Esme Stewart (she/her)
I am a Glasgow based artist working with untraditional painting techniques, specifically copper patination. A developing interest with visiting and revisiting the site of a burned out car in Glasgow has formed the starting point of my practice. Repeating the journey to the park a number of times throughout the pandemic has become a form of ritual, recording the further deterioration that has taken place since my last visit – both inflicted by anonymous people as well as the effects of nature. This documentation has become the basis of a wider investigation into surfaces and their transformations over time. There is an interest in my practice in removing the artist’s hand from the work, and leaving outcomes up to chance, passively waiting for the compositions to be revealed. Through curation, I regain control as the maker. Using domestic substances in my practice has been a direct response to the restrictions caused by the pandemic, and as a result the majority of my work has been made within the domestic space of my home.
Copper Patina Paintings
49 copper patina paintings, made every day for 49 days.
For this body of work there was a large focus on ritualistic behaviours, making an act significant through its repetition. Each plate is different from the rest and there is an element of the work that is left up to chance, surrendering to the process.
(If available priced at £120. Some works may be available at a later date. Multiples priced on request. Any purchased artwork not available until late July. Commissions available on request).
Cowlairs Park Install
Install at the site at Cowlairs Park
Zines will be available to buy at the Alternative Degree Show in July, or online.
Stow Install
White cube exhibition setup
As the work is predominantly site specific, I brought the site to the space through the photographs of the work in situ. I wanted the experience to be interactive, which is shown through the display of zines which would be available for viewers to take away with them.
