On reflection, the elements I found most exciting in 'the kitchen table' were the large, vertical table legs. I was pleased by their appearance protruding through the horizontal polystyrene, leading me to think about the possibility for this to work on a larger scale.

The detail that can be observed within the two forms is taken from interior architectural details such as wooden banisters and alcoving. I thought this would offer interesting perspectives on the industrial materials being used and the softer forms asscoiated within everyday environments.

The second formal structure, pictured above is aimed at developing my sculptural ideas more architecturally. The first structure hints at this through the combinations of horizontal and vertical elements but lacks communication with any recognisable forms. I began working with the polystyrene cutter more intuitively, working from photographs of highly detailed Baroque architecture in an attempt to provoke a thoughtful understanding regarding the architeture's heritage.

The polystyrene wire cutter allowed this to happen quickly and effectively, with the amount of detail dependent on my developing skills. This allowed me to think more ambitiously about producing highly detailed structures on a larger scale.

Currently, I am interested in pursuing architectural forms from different sites. This has developed from initial site visits, to responses gained from archival research. The combination of recognisable forms and detailing from historical sites, the layering of plaster on top of the polystyrene and Baroque traces aims to maintain and intrinsic interest in the continuing changes within internal and external sites. I still view this as a crucial part of my current sculptural practice and find I am constanltly striving for ways to make this more apparent.

For the exhibition which I am currently working towards creating a short film which explores the inevitable transformations that historical and urban landscapes undergo through time. Using stop-motion to film the sculptures, I will be showing the film at the Dukes in Lancaster to create a conceptual approach to an indefinite location.

The sculptures themselves will be installed in a derelict shop space which the viewer will be invited to visit after seeing the video. I believe this will invite conversation regarding how we interact with space and the understandings we impose ion structures through their timely alterations.

The above images stemmed from a desire to create something that cemented the ideas and experiments from the last 3 months work. I was interested in the relationships that could be drawn out through the different thicknesses of polystyrene and how the heavy application of plaster could contribute to this.

I found the horizontal base and vertical legs which I initially created an interesting angle and wanted to take this further. So to push this further architecurally I created taller structures to represent table legs which protruted from the thin, paper-like polystyrene. At this point, I found myself questioning the colour and texture of the whole object and treating the various parts as separate elements. I did this by plastering some of the structure to test the effects. This made progress slow and decision making too controlled.

The idea was to create a complete structure, and to fulfill this intention I decided to plaster the whole table. This process was difficult with the quick drying time of the plaster and the weight which it gradually adds. But I found that persevering with both of these things made the piece more succesful and aesthetically interesting.

The Kitchen table 10/06

I am working on creating a table that brings together the forms, techniques and surface experiments that I have created in the last 6 months. I want this to be the next stage in my practice and the object to be on a larger scale. I am using 3 different types of polystyrene and using the table arrangement as a very lose description for the object. Above shows an image of the first stage, where I have treated the paper like polystryrene with plaster and then trapped it in the thicker. I really like this effect.

I have created two of these to exist as table legs to form the base. I used a thick base to shape holes in and secure the legs. This has a really interesting effect of creating a lot more depth, questioning the horizontal orgin and exploring the tactile qualities of the different thicknesses.

The larger shapes protruding from the base represent interior architectural details, such as staircases and banister rails. At present this is something I wish to explore further within the sculptures. The detail cut into the polystyrene is acheivable through using the electric cutting tool and allows for subtle details. I arranged the two vertical banisters into the thick base in the same way as the smaller pieces but on a slant to continue with the irregular stucture and manmande aesthetic.

I think this idea could be explored by using the electric cutter on the straight edges within the piece to push the ambiguous shapes and lines in order for the piece to work as a whole.

I've been finding working on the table over the past week quite difficult and I think i've become too precious about the shapes and visual experiments. I need to work much faster and be prepared to take risks in order to push the idea and work with unexpected outcomes. This is something I am hoping to achieve by applying plaster to the entire structure; this is easy to imagine but difficult to progress with unless the results are actually present.

I am currently concerned with the thoughts and sculptures of Tony Cragg, researching his working methods to see how this can be transferred to my own. This artist often sees preliminary work and experiments as 'gestures' rather than searching to create a finished product. I find this idea incredibly useful and am seeking to apply this to my own thoughts and practice.