The subversive potential of the decorative/ornamental

Abstract

Selected to participate in the group exhibition, Craft Emergency, Aspex Gallery, Portsmouth by Joanne Bushnell (Director) Alma Daskalaki, Exhibition Projects Curator, Crafts Council, Dr Outi Remes, Director, New Ashgate Gallery, Fisher presented ‘Homemade Devices’ an ongoing series of sculptural artifacts that are inspired by images of improvised explosive devices found whilst trawling the Internet. The works explore the formal inventiveness and provisionality of such objects, as well as their potent potential as representations of objects of threat and danger. Fisher investigates the subversive potential of the decorative through employing pattern and craft processes such as embroidery/stitch/ in the production of these sculptural objects. Ideas of filmic or cartoon violence are juxtaposed with decorative motifs/patterns and craft techniques from textiles; the sense of saturation at play in the work makes it easy to miss the horror due to the seductive nature and materiality of the artwork. Artists selected to participate in the exhibition were Chia Liang Lisa Kao, Angela Fung, Craig Fisher, Elizabeth Ashdown, Katy Jennings, Malene Hartmann Rasmussen, Olivia Walker, Paula Ortega, Sally Spinks, Kandy Diamond, Keith Varney, Luke Bishop and Lisa Pettibone. Fisher has continued to investigate the potential subversive nature of textiles/craft. He was also invited to participate in a museum exhibition, Subversive Design curated by Stella Beddoe at Brighton Museum & Art Gallery were he exhibited ‘Pile’ a collection of oversized textile weapons. Beddoe proposed that the exhibition would subvert preconceptions and challenge our relationship with objects you use on a daily basis. Subversive Design explores how artists, designers, makers and manufacturers react to the world around them, playing with form, function and materials to create objects that provoke and amuse. For over 200 years craft and design have been used to engage and challenge political and social issues in both obvious and more hidden ways. The exhibition included work by a wide range of designers and makers, including Alexander McQueen, David Shrigley, Studio Job, Philippe Starck, Grayson Perry, Richard Slee, Campana Brothers, Vivienne Westwood and Leigh Bowery. This work has been shown subsequently in the following exhibitions; ‘Up To No Good’ (solo) Lace Market Gallery Nottingham, 2014 and ‘Stand In’ (2 person exhibition with Debra Swann), Small Collections Room, Nottingham Contemporary, 2015. 'Gettin’ the Heart Ready' is a group exhibition celebrating The Royal Standard’s coming of age. The 23 artist-strong retrospective showcased artists that have been collaboratively nominated by directors past and present, in recognition of their previous work for The Royal Standard and their careers as practitioners.