East International 2006

Opening Date: 2006-Jul-08
Closing Date: 2006-Aug-19
East International is an annual exhibition held in Norwich. The selectors for 2006 were Jeremy Deller and Dirk Snauwaert. They chose 25 artists to exhibit work at the Norwich Gallery and Norwich School of Art and Design. The exhibition was curated by Lynda Morris.

The four paintings which I exhibited were based around ideas of camouflage, deception and disinformation. Each of the large-scale, pastoral landscapes included military hardware, camouflaged and partially concealed. In these works nature and machine become one, imitating each other.

The paintings were the outcome of my continuing research, exploring how conflicts and technological developments have not only created purpose built machines but have also left a direct inscription on the land. This led me to question how much the physical terrain of a battlefield influences how the battle is fought. In consequence I now prefer to experience the terrain firsthand, to help my understanding of the psychological impact of a particular place. This has given rise to an emotive quality in the work, as the viewer is no longer confronted by faceless machinery. Instead the works portray the impact of war's destructive power, left as inscriptions upon our ever changing landscape. My research continues as I am now travelling to particular battle sites, collecting military documentation, maps and photographs.

As a result of East International a catalogue was produced, ISBN 1-872482-80-5, (introduction written by Lynda Morris), reviews written and a painting was acquired by the Norwich Castle Museum.