For this task, I decided to pursue something I would never typically choose to do voluntarily – performance and performativity. I took the opportunity to try something far from the remit of my practice and be more open-minded with the results of what this may yield.

I became increasingly interested in the presence and role of the artist in the creation of work and undertook a series of explorations using the body as a canvas – as opposed to just my hands as tools for making. Having previously considered the ‘artist’s hand’ in my work and how much of yourself you expose in creating work, I began to embrace these notions of identity I typically use my work to evade.

On separate occasions, I covered myself in masking tape, painted myself orange and wrapped myself in newsprint. Using familiar materials, I was able to approach ‘performance art’ without being put off or running in the opposite direction.

For this task, I also participated in a collaborative project with three others in which we connected ourselves to one another with yarn, tying our hands and heads together.

Working performatively and collaboratively