Clare Davidson and Julia Mariscal

MARKING/ERASING

16th February - 14th March 2008

Claire Davidson and Julia Mariscal
Curated by Louise Forrester

Marking/Erasing explores the relationship between drawing and photography, with one photographer focusing on mark-making, the other on erasing. Claire Davidson photographs herself drawing using a long exposure, so that the mark-making process and movements involved in drawing become visible and permanent; Julia Mariscal erases drawings and photographs the remnants, enlarging these to far beyond actual size.

The drawing process and act of photographing play very different roles for each artist in their practice: Claire Davidson uses the drawing process as an image-making tool in creating a photograph with formal considerations, whereas Julia Mariscal considers her photographs as documentation of a drawing method (of erasing to produce an image).

Both artists document the movements and physicality involved in drawing, with the photographs recording the process. The physicality of the drawing process is given very different weights in the two series, however – in Claire Davidson's photographs, the movement involved in drawing becomes a key compositional element; in Julia Mariscal's, the stillness of the images conceal the physicality involved in producing the images.

Both works use chance and spontaneity as a key element of the process, with each photographer responding to the drawing as it develops – Julia Mariscal within a space of 30 seconds or so, and Claire Davidson by reshooting until interesting forms emerge and evolve.

The traditional role of photographer being in a position of control is also explored in each, with Claire Davidson as the subject of the photograph, using a remote shutter release, and Julia Mariscal actively drawing, erasing and directing the photographic record.

Visitors will be able to participate in a marking/erasing artwork by drawing on, or rubbing out, a large sheet of drawing paper hanging in the gallery - the development and results of this will be documented in the exhibition catalogue.

To contact the curator: mail@louiseforrester.com