Limerick, Ireland
Aoife Collins, Death by Stereotypy, 2004, orange artificial flowers taken part thread by thread, plastic bag, 23 x 16 x 15 cm

Aoife Collins

b. 1980, Ireland

There is a questioning of the notion of representation, hence issues of transference, rendering and picturing are also engaged. Within my work there is some form of interrogation of notions of the ‘real’ and ‘imaginary’, and engagement with clichés surrounding notions of inside/outside. The imagery is not necessarily sincerely represented. There is a strong element of fakery – thus engaging with the elasticity of representation.

The notion of multiplicity is salient within my work. A substantial proportion of the pieces revolve around using already existing materials, substances and structures, and transferring them into some new form of narration. Close attention is played to the ability of objects to role play. This mutability is an attempt to open-up the realm of possibility. Form and function are not considered final, but rather can be altered and are open to suggestion. A means of permutation causes a displacement or destabilising effect. It is this instigation of instability that is paramount as it means a form of dislocation occurs.

An exploration of the state of becoming permeates the work. There is no sense of stasis, but rather movement. The reusing of already existing elements means they may lose their original sense and other, alternative ensembles can be created, resulting in new scope and effect. This deviation from logic is intended as some form of overlap or slippage of imagery, and hence the role of replacement and substitution are explored.

(Text: OPEN e v + a catalogue, 2005)

Back to Artists