Stephen Collins

Exhibiting from Saturday, 9th July 2011

For the launch of Unfinished Business I am showing two works, untitled-found object 2009 is sited in the conservatory and responds directly to the seductive nature of the space, the playful juxtaposition of both plant and printed matter is amplified through the use of scale. out in the dark is a series of prints utilising found, gifted and sentimental objects, these have been placed alongside the existing collected objects of the Cabinet of Curiosities and reference the traditions of the Wunderkammer.

untitled-found object 2009, archival inks on cotton rag

out in the dark - a series of found, gifted and sentimental objects, 2011. archival inks on cotton rag

For future consideration

All National Trust properties have a bits box, a collection of broken and remaindered objects, fragments that have been catalogued and archived in the hope that one day they may be repaired and restored to their place within the property. In practice many of these objects lie untouched for many a year and the momentum to restore dissipates.  It is my intention to explore these objects and the possibilities they suggest within the context of my continuing experimentation of non camera photography, the object/non object and methods we employ to both celebrate and validate. Specifically it should be seen within the context of Wallington Hall's Cabinet of Curiosities and the traditions of the Wunderkammer.


Another consideration which may contain the results of these investigations is the curating and re-hanging of the works within the Dolls House collection. Up until now I have either made works that reflect the precise 1:1 aspect of the object or I have played with scale, exaggerating the size of the objects I work with. Here I intend to shrink the resulting images to miniature, offering a discreet intervention within the space. I am currently discussing the idea of a co-curated re-hang and have started negotiations with an artist who has experience of working with painting in a miniature form. The opportunities that  arise from working with others on a joint project allow for a breadth and diversity of practice whilst also being able to consider the differing motivations we may have for working with scale.

mailto:[email protected]
clicking on any of the images above will take you to an external site where you may view these and other works by Stephen