Let it simmer over summer: an artist's journey, pause and composition

This research examines the notions of journey, pause and composition through art practice. It is led by two questions: how do journeys affect art practice? and how can works of art tell the stories of journeys? The aim of this research is to explore these questions through the process of making art while examining the relationship between voluntary artist’s journeys and contemporary art practices. This report, Let it Simmer over Summer: An artist’s journey, pause and composition, is a reflective analytical account of an investigation guided by my own art practice between 2012 and 2015. This investigation is based on my experiences of travelling across continents between 2008 and 2011. I create new artworks by composing footage made during my travels. Composition, for me, is a way of reflecting my journeys by making art. This report also examines works of art by Roni Horn, On Kawara and Koo Jeong A who travel around the globe in developing their art practices. This thesis makes its original contribution by creating a new body of artwork that includes videos, sculptures and exhibitions. Through this process, the concepts of visual rhyming and the audience’s journey are developed. This research, led by my own art practice, contemplates the notions of journey, pause and composition as a way of devising new ways of telling stories of the journeys using artworks. This thesis consists of three components: 1) The Report, 2) The Artwork, and 3) The Artist’s Book.