Lingua senza parole, 2013

120cm x 56cm x 10m (approx)
high grade lining paper, shellac ink, monofilament, wood, nails

Lingua Senza Parole draws attention to the relationships between meanings and mark making, interpretation and understanding. The scroll of paper flows from the wall, reminiscent of a large printer from a machine (e.g. an ECG or measuring seismic activity) or a loom weaving fabric.

The marks in this artwork are created in a specific way. The surface of paper is textured by drips of ink. They fall freely and the process is repeated; allowing for marks to define themselves. This encourages a range of marks within the limits of how artist repeats the action. The marks are abstract, not referencing directly known symbols, but leave space for the viewer to take the marks as they are, or allow the mind to interpret and analyse what is there.

Mark making is arguably a human’s dominant way to interpret, record and understand our environment. An ancient activity since the first cave paintings some 40,000 years ago. Mark making is now sophisticated – we write words, music scores, visual art, choreography. Mark making is a tool to understand and interpret the materials we find around us and record abstract ideas.