Patrick Stratton - Artist Statement
My work combines weaving with mechanics to document micro social systems. Using systematized observation, I make pieces that try to highlight small human moments from a playful, existentialist viewpoint. Inspired by writers like Samuel Beckett, I try to do my best with what I have, reducing my experience in a time of overwhelming saturation.
I do this through my recent series: “Things I do Sometimes”. I start with listing in a scientific-like approach, moving left to right in a regularly occupied space, listing every action to do with an object; scroll through phone, charge phone, lock phone, forget password. I then pick an item, and convert it into a moving tapestry, often weaving it, then using motors to animate the piece.
The result varies, sometimes they work consistently, other times they only work for a few seconds. This results in the art being stable; in the form of a mechanical tapestry, or unstable; in the form of a short video and the tapestry pieces archived.
Education
2019-2021
Ma, Fine Art, City and Guilds of London School of Art
2015-2018
Ba, Mathematics and Philosophy, University of Leeds
Awards
2021
VoC Open Call, Longlisted, London
2021
Cordis Tapestry Prize, Shortlisted, Edinburgh
2021
Ashurst Emerging Art Prize, Shortlisted, London
Exhibitions
Group
2023
Yes. Baby Summer Party, Essen, Germany
2023
Just A Bunch Of String, London
2023
Wobble Gob, London
2023
Fibres, Air Gallery, Altricham
2022
Hypha Studios and Mason and Fifth Artist’s Residency, London
2022
Morning In The Burned House, The Lot Projects, London
2022
Bad Art Presents: Touch Me Baby, The Bomb Factory Art Foundation, London
2022
StART Martin Miller's Gin Emerging Art Prize, Saartchi Gallery, London
2022
Your Safety, Our Concern, Morley Gallery, London
2021
Cordis Tapestry Prize, Edinburgh
2021
Permanent Temporary, The Bottle Factory, London
2021
Ashurst Emerging Art Prize, London
2021
Aura, Holy Art, London
2021
REA Emerging Art Fair, REA, Milan
2020
Bare Necessities ,Haus Gallery, London