The Pod Delusion is a weekly podcast about interesting things. It takes a skeptical, secular, lefty view of the world. The latest edition is well worth a listen. Its at http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/
By complete coincidence I have made a contribution this week called "Technological Fashion Victims" its about why we buy so much technological junk, especially mobile phones and it references the excellent storyofstuff.com web site. I also managed to get some remarks in about the new device thats about to save mankind, yes the Apple iPad ;-)
See http://poddelusion.co.uk/blog/2010/02/26/episode-23-26th-feburary-2010/
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Saturday, January 09, 2010
Art Application (Rejected by Axis.org!)
A couple of months back I applied to axisweb.org. Axisweb seems to be a good way to get exposure for art. Unfortunately Julian Lister the "Directory Coordinator" rejected my application without giving any useful feedback. Ho hum. If anybody out there spots any glaring errors or reasons why you think my application failed, I'd be happy to hear any constructive advice from you!
Anyhow I though it would be a useful insight to publish the application text and images for anyone interested in what I am trying to achieve with my assemblage "sculptures".
Graphic Equaliser
Supporting Statement
At what point are you in your career?
I still regard myself to be early career. I started painting and sculpting in earnest five years ago after a near-fatal car accident. I am now a professional landscape painter and sculptor.
Have you established a national or international profile?
I have developed a national UK profile. My sculptures have been to London “Liberte d'Expression” exhibition and I recently gained international recognition by making the shortlist (65 out 5,000) for the London International Creative Competition.
How do you position your practice in relation to wider developments in contemporary art?
From a formal perspective my sculptures are Assemblage art. I particularly admire the work of Louise Nevelson. There is a strong conceptual element to my sculpture, often dealing with the reality of the human body and symbiotic relationship between mind and body. My approach to art is modernist in that I question the old certainties but use contemporary materials that relate to the modern world. I recognise the influence of the auteur David Cronenberg, as we share a reality grounded in the physical processes of the body.
What is distinctive about your work?
I use non-traditional materials such as plastic tubing and circuit boards, combining them in an unfamiliar way. The materials are modern but the questions arising are age-old, e.g: mind vs. body. Does consciousness disappear when the body stops? Is there a soul?
How has your work progressed over recent years?
I started by embedding electronic components into the surfaces of a canvas. From there my work has become more intricate and planned. I now carefully select materials and develop ideas in tandem, usually around contemporary themes, e.g.: “Home Bio-Analyser” is an imagined device that takes blood samples, iris measurements and ID-card readings. Nowadays I blend technological, biological and political ideas into the work as it develops.
What do you hope to gain from joining Axis?
I would like to develop connections with galleries to display my work at exhibitions. I am also interested in selling for public display or to collectors that have an understanding of my work.
Athiest's Dream
Artist Statement
My bio-electronic sculptures are meditations on medicine, technology, mortality and my strongly held rational atheist ideas. Taking electronic components and boards from disused or deliberately destroyed electronic devices my Assemblage art approach is combined with what I describe as hand crafted pseudo-biological objects made from acrylic paint, fabric and medical tubing. It is through this combination of biology and technology that I explore ideas around my relationship with technology and the processes of living including ageing and decay, using the metaphor of the body as a machine. In a way the construction of these items is catharsis and a tool for my personal acceptance of the natural biological processes beyond my control.
Exhibitions /Competitions
* 2009 - London International Creative Competition – Shortlisted (Top 65 from 5,000 entries)
* 2008 - Derby City Open - Dec 2008
* 2007 - Ovenden Exhibition - Artshed Gallery, Ware, Herts (Aug-Sept)
* 2007 - Out of Control: Solo - Gallery-S, Matlock, Derbyshire (March)
* 2006 - Liberte d'Expression - Barclays Global Headquarters (Canary Wharf) and Candid Arts Trust, London
Citizen protector (Home Bio-Analyser)
Anyhow I though it would be a useful insight to publish the application text and images for anyone interested in what I am trying to achieve with my assemblage "sculptures".
