Drank and Drawn

Work from Drank and Drawn at Cup Cafe in Manchester. June - August 2009.

Marcel Duchamp placed found objects in critical conditions, Sol Le Wit created blue prints for works that’s could become sculptural objects or wall based drawings often at the discretion of curators and graffiti artists can turn any wall into a canvas with or without sanction. These acts create alterations in the everyday resulting in the controversial, the thoughtful and the criminal.

Combining objects and image making gives me the opportunity to both highlight and alter the perceived worth of an object and it’s intended use. Drawing on objects with an existing purpose can give an extra layer of meaning to the images depicted and potentially undermine the effort of labour.

For the most part the public display of my work has been within a site-specific, non gallery setting, dealing with the social and functional history attached to the environment chosen. When asked to create work for Cup Café I felt that the first challenge would be dealing with the commercial, display based nature already prevalent within the store.

Other elements attached to Cup Café are its location within an area rich in creative industries and as an artist hangout. Another important factor not to be forgotten is its coffee and the smoking area. There are few artists I have met who do not need regular coffee and smoke breaks to recharge an often over worked mind and such has it been with some of the most influential artists throughout modern and contemporary art history. With this in mind I began to think about how I could turn the respite into the work. Through use of the internet and the ubiquity of the materials I employ, I have been able to create a series of pieces fusing my practice and the shared experience of coffee and cigarettes.

All images copyright Richard Shields.