Someone once introduced me as a 'conceptual archivist'. Previous to this I hadn't thought of what I do in terms of the creation of archives of works. However the more I thought about this the more apt it became.
My initial artistic development was through photography - a medium that has had not only a turbulent time becoming accepted as an art form but also one which has a long running tradition of topography. An oeuvre involving the creation of bodies of work which document and categorise aspects of life and the world we inhabit. The grouping of objects and scenes, animate and inanimate, leads the viewer into a mind-set of comparison between the different elements in a work. This opens up a dialogue surrounding uniqueness and commonality, rather than cementing a sense of likeness this
more...Someone once introduced me as a 'conceptual archivist'. Previous to this I hadn't thought of what I do in terms of the creation of archives of works. However the more I thought about this the more apt it became.
My initial artistic development was through photography - a medium that has had not only a turbulent time becoming accepted as an art form but also one which has a long running tradition of topography. An oeuvre involving the creation of bodies of work which document and categorise aspects of life and the world we inhabit. The grouping of objects and scenes, animate and inanimate, leads the viewer into a mind-set of comparison between the different elements in a work. This opens up a dialogue surrounding uniqueness and commonality, rather than cementing a sense of likeness this process highlights the difference between seemingly similar subjects and their connotations regarding contemporary existence. From August Sander to the Bechers through to Ruff. This is a long running and accepted methodology within 'art' photography.
As a result of this introduction to examining the world, the early photographic work I made referenced and continued this genre.
Following my photographic visual education my practice gradually diversified and moved away from photographic imagery. The opening up of my practice is as a result of my role as a fractional lecture in Art and Design. With this role I am charged with exposing students to the wide gamut of creative practice and over time this has had a visible impact on
my artistic work and my practice began to incorporate different media. Each idea has its natural approach, materials, media and methodologies to which its execution is best suited.
Presently I'm interested in objects we encounter in daily life which for me connote wider statements of contemporary existence. Be it the lucky pennies I collect, second hand self-help books, free pens given away by banks at the height of the recession or blue lights used to prevent intravenous drug use in public spaces.
These and many others appeal to me and comment on a sense of anxiousness; to live up to or be happy and media perfect. These objects also highlight the cracks in this simulation we all inhabit. The catalogue of my work thus far is about the futility of this desire and hopefully holds resonance with others through collective pathos or frustration.
Control is manifested not just in the creation of these archives but also within specific pieces of mine. While I am still interested in control, I am increasingly producing work involving an element of unpredictability, such as my buried cameras, found annotation in second hand self help books, lucky pennies and my walk across Ireland without passing a pub. These works mark a change in my practice’s underlining concern; away from control and to the futility of control and the embracement of chance.
David Blackmore July 2012
PGCE in Further education, University of Reading, Reading.
Ba (Hons) in Photographic Arts, University of Westminster.
Ba (Ord) in Photography Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art and Design, Dublin, Éire.
2012 UCA School of FE Research Fund - to produce artists book
2009 Visual arts award, Irish consulate in Bratislava.
2008 Bratislavan month of photography, portfolio award winner.
2006 Travel and mobility award, The Arts council of Ireland .
2006 Visual Arts award, Culture Ireland .
2006 Magenta Foundation’s Emerging Photographers Award.
2005 Awarded a Fuji Distinction Merit.
