|Tom Sowden
Current Research
Grant title:
Paper Models: investigating Laser cutting technology to develop new artists’ books and paper based creative practice for arts, crafts and design
Awarding body: Arts and Humanities Research CouncilAwarded to: Tom Sowden
URL Links: www.ahrc.ac.uk
Project duration: 1.1.09-1.10.10
Project details:
Artists often adapt industrial and digital technologies to work with creatively, as evidenced by the use of digital printing, to create artists' books and prints. This project explored new methodologies for artists' creative production methods. As the technology becomes more affordable, laser cutters are a regular feature within secondary, further and higher education. The project examined the potential of the laser cutter as a tool for artists working with the book form and paper-based work, and how it can replace the need for labour intensive manipulation of paper and card by hand. The project aimed to change attitudes to creative making and increase awareness of the advantage of new technologies for artists/craftspeople.
As part of this research project Tom Sowden developed his own practice as a book artist with the use of the laser cutting process. This involved exploring the possibilities of using the laser cutters in conjunction with digital printing to produce accurate cuts and folds within the book, especially in relation to printed imagery.
Tom also worked with case study resident artists Su Blackwell (UK) and Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck (Denmark) over the summer at the Centre for Fine Print Research to produce new works utilising the laser cutters. These works have been shown at Blackwell's large-scale solo exhibition, Remnants, at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth (21 August - 28 November 2010); and at the London Art Book Fair, Whitechapel (September 2010) where Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck's book Steam, Salt, Milk, created during the residency was presented with the Birgit Skiöld Memorial Award.
Tom also hosted a one-day symposium in September, with guest speakers Su Blackwell, Jenny Smith and Claire Phipps, for 75 delegates and curated an accompanying exhibition Drawing with Fire which showcased artists' works on paper with laser cutting.
The Drawing with Fire exhibition has now been extended and is touring as a pop-up show. It will be on display next at the AKI/ArtEz Academy of Art in Enschede, The Netherlands (http://www.artez.nl/English), where Tom and Sarah will be running workshops in laser cutting and artists' books during the week of 17th January. The pop-up show will run from Tuesday 18th - Thursday 20th January 2011. Alongside the main display of large paper works in the main foyer, small book works and paper works will be displayed throughout the library and first floor. Tom will publish the case studies and project downloads in February 2011 after the workshops when exhibition returns from The Netherlands.