Developed from a body of work thinking about love and separation, connections and relationships, presence and absence, (parental) anxiety - and what is left behind.

[This piece is also closely related to a recent body of work made for our PRESENT TENSE exhibition, Radar output 9987, ‘The weight of the world’ in particular. (An echo, trace or ghost from the solo show, back in the same space)].

‘Umbilical (07777688920)’ is a live sculptural work – its activation is real & simultaneous, not recorded. The action of calling the phone is therefore a key part of the work. We were keen to involve the invigilator in this, utilising their role in response to viewers in the space. We, the artists, plus gallery staff, regularly called the number during exhibition opening hours – simultaneously connecting act with consequence, presence and absence, in and beyond the confines of the gallery space. This extended to potential involvement/interaction of the audience, if they made the connection with contacting the mobile number explicit in the title of the work. This collective activity therefore became an unseen part of the work itself - a set of interconnected ‘unannounced’ performances. This idea of ‘unannounced’ performance has correspondences to ‘&’ (a bespoke double ring for holding hands, submitted as part of Radar output 9987) and interests fundamental to our research collective, ‘Under the Radar’.

The work also alludes to the cinematic device of a ringing (unanswered) telephone and how it creates an atmosphere of anticipation, tension, suspense, isolation, loss. An auditory intrusion breaking the silence, signifying separation and connection. In the gallery, a viewer may hear the phone ringing from another space, before encountering the physical piece in the final room.

We specifically used an old Nokia brick phone, set to ‘Urgent’ (the name of the insistent ringtone). This was held in the pocket of an inside-out pair of black tracksuit bottoms. We intentionally exposed the interior of the garment to make the pocket visible (though it was still hard to see) and to reveal the interior surface of the fabric, usually hidden, that had been in direct contact with a body. (Drawing a relationship with ‘Sacred Heart’ 2025 - ongoing series, Radar output 10577)

The title ‘Umbilical (07777688920)’, obviously references the umbilical cord between mother & child, as well as the interdependence of a close relationship. This connection is materially reinforced/embodied by using the cord of the tracksuit bottoms' drawstring waistband, pulled and tied with a knot, to physically hang them from a screw.

This work was first shown in ‘Mother Curator’, a group exhibition made by GSA staff & students who are mothers. This context raised interesting themes of familial ties (especially between parent & child), communication, connection & separation, ‘apron strings’, independence, contact.