Anticipation

The idea of "Acceptable Flesh" has been fermenting in my mind for quite a time.

I announce it here as if it were some bold new venture, on which I have just alighted. In truth it is, of course, a simultaneous thread that has edged and woven through all my work to date – social constraints for both mind and body are inextricably linked.

In 2007, I made an artwork called “Bound”, which was inspired by a piece of writing by my husband, Kim. In many ways it encapsulates the direction of “Acceptable Flesh”

Click here to see the original story

Plans for this body of work seem to grow daily, and with excited anticipation, I envisage a large quantity of textured pieces on canvas, and free hanging installations. Sculpture dominates largely too, with forms based on the body and corsets.

I have some interesting ideas for black and white photography, which at the moment leave me amazed and hugely daunted at their concept.

Over the ensuing months I will be collecting audio interviews that will be edited into a sound installation.

My vision is that "Acceptable Flesh" will become a kind of immersive experience, rather than a superficial tour of a gallery space.

Comments

debra said…
Hello, Maggie. I'm pleased to see you here, and I look forward to what you have to say. Your art is luminous.
(o)
Linda McKeen said…
Hi Maggie, I'm really looking forward to reading your blog, I know it's going to be really interesting and inspiring. :)
Caroline Moore said…
good luck with the new blog Maggie - nice to be able to see your work in progress
Yvette said…
welcome in blogworld..I'll look forward reading your blog.

yvette
Maggie Ayres said…
Thank you Debra, Linda, Carrie and Yvette, for your welcome and kind words.

It's all still a bit new to me, but I hope you'll enjoy what you find as the blog develops :)
Eryl said…
Your idea sounds fascinating and rather brilliant. I love the stage in a project when you have tons of ideas all vying for attention and while playing with them to see how they fit unexpected and exciting things happen. And it sounds like that's happening now for you. Good luck with it, and, most importantly, have fun with it.
Anonymous said…
It's a pleasure to meet you Maggie. I'm sure it feels a bit intimidating this instant bloggy type of intimacy but it is intimacy at a safe distance :)
Your work is stunning and I love your ideas. The piece "Bound" I found very moving since I work with many trauma survivors and it described their experiences so well, beyond the actual flesh. We also share the experience of having a daughter with enhanced chromosomes! Please come by and visit too.
I'm not an artist, just a homey person but I have some great pics of my daughter taken with much love! Look forward to discovering more.
Unknown said…
"Acceptable Flesh"...beautiful concept. I am looking forward to following the progress of your work. Thank you for sharing. :)
Unknown said…
Hi Maggie, I'm following you for a while now through your newsletters and video's and I am pleased you have started a blog now. I will keep on following this. Thank you for sharing.
I was very moved by the story of the bandaged woman.
Maggie Ayres said…
Eryl - thank you - the difficulty is sometimes trying to keep up with the flow of ideas as they pour out at an alarming rate. I know I've missed a few before now :)

Starrlife - thanks and welcome. At the end of this week I have a big open studio event going on, so all my time is being poured into that at the moment. But I'm hoping that come June, I'll have some time to start visiting other blogs, and I look forward to finding out more about you and your daughter :)

Luna - thank you, and welcome to my blog :)

Ali - It's always good to hear from people who have signed up to the newsletter. I hope you find the blog an interesting development :)
carlie_star said…
hi Maggie

have enjoyed watching your videos and listening to you talk about your work. I really appreciate how fluently you explain what your work is about as this is something I am still working on with regard to my art practice. The issue of body image and self acceptance is also something I explore in my work particularly my ceramic pieces. To love and accept yourself as you are is so important yet so difficult at times. Lately I have put on a stone quite fast due to my thyroid playing up and I have really struggled to be kind to myself. The story the bandaged woman had me in tears and vowing to be kinder to myself and looking at your gorgeous work uplifted me too.

Thank you.

Please come visit me at http://carliestar.blogspot.com/ if you get a chance and if you have any tips this is all new to me! so far I have only put up some of my photgraphy work but will post some ceramics and work in progress in the next couple of days.
MsAmpuTeeHee said…
Hi, Maggie ~ I am looking forward to following your creative process as you work on this project. At present I am doing some similar exploration, but my medium is dance.
Thanks in advance for sharing :-)
Maggie Ayres said…
Carlie_Star - thank you for your kind words. With the big open studio event this weekend, time seems to be whisked away from me at the moment, but once things calm down I really look forward to seeing your blog.

Your work sounds really interesting and I've just begun an evening class in Ceramics :)

MsAmpuTeeHee - your experience with the world as an amputee is something that ties in very strongly with "Acceptable Flesh" but is outwith my own realms of experience. I would very much value your input as this develops :)

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