Michael Brennand-Wood
An object can be defined as a material, perceived by the senses, the end of an effort or activity, it may be a goal, something mental or physical towards which thought, action or feeling is directed. My Objects are equally ambiguous in how they may be understood, they have sculptural, painterly, architectural and textile qualities inherent within their construction. Structure and rhythm are the foundation stones, on which I build. I’ve always been interested in instructional directives, old manuals, textbooks of black and white graphic drawings that tell you what to do, recipes to follow or in my case question, subvert and reinvent. My work ultimately goes exactly where it wants to go, I facilitate that process but I certainly don’t control it. Each work is in effect an individual game, a conversation between maker and outcome, what you see in my use of line is the evidence of play; the moves made and counteracted, the strategies employed. Of particular importance in this series is the ground; I wanted to create a bespoke surface that would be accessible from all directions, there is no hierarchal primary viewpoint. I’ve exhibited with jewellers on many occasions; our constructional sensibilities are almost identical; the difference is usually one of size. If my work reduced in size and jewellery became larger we would meet in the middle. I view my Objects as tiny pieces with big ambitions.
Michael Brennand-Wood