Age Piece

2023

 

I staged my mid-career retrospective on 11 May at Spill Think Tank. The installation was inspired by Jonathan Borofsk’s Age Piece from 1972, which he made to document and reflect on his changing oeuvre, Borofsky was 30 years old when he made it. I’m 45. So better late than never. His work was exhibited at The Whitney Museum in NY. So, anyway.

I sent a fan e-mail to Borofsky to let him know I was making my own version of his ‘Age Piece’. In my message I asked him if he could recall how he felt when he made it, if he thought that his best work was behind him or in front of him. And he actually responded to me: “I’ve rarely had pessimistic or optimistic views as to how my work might proceed into the future. It has always seemed to me that I’m just caught in the flow of a river – sometimes a bumpy ride – and sometimes smooth sailing.”

Age Piece installed at Spill Think Tank, 11 May 2023
Age Piece installed at Spill Think Tank, 11 May 2023
Age 6: Psyche and Cupid (poster paint on sugar paper) Age 15: Trapped, Torn and Empty (Etchings)
Age 6: Psyche and Cupid (poster paint on sugar paper)
Age 15: Trapped, Torn and Empty (etching)
Age 17: Still Life (Oil on canvas) Age19: Sex Toys (Soft sculptures) Age 20: Male Nude (Oil on canvas)
Age 17: Still Life (Oil on canvas)
Age19: Sex Toys (Soft sculptures)
Age 20: Male Nude (Oil on canvas)
Age 21: Family Portrait at Vinnie's (Oil on canvas) Age 23: Living with Liberation (mixed media installation segment) Age 25-28: TV showing 'Our Bodies, Ourselves, 2003 / Consciousness, Understanding 'N' Trust, 2004 / 3 Into 1, 2004 / All My Life, 2007 Age 31: Rope piece reenactment in 'Ties That Bind' (performance documentation)
Age 21: Family Portrait at Vinnie’s (Oil on canvas)
Age 23: Living with Liberation (mixed media installation segment)
Age 25-28: TV showing ‘Our Bodies, Ourselves, 2003 / Consciousness, Understanding ‘N’ Trust, 2004 / 3 Into 1, 2004 / All My Life, 2007
Age 31: Rope piece reenactment in ‘Ties That Bind’ (performance documentation)

Age25-28-pinkTV-OFox-web

Photograph and signed contract, 6ft rope from Rope piece reenactment from 'The Ties that Bind'
Photograph and signed contract, 6ft rope from Rope piece reenactment from ‘The Ties that Bind’
Age 32 - 39: LCD TV showing 'The O Show' showreel Age 40: PhD Thesis
Age 32 – 39: LCD TV showing ‘The O Show’ showreel
Age 40: PhD Thesis
Age 45: Model of Age Piece Installation Collaged images on foam board, 84 cm x 22 cm
Age 45: Model of Age Piece Installation
Collaged images on foam board, 84 cm x 22 cm
Age 50 Ink on foam board
Age 50
Ink on foam board