Body in art can be a medium as well as a subject or even a tool. Artist Sian Kelly explores these different uses of the human body through their multi-disciplinary approach to art. Sian considers their art practice as gentle and introspective. It is centered around drawing, ceramics, sculpture, installation and art performance. Focusing on themes of gender, the body and self reflection, Sian investigates the interplay between them.
Originally based on Gadigal Land of the Eora Nation (Sydney), in so-called Australia, Sian grew up in a creative environment and always knew they wanted to become an artist. They graduated with Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from UNSW Art and Design with a major in drawing and ceramics.
Metamorphosis I
Over the last few years Sian focused their work on space performance and installation. They recently held a solo exhibition at the House of Annetta in London. It was here that Sian held their first immersive installation work and 14 day long performance. Metamorphosis I is the first in a series of immersive works that explores the importance of safe spaces for gender-queer existence.
“Metamorphosis I is a celebration of the long process, the work put in, of gender exploration and transformation as a radical and eternal labour of self love.”
It draws inspiration from the concept of sanctuary construction and the transformative processes observed in insects. During this multi-day performance, Sian wove a web like an insect. They used silk threads and glass beads to create a cocoon-like safe space.
images by PILOTENKUECHE or supplied by artist
Metamorphosis I as well as Sian’s ceramics works involve the idea of a vessel: things that have nothing inside or their intention is to hold and carry something. They consider the body as a vessel which safely holds your self/spirit within, a kind of shell that moves, one that is soft and hard at the same time.
Mind becoming space
PILOTENKUECHE residency is the beginning of a new series of works that will deal with this concept of the body as a vessel. Sian hopes that this will be the start of a great journey into the mind: from the state of unconsciousness to the subconscious exploring different mental landscapes. The first work will deal with the unconscious mind, the state of spacing out and floating above. What would change if the mind become a space and host for the body? How would the body respond to that phase ?
Sian would evoke that feeling through a physical immersive installation where the mind-body relationship will be inverted. The body would be reintroduced to the mind as a guest through improvisational performances that explore that changing relationship in a very intuitive way.
Material and theoretical researches
The installation and the body would be presented as if they could be carried away by a breeze. Layers would be built with light, sheer and translucent materials to obscure the vision of the performance without making it completely invisible. The integration of intangible elements such as light or sound will also contribute to create a gentle atmosphere.
Sian’s practice is equally lead by material experimentation and theoretical research. Reading psychological studies is as much part of the creative process as material research is. Here, introspection almost appears as a creative tool in their autobiographical work.
Written by Margot Lallier
Keep up with the latest from Sian on their instagram
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