Graphic Equaliser
Supporting Statement
At what point are you in your career?
I still regard myself to be early career. I started painting and sculpting in earnest five years ago after a near-fatal car accident. I am now a professional landscape painter and sculptor.
Have you established a national or international profile?
I have developed a national UK profile. My sculptures have been to London “Liberte d'Expression” exhibition and I recently gained international recognition by making the shortlist (65 out 5,000) for the London International Creative Competition.
How do you position your practice in relation to wider developments in contemporary art?
From a formal perspective my sculptures are Assemblage art. I particularly admire the work of Louise Nevelson. There is a strong conceptual element to my sculpture, often dealing with the reality of the human body and symbiotic relationship between mind and body. My approach to art is modernist in that I question the old certainties but use contemporary materials that relate to the modern world. I recognise the influence of the auteur David Cronenberg, as we share a reality grounded in the physical processes of the body.
What is distinctive about your work?
I use non-traditional materials such as plastic tubing and circuit boards, combining them in an unfamiliar way. The materials are modern but the questions arising are age-old, e.g: mind vs. body. Does consciousness disappear when the body stops? Is there a soul?
How has your work progressed over recent years?
I started by embedding electronic components into the surfaces of a canvas. From there my work has become more intricate and planned. I now carefully select materials and develop ideas in tandem, usually around contemporary themes, e.g.: “Home Bio-Analyser” is an imagined device that takes blood samples, iris measurements and ID-card readings. Nowadays I blend technological, biological and political ideas into the work as it develops.
What do you hope to gain from joining Axis?
I would like to develop connections with galleries to display my work at exhibitions. I am also interested in selling for public display or to collectors that have an understanding of my work.
Athiest's Dream
Artist Statement
My bio-electronic sculptures are meditations on medicine, technology, mortality and my strongly held rational atheist ideas. Taking electronic components and boards from disused or deliberately destroyed electronic devices my Assemblage art approach is combined with what I describe as hand crafted pseudo-biological objects made from acrylic paint, fabric and medical tubing. It is through this combination of biology and technology that I explore ideas around my relationship with technology and the processes of living including ageing and decay, using the metaphor of the body as a machine. In a way the construction of these items is catharsis and a tool for my personal acceptance of the natural biological processes beyond my control.
Exhibitions /Competitions
* 2009 - London International Creative Competition – Shortlisted (Top 65 from 5,000 entries)
* 2008 - Derby City Open - Dec 2008
* 2007 - Ovenden Exhibition - Artshed Gallery, Ware, Herts (Aug-Sept)
* 2007 - Out of Control: Solo - Gallery-S, Matlock, Derbyshire (March)
* 2006 - Liberte d'Expression - Barclays Global Headquarters (Canary Wharf) and Candid Arts Trust, London
Citizen protector (Home Bio-Analyser)
Friday, January 08, 2010
Crash by J.G Ballard - Book Cover
Remember the "Crash by J.G. Ballard design competition" that the Uk Times newspaper were running in 2008? Well despite assurances (http://www.ballardian.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=71) nothing ever happened.
So I thought It would be interesting to publish my entry for the book design competition.
Here's my entry
I have since re-used some of my "meter" imagary artwork for the CD cover artwork on the latest album of the for the excellent Uk based DarkWave band "Pro-jekt". The meter was used on the CD itself. See http://www.pro-jekt.org/Reign%20of%20scars.htm for some examples of the cover-art. For more info on Pro-jekt checkout http://www.pro-jekt.org
So I thought It would be interesting to publish my entry for the book design competition.
