Professional Practice - Louise Garland

'The work of Louise Garland engages with philosophical beliefs in the continuum of life. It examines the nature of our existence, linking the personal with the metaphysical (especially from a female standpoint). Her work frequently references the collective notions of archaic symbolism and almost always incorporates found materials and objects into each piece. There is often an alliance in Garland's sculptures and sculptural montages between the familiar and the unfamiliar as deconstructed materials reinvent themselves, whilst forming a seductive quality to the surfaces. Her works are rigorously composed through the use of measurement, employing geometry and mathematical calculations often sourced from nature.'

https://www.axisweb.org/p/louisegarlandart/

Notes from Louise Garlands talk at college

Garland's approach to art is incredibly considered and her work is full of symbolism that celebrates her passions in life, such as walking in the country-side. She repurposes found objects and assembles them into geometric forms which are very calculated but still have a rustic feel. I think it's really important to re-use things that are no longer wanted, there is so much stuff in the world that we don't especially need to make new things, but re-invent the old. As well as telling a story about her own life, the work contains the unknown history of the objects it is made from, like drawers, violins, desks, etc. and they all have unique markings, evidence of wear and tear from their pasts. Her art has made me feel inspired to explore places like antique shops (which I already like doing) to find unusual things that can be used in art projects or  just given a new life.