A different kind of FINE - part one - CAS Online Summer Exhibition

For the Colchester Art Society online summer exhibition I wanted to create something that would develop on from the work I had in Borders #2: Abbie Cairns : Borders Exhibition - Ipswich Art Gallery (abbiecairnsartistandeducator.blogspot.com)

Stepping once again away from the colours and back to white. The font and font size remain the same, but the word material differs.

FINE the title of this self-named outcome was also inspired by another recent piece of art work showed at the University of Suffolk Abbie Cairns : University of Suffolk - Mental Health Awareness Week Exhibition (abbiecairnsartistandeducator.blogspot.com)

This text outcome brings together these two previous outcomes. From Borders, it borrows the layered card to create a 3D sculptural letter and from the UoS show, it borrows the keyword 'fine'.

FINE here develop onwards by bringing into the mix modroc. I wanted to create letters that looked heavy but were actually lightweight (always helpful if you are the one having to carry these things around!).

See the CAS online exhibition here: Online Exhibition | Colchester Art Society

to the sea - A journey - Part One

My text-based artwork often draws on language that has come to me automatically, however, sometimes I use found text. The words 'to the sea' come to in this way. I'm sure the words come from many places but for me, they come from a Razorlight song. They are three words that always get stuck in my head after hearing it place. I wanted to do something with them, in the hope that they would stop going around in my head, on repeat. 

Tiny Letters: Positive Space v's Negative Space

The first stop was to play with pre-existing materials, tiny letters made from both air dry clay and plaster. I enjoyed playing around with these and picking which letters from my large collection to use. I went for the ones that would stand up on their own. 

This then inspired some more air dry clay work, this time wanting to capture the negative space. I used my font stencil and a craft knife to cut out the letters and then left them to dry.

TIME - cardboard and vinyl

Time has emerged as a key theme within my Ph.D. research, you can read more about my Ph.D. research here: Abbie Cairns - Norwich University of the Arts (nua.ac.uk)

Due to this the word has seeped into my art practice. Time felt large and logic dictated that I made it - literally -  large, to show its importance and unwieldiness. 

The work uses cardboard and vinyl to create large-scale letters in my usual, ACcomplete4 font (the typeface I use within all of my text-based artwork). I wanted to use a martial that was lightweight and easily moved, but I also wanted to draw upon the traditional text by having the letters black. The thought is that these could then sit against a white gallery wall and has a visual similar to biro on paper or typed text on a word document. 

I am not sure where time will go, but it now exists. 

University of Suffolk - Mental Health Awareness Week Exhibition

I recently blogged about the development of 'I'm fine', a three-piece text art-based artwork. This work was created for the University of Suffolk - Mental Health Awareness Week Exhibition, which took place the week of 09/05/22. 

Exhibition Documentation

Photo Credit: Hannah Aria

The wall-based installation of this work adds to its context. The work feels small, surrounded by white wall, it draws on the feeling of being 'fine'. 

fine - part four

This text-based tryptic comments on the phrase 'I'm fine' and what it really means. Often used as a response to the question of how are you, what does it mean to be 'fine'? The work offers two meanings, the first, is neat, and the second is more chaotic. It is down to the reader to decide which is most fitting.

The worn wood feels appropriate and echos the sentiment of 'fine', it could be better but it works. It suggests a history that we are not privy to. 

Borders Exhibition - Ipswich Art Gallery

 The Borders exhibition is open until 19th June, catch it if you can! Keep scrolling to see images of my piece COL | IPS.

Exhibition Documentation 

Group exhibitions are always a great experience and allow you to experience your artwork in dialogue with others. You also get to see how a curator decides to install your work. 

I had initially imagined the work on a pile, on the floor. However, the use of the plinth positions the work as an art piece. Seeing the work like this, I am particularly pleased with how vibrant the orange is, and how clear the letters are. The work is easily read up close or far away. 

The use of capital letters feels like the right choice, which adds to its readability. An essential aspect of text art. 

I enjoy the juxtaposition between the gallery space and the DIY nature of the work. 

fine - part three

Layout. Three wooden boards. Two words.

I am not sure why I am so keen on using all three wooden boards, but I feel committed to them. One wooden board didn't feel impactful enough. 

The below image shows my initial thoughts about the layout. The top wood board will read 'I'm fine' and will be written neatly. The bottom two will each take a word, 'I'm' and 'fine' each. These will be spaced out and messier. 

The thought process behind this is that they will represent layers of thinking and meaning. The surface layer, the answer to the question 'how are you?' and the hidden layer, maybe more truthful. The cracks showing.

The outcome needs to be clean and simple.