Here's my entry
I have since re-used some of my "meter" imagary artwork for the CD cover artwork on the latest album of the for the excellent Uk based DarkWave band "Pro-jekt". The meter was used on the CD itself. See http://www.pro-jekt.org/Reign%20of%20scars.htm for some examples of the cover-art. For more info on Pro-jekt checkout http://www.pro-jekt.org
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Citizen Protector (Home Bio-Analyser)
This assemblage art work imagines an object of technology from a future history. The unit itself would take daily DNA, blood, hormone readings from all occupants of every house in the UK. These readings along with iris measurements identify the occupants of a house in a "daily census". The information gathered by the device is used to profile and predict possible future "terrorist" acts. It has a slot at the base to read the users (compulsory) ID Card. The fitting of the device to each house is a legal requirement.
This is a warning, we are drifting towards a culture that treats all citizens as terrorists by default. The creeping influence of CCTV, DNA abuse and misuse of anti-terrorist legislation for democratic protest are precurors to the possible introduction of such devices - for our own "protection". Lets make sure that it doesn't happen.
Citizen Protector (Home Bio-Analyser) - Front View
Citizen Protector (Home Bio-Analyser) - Side View
This is a warning, we are drifting towards a culture that treats all citizens as terrorists by default. The creeping influence of CCTV, DNA abuse and misuse of anti-terrorist legislation for democratic protest are precurors to the possible introduction of such devices - for our own "protection". Lets make sure that it doesn't happen.
Citizen Protector (Home Bio-Analyser) - Front View
Citizen Protector (Home Bio-Analyser) - Side View
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Graphic Equaliser
Detail
In situ
Main View - Graphic Equaliser
I have remounted and renamed the sculpture which was known as Organo-photogram. Its now called Graphic Equaliser which is a reference to Vanitas/Momento Mori themes, its a theme that I return regularly.
Friday, September 04, 2009
Updated Biography
Its always weird writing/updating biographical details, I feel vaguely pretentious writing about myself :-) Still its necessary to spread the word!
Gareth Buxton discovered his creative impulses only recently. Having pursued a career in a technical industry a near fatal car crash in 2004 pushed him headlong into the world of art. As well as establishing himself as a professional landscape painter he pursued a parallel path of creating visceral art from hand crafted pseudo-biological objects and electronic components. The final found-object sculptures are artistic meditations on medicine, science, technology, mortality and his strongly held rational atheist ideas. As well as selling sculptures to collectors Gareth has achieved recognition in several national competitions with his unique view of the world. He strongly acknowledges Francis Bacon as a key influence in his work but equally attributes inspiration from artist/novelist Clive Barker and the film director David Cronenberg.
Shortlisted for the London Internation Creative Competition
Great! Made it to shortlist of London International Creative Competition. Sculptures. See http://bit.ly/Ogz8E
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Reign of Scars - Pro-jekt Artwork
Click image to view full details
I'm delighted to announce, that my sculptures have formed the basis of the new album cover art, inlay and CD of the Gothic Metal/Darkwave band Pro-jekt. The new album, the band's third, has an international release and has been produced by Ade Fenton, Gary Numan's producer. The band will be promoting and playing the new album songs in their upcoming live dates. For more details about the album click here
Friday, August 07, 2009
Shroud Haemorrhage: New Abstract Painting
Shroud Haemorrhage is my largest abstract to date. The layers in this picture have been built up over several months. Paint has been applied and then scraped off when dried. There is texture to the final painting in places. The painting is about the non-seperation of body and mind and how the idea of self is a function of the physical body. Despite this being a fundamentally athiest painting, "shroud" like areas of the canvas were revealed as I worked on them and and as I liked these aesthetically I left them in.
Note: This is painted on a slim canvas (depth about 1cm). the sides are painted black and its ready to hang, but you may prefer to get this painting framed, the choice is yours.
Full Painting 24x36 inches
Detail 1
Detail 2
Details 3
Note: This is painted on a slim canvas (depth about 1cm). the sides are painted black and its ready to hang, but you may prefer to get this painting framed, the choice is yours.
Full Painting 24x36 inches
Detail 1
Detail 2
Details 3
Friday, July 17, 2009
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