditionally passed down through generations, imbued with family history and acting as tangible connections to our past. In our modern culture, where 'new' appears to be a synonym for 'good', the relationship we once had to these objects has been lost. The constant replacement of old or outdated belongings has forced these meaningful objects into landfills, onto streets, or into second-hand stores. In my work, I try to create a new life for these unwanted objects, objects that might otherwise go unnoticed and unappreciated. In the piece Slowly ... But it's happening I incorporate numerous discarded chairs, each with its own history and patina. The chairs are each painted a neutral shade of gray and are precariously stacked, negating their materiality and denying their function. Each chair becomes a ghost of its former self, the haunting memory of something that was once discarded and subsequently replaced. By altering the chairs in this fashion, I attempt to challenge our perceptions of these discarded possessions, forcing us to reconsider our relationships to the objects that surround us on a daily basis.
