X
Frenulum, HD video, 4m, 2020
'Frenulum' dramatises a controversial real-life operation, following eight children as they perform imaginary tongue surgery on a member of their group, in order to help them speak phonetic sounds from the English language better. The operation (called a lingual frenectomy) is common across the globe. However, in certain countries such as South Korea, where demand for English is extremely strong, it is also used for the distinctive reason for helping children reach specific English sounds better. Widely disputed by health professionals and local authorities as a suitable procedure for such a goal, it is representative of the physical manifestation of a whole set of global socio-economic-cultural pressures to perfect the English language for future career and life opportunities. It also signifies a wider contemporary phenomenon at play of disregarding medical advice in favour of socio-political views, pressures, and narratives. 'Frenulum' dramatises this encounter, evacuating any adults from the situation, leaving open the question as to why the children are self-performing such a procedure, and in the process politicises notions of children’s games and play.
education MA Research Architecture, Goldsmiths University, London, 2015-17 BA Fine Art, Wimbledon College of Art, London, 2010-13 solo exhibitions tongue, PS2, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, 2020 selected group exhibitions New Creatives, BBC 4 / BBC iPlayer, UK, 2021 (upcoming) Ventunesimo, Artissma, Turin, Italy, 2021 (upcoming) No-body’s room, The Room Projects in collaboration with LUX [London], Paris, France, 2021 37th Kassel Documentary Film and Video Festival, Kassel, Germany, 2020 Ventunesimo, Bi-Biox Galerie, Biella, Italy, 2020 Current Transmission, ICA, London, UK, 2020 A Voice Off Screen, RTM.FM, Art Licks Weekend, London, 2019 GLOSSOLALIA, UKYA, Broadway Cinema, Nottingham, UK, 2019 This is not a holiday, Hardwick Gallery, Cheltenham, UK, 2018 A Fluid Haze, Galerie Porta, Ferrara, Italy, 2018 Requiem For a Failed State, AUF AEG, Nuremberg, Germany, 2018 Requiem For a Failed State, HALLE14, Centre for Contemporary Art, Leipzig, Germany, 2018 ACTS RE-ACTS 5, Wimbledon Space, London, UK, 2018 Who Cares?, Deptford Cinema, London, UK, 2017 Soft Architecture, Goldsmiths University, London, UK, 2017 A Bath of Self-Esteem, Galerie Del Carbona and Galerie Porta, Ferrara, Italy, 2017 Belligerent Eyes, Fondazione Prada, Venice, Italy, 2016 A Public Hearing, Arts Catalyst Gallery, London, UK, 2016 Not too, Art Licks Weekend, London, UK, 2015 IN THE CITY: International artists exploring the city on a global scale, Hanover Project, Lancashire, UK, 2014 Sensory limitations/explorations, Construction Gallery, London, UK, 2012 residencies Artist-in-residence, Gasworks, London, UK, 2021 (current) Ventunesimo, Occhieppo Inferiore, Italy, 2019 Phototendering, PS2, Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK, 2019 Ferrara Residency, Resina, Ferrara, Italy, 2018 International Artist-in-residence, HALLE14, Centre for Contemporary Art, Leipzig, Germany, 2018 Retreat, Paradise Lost, (multiple locations), 2017, 2014, 2013 Belligerent Eyes, Fondazione Prada, Venice, Italy, 2016 A Public Hearing, Arts Catalyst, London, UK, 2016 selected publications Ventunesimo, Salt Project Collective Magazine, 2019 A Fluid Haze, Filo Magazine, 2018 Who Cares?, Ferrara Residency, 2018 Retreat, Paradise Lost, 2017, 2014, 2013 Tonguing, Roleplay, Animate, Fidelity, Goldsmiths University, 2016 IN THE CITY: International artists exploring the city on a global scale, Hanover Project, Lancashire, UK, 2014 awards Kasselerdokfest junges dokfest: A38-Production-Grant Kassel-Halle, Kassel, Germany, 2020 (nomination) Freelands Foundation Emergency Fund, Artist-Network, London, UK, 2020 ICA: New Creatives, Comissioned by BBC, ICA and Kingston University, London, UK, 2019 Jerwood Visual Artist Bursary, Jerwood Arts, London, UK 2018 International Artist Fellowship Award, HALLE14, Centre for Contemporary Art, Leipzig, Germany, 2018 Impact Doc Award, Impact Docs, International, 2017 MA Scholarship, Goldsmiths University, London, UK, 2015 Artist Retreat Award, University Arts London, 2013 talks ‘The Intuitive Cut’, ICA, London, 2020 Visiting Artist, Centre for Research Architecture, Goldsmiths University, London, 2020 Visiting Artist, MA Experimental Moving Image, Kingston University, London, 2019 Rhythming (b), HALLE 14, Centre for Contemporary Art, Leipzig, Germany, 2018 Soundings and Vanishings, The Showroom, (Centre for Research Architecture roundtable), London, 2017