Paused
Media: Sea-worn local sandstone rocks (Upper Greensand), pillar drill and various drill bits.
2020
I had collected these seven strangely uniform sea-worn sandstone rocks a couple of years back from nearby Compton beach. They looked like typographic dashes and to further that, I had in mind drilling an ellipsis (three full stops) into the surface to indicate the pause I had created by extracting them from their natural geological habitat and interrupting the process of wearing further away.
When the pandemic came, I thought about them again and they took on more gravity as a work to undertake at a time when the whole world was put on hold. Each small circular incision made feels both like a collaboration with the stone and a penance. The use of a pillar drill and a variety of both suitable and unsuitable drill bits, a slow procedure and a balance of powered device-controlled assistance and hand-eye instinctive judgement.
Given the nature of the circumstances under which they were created, I intend to deliver the stones back to the sea, to 'unpause' them, when the worst of the virus has passed (aiming for spring 2022). Until then they are currently displayed in a purpose built shrine inside the cottage at Ever Garden for the first open season for 2021.
Charity auction of one of the stones:
One of the stones will now be found a home for the highest bidder as a charity fundraiser. Rather than pick one out myself for auction, I thought I would let the highest bidder choose the one that speaks to them the most.
The stones will also be featured in the forthcoming 'First Ever Catalogue', a signed copy will also be included with the stone.
How to bid:
The stones are on display in the shrine at Ever Garden for viewing. Closed bids will be taken until 5pm Thursday 30 September 2021 (last day of the open season!) by filling out a form when visiting, or by email, Facebook Messenger, Instagram Direct Messaging or by post - with name, address, email, phone number and amount bid.
