Philippa Lawrence
An experienced artist based at Spike Island, and Principal Lecturer at Cardiff School of Art & Design. I work on commissions, exhibitions and projects, nationally and internationally.
Working site-specifically and considering both being off-site and on-site informs my practice, as do opportunities to engage with and connect to others. I facilitate ways of seeing and being, involving people in their experience of and relationship to site.
My processes and material choices are always research and context-led. I work with a variety of different materials and practices— gold-leaf, glass blowing, industrial artefacts, cloth, ink, photography, raw wood, French polishing, enamelling, sheepskin parchment, yarn, neon, insects and plants.
I consider human engagement with the earth and its resources, the shifting value, production and status of materials, art and artefacts and am involved in on-going research into our cultural heritage and engagement with the last practitioners of traditional craft skills.
If you are interested in my work, or wish to discuss a potential commission please email me at: info@philippalawrence.com
Works
Stack
Throughout 2016-18 I studied tree stumps, stacks of logs and cut wood in Hestercombe’s grounds, making two site responsive works Shift & Stasis, transforming fire-wood and stumps through the process of French polishing. Situated in the house as part of the exhibition: Materiality: Provisional States, 2018-19 these works referenced the value and status of materials and the earth’s resources.
Stack, 2020, located near the site of the Turkish Tent in the landscape garden, at Hestercombe draws attention to labour and care within the grounds of Hestercombe. The coloured ends of this stack of logs are made using forestry tree-marker spray. They draw attention to activities, language and devices used in land management. The invitation to create work for this exhibition is an Opening-Up, affording me a chance to be experimental and freer in my practice.
Materiality: Provisional States
A selection of works made from an extensive research period at Hestercombe House between 2015-2018. The exhibition Materiality: Provisional states with Sarah Bennett and Megan Calver grew from a conversation about the estate and a series of seminars commissioned by Art Director Tim Martin, to discuss the future of Hestercombe at a vital point in its development. The works were made in response to site, the archives and time spent in the environment – accessing remote aspects not frequented by the public.
Studio
Studio is a site aimed at stimulating discourse on the relationships between where art is made and where art is displayed. Its content is designed to stimulate the development of ideas, objects, products and commissions alongside research, writing, and making.
Studio is the locus for practice, the place where ideas and conversations with self, others and materials can freely take place – unimpeded. Studio is a form of collaboration. Studio is a meeting point for discussion, engagement & invitation, from curators to public. Studio is more than ‘space, time & a resource‘, it is community and exchange. Studio informs my stance – through shared perspectives.
Studio gives voice as well as vision. Studio is locus for my practice.