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Michael is internationally renowned as one of the most innovative and inspiring artists working in textiles. He has invented new and imaginative ways of integrating textiles with other media.
Location: Main Circulation Areas, A&E Waiting Area
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Mr Sandman
This work was made specifically for the A&E waiting area. Inspired by the idea of waiting and the passing of time, Michael has made a series of revolving and static circular chambers which remind us of an hourglass or egg timer. Set into the wall,
the chambers contain curious, quirky, recognisable objects. As the chambers slowly revolve, the sand flows over the objects, covering and uncovering them in unexpected and random sequences. The use of sand (some collected from Aberdeen beach) also makes connections to Aberdeen’s closeness to the sea.
Intended to be fun, meditative and calming for children and adults, the work is commenting on the positive aspect of waiting, while the circles denote a passage of time – they are silent, restful and intriguing.
I had the idea to use sand as a symbolic material from the start. I was pleased that the play specialists reacted positively to this idea. I liked the thought of an hour glass or timer that measured time; my own experience of A&E departments was one of waiting, I have tried to make that time productive, not negative.
Shakin’ All Over
This work is based around the idea of collecting; each of the eight boxes contains a different collection of images, giving the sense of a strange museum. Appealing to people’s fascination in collecting objects, the idea behind the work was to engage
the public on a personal level. The collections reference the habitat of the north east of Scotland and include images of shells, fish, birds and fragments of maps.
Colour plays an important role; each collection of images is set within a vibrant and ‘noisy’ coloured background and housed within a bright pillar box red metal frame. Movement is important too; children are encouraged to ‘shoogle’ the boxes (which are attached to the wall via a spring mechanism). The images are attached to finely sprung wires which vibrate with movement, creating an optical and aural experience. The work is an alternative and personal response to the systems and classification which are omnipresent in hospitals.
This commission rekindled my interest in using collage and found materials in the construction of my works. The freedom to source unusual and curious materials resulted in unexpected juxtapositions. Good commissions should in my estimation provide a form of continuous education, new opportunities to extend practice and develop thinking, perhaps utilising new technologies.
Commissions are initially a puzzle, how best to relate to the concerns of the client and originate new ideas. Personally that’s what remains with me once the work is installed; new ideas, an extension of thinking that will inevitably flow into future artworks.
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