What’s On Your Mind? An Alternative Art Exhibition.
From Monday 25 to Fri 29 April we are delighted to be hosting brand new temporary art exhibition at the University Studies and Professional Development Centre. Created and curated by one of our own students, the display will showcase a plethora of painting and sculpture by Eleanor/Claude May (BA (Hons) Art Practise, final year).
Eleanor/Claude’s work is all about creativity and wellbeing and everything that we are as humans. Their portfolio is an exploration of human nature and why we do what we do and what are the consequences. It is an exercise in trying to understand the fundamental state of human consciousness.
With a true openness and ability to express their own personal struggles with identity and mental health, Eleanor/Claude has created a detailed introspection of the personal and private aspects of the mind. As a person with autism, social constructs aren’t considered in their work and it is this unique sense of vulnerability and candor that gives the pieces a refreshing aura. As a viewer, watching from within a world of social constraints and taboo subjects, this is a true expression of unapologetic and neutral honesty. Through expressing such topic via Art, Eleanor/Claude is breaking down barriers for other to see their own thoughts and insecurities displayed in abstract form.
Tell me about the exhibition, what is the inspiration behind it?
Running an art gallery, there is something about putting art on walls and people coming around and looking at it that I just don’t like. I wanted to not do a normal exhibition, I find them intimidating and I wanted my art to be amongst people”. That wouldn’t express myself. I have been told that they would look amazing on a wall but that’s not really me. They are not for peoples’ walls; they are about my voice and me communicating my voice. Actually, putting them on the floor under the tables is more about how I feel. As a person I feel like I am walked on, not seen, always interpreted in the wrong way so if I put them under the tables I feel that it is more expressive. How do people react with that? Will they stand on it? Will they not? Will they do it on purpose? I am going to sit there sometimes and just observe people. Will they put their feet on it? How will they react? Again, this is human nature. What will they do with my sculptures? Will they want to touch them? They are meant to be touchy-feely. It s all about observation and how will people respond. It is an art exhibition about human nature, why do we do what we do?
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
I have to go for walks in nature. I don’t do people, but with nature I find it really inspirational. I don’t make my art about nature, it just gives me the free headspace like meditations. It completely gets me out of the anxiety zone. And then I get inspirational, and I come home and do loads of sketches.
What does your artistic process look like?
It starts by going for walks and being completely at one with nature. And then generally, I don’t really think about it, it just comes in visions, images, and thoughts. Visions come into my head, I don’t really think, they just come. And I come home and do a really quick sketch carving or painting. And then somehow, I don’t think and then I have finished. There’s no thinking, it just happens. It is like a trance. I have always been interested in art therapy and outsider art and this need to create.
What is the aim with your work? How do you hope to impact the viewer?
To start with, I use art mainly for myself, it helps me with my own mental health. But I am learning that I can help others with my openness as I don’t hold back. We are all humans, and I don’t get all of this ‘what you are meant to say’ and ‘what you aren’t meant to say’ because we are all human. So I want to impact people to ask more questions because a lot of people are struggling and they don’t know why. I don’t believe that the life we lead is right for humans. I am fascinated about life and how we got here and why we do what we do. I think if people questioned that more and how we are influenced by society, money, and materialism. I would like people to stop and ask, ‘what is the right way of living?’. Personally, I would like to live in a cave with a fire and not have all of this extra stuff that I am meant to be doing.