Collect, Saatchi Gallery 2019

Following a productive week in the studio along with students from my course’s maker pathway, I was lucky to have the opportunity to head down to London and visit Collect at the Saatchi Gallery in London. After previously visiting the event last year I was excited to revisit, to gain a wealth of inspiration for my major project.

Collect is a contemporary art fair showcasing modern craft and design.

Whilst becoming immersed in the venue full of stands from different galleries showcasing a variety of artists’ work, I instinctively became inspired by the wealth of techniques and skills each piece of craft showcased, inspiring me to continue to develop my knowledge of materiality and their properties, which is fundamental to my practice.

I became particularly inspired by the work of Katie Spragg, showcased on Joanna Bird's Stand.

I was intrigued by how she’s combined different materiality within her work, specifically by her concrete and porcelain sculptures. Having previously begun initial explorations of working with concrete, this has inspired me as to how I can combine other materiality with concrete.

Since my experience of exhibiting my work at St Fagan’s exhibition, I’ve become highly interested in not only the craft and artwork themselves, but also the way artists choose to exhibit and present their work. I was specifically inspired by the work of Ki-ra Kim displayed on Wannmul’s stand.

I particularly liked the composition of the objects, with varying heights and the opaque and transparency properties of the glass objects. By framing some objects, they have become an overall artwork and wall piece, the transition between a stand-alone 3d object and a framed wall piece.

Visiting the Collect has made me realise how exhibiting as a maker at contemporary art fairs could be a successful way for me to present and retail my 3D objects/ work. Particularly as I aspire to continue to develop this line of work further within my major project.

#Collect #SaatchiGallery #Researchtrip