Collectibles (Series 1: Homegrown)

This second artwork is part of a series called Homegrown, which places decorated rocks alongside cherished toys from my childhood.

Collectibles (2020) is a site-specific installation, where decorated rocks are placed in a printers tray which is hung in what was my bedroom in my childhood home. This installation was created by positioning the vibrant rocks according to their tonal value to create a harmonious atmosphere through a controlled gradient.

Within this installation the printers tray becomes representative of my early childhood, where I collected and arranged found objects which I thought to be valuable in their uniqueness, as an escape mechanism. The painted rocks are placed neatly, fitting perfectly in their designated slot as if it were the rocks original home, creating a sense of belonging. This considered work reflects the emotional state I found myself in at this age, an idyllic period of my life that I reflect upon often as a young adult.

In this way, the decorated rocks are representative of me within my current time and place. The therapeutic process of creating these unique entities becomes a modern ritual, providing me with the opportunity to indulge in the magical escapist methods I practiced in my youth.

To once again view the world from a child’s eyes.