Gentle Exorcisms (2020)

Water, Ink and Breath on Paper: 20 pieces (30 x 40cm), each produced in succession during one continuous session.

Exploring an approach to meeting and embodying the emotional identity of life events or experiences. The concept arose from reflection on religious exorcism in contemporary society: the demonisation and repression of aspects of personal struggle may leave a fragmented psyche with parts of itself shut off. An enquiry into the possibilities of co-existence between these inner demons and the conscious internal narrative.

Ritual:

• A sheet of paper is the conscious mind of the human life state. A ring of water drawn onto the paper is the subconscious mind and the unseen or unknown self. Ink loaded into the ring of water represents the presence of an event or experience locked in the subconscious and internalised as an inner demon. Breath provides the element of ether: the superconscious.

• An inner demon is summoned by recalling its memory in the mind, then locating where this memory registers as a physical sensation in the body. A deep inhalation locates the emotion attached to the sensation of the memory. Repeated sharp exhalations are then applied to the loaded water and the breath brings forth the feeling.

• The feeling registers a unique shape and character as the ink and water respond to it. The resulting image represents the inner demon as a breath-shaped being brought into conscious and objective reality. Within the collective gallery, each piece is named for its unique identity as a creature or archetype.