Current research is focused on further developing dialogues between emerging virtual digital technologies and the more concrete perimeters of painting and sculpture. In practice, these disciplines tend to inform reciprocally. Consequently, the relation of their outcomes as artworks has become increasingly interdependent in recent projects. This approach has developed from an earlier use of digital image editing software as a compositional tool for paintings and drawings. Frequent activity in this sphere has led to an immersion in a variety of hardware and software, with their attendant technical facilities motivating an ambition to explore new territories, whilst retaining a dialogue within more traditional methods and approaches. Most significantly this has led to research and outputs incorporating sound, video and 3D printing as extended forms of painting and sculpture. A recurring context for this research are the ontological, political and social effects of such emergent technologies in both conceptual and aesthetic terms. Most recently an emerging field for this methodology is the research of Queer identities and sexualities, both theoretically and through a practical investigation of radical ontologies, involving body prosthetics, sound design and CGI.
This research and production currently involves the study and use of digital and AI assisted voice generation and manipulation by non-binary artists, as well as the use of emerging digital fabrication technologies in the production fetish clothing design and body modification. This examination and exploration of self-engineering is set within the broader context of Radical Queer Theory and seeks to contribute to developing anti-essentialist critiques that are not divorced from the material body whilst interrelating with the study of interfaces between the concrete and virtual of my other research strand. This greater diversity of research, through a targeted integration of different fields has led to the development of alternative critiques of commodity and sexual fetishism relating to my practice overall. This more dynamic field of theory and practice is encouraging and stimulating creative dialogues with diverse range of other practitioners. To date this has resulted in opportunities for collaboration, performance, talks and exhibitions, at significant national and international venues. Most notably I am currently developing a collaborative research project called Alias Domaines with artist Sukaina Kubba which is concerned with non-roots based identity theories through the studying means of packaging, transport and trade of cultural artefacts, as well as the role played by capital and trade in ultra-national territories such as shops, planes, oceans, islands and space. The established narrative and the proposed research will form the framework for both physical and virtual outcomes, to develop original methods of practical and theoretical application within fine art disciplines.
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