'CONTAGION'
18/03/2021 - 01/04/2021
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By Brandon Lavan
@lavanartistry
The creations I construct accurately reflects my growing understanding of issues that are personal and political in equal measure, and where I stand in relation to them. I weave personal, raw and complicated topics with visceral imagery: fleshed out using thoughtful colours and chaotic formations. I am influenced greatly by modern artistic movements that focus on political/psychological/social change i.e. Paul Thek and Alina Szapocznikow. I like the idea of combining current/topical subjects with surrealist styles to create truly unique imagery. Apart from painters, another prominent influence on my work is the use of cinematography, lighting and performance art.
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I believe these art forms in their theatricality have potent storytelling qualities – which is present within my overall style. This series is a self-reflection on the intimate relationship between mental illness; the burdens of everyday life and the intricacies involved in holding it all together. I share intimate and appropriate details in relation to my fragile and often volatile and contradictory array of emotions and psychological identity that was and still is heightened rapidly from the impact of the pandemic. With my insight, coupled with my knowledge and continued research into other artists’ perspectives of the complex nature of mental health and identity politics, I plan to create a raw, honest and a rather dark narrative and internal environment working with mainly surreal sculptural and performative elements like artists such as Hans Bellmer. Boldness and rawness – in terms of artistic depiction - are a means to which I contribute to the complex discourse surrounding personal issues and how we as a society respond to them.
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A theme that envelopes and spans much of this series in some way or another is the heightened internal entrapment and suffering during the pandemic. These things mean different things to different people and I myself have my own psychological burdens to carry. These burdens I have cause immense pain and suffering – they pry open my eyes, seal my mouth shut, torture and force me to consider my life and my problems. These pieces personify the deep struggle and a realisation that there may be no escape from this claustrophobic mindset during this fearful time. The surroundings appear like brutalised, grotesque clusters/cocoons, oozing and mutilated with paranoia which makes it evident that this suffering has been spreading like a parasite for a long time.
‘I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream’
2020, A2, Acrylic, ink and expanding foam.
‘Torso'
2020, Spray paint, ink and expanding foam on mannequin.
‘Body Bags’
2020, Acrylic, spray paint, plasticine, expanding foam in sheets.
Isolation as a means of self-preservation is key. The paranoia brought about by my severe depression sometimes gets the better of me to such an extent that it utilises my strength (strong willed, analytical) for negative purposes (unbeknownst to himself). I stand by my assertions, right or wrong, in a do or die kind of way. This set of circumstances can make me unreachable. My uncompromising stance – something that could serve me well under the right circumstances – can ultimately cause strain. Rarely but with the correct medicine, healthy attitude and approach to life can be avoided entirely. This sculpture represents the negative outcome of falling with aim or finding
a way to control this maelstrom of madness, symbolic of the tiresome battle for control of one’s own emotions.
People who suffer from extreme depression and anxiety often report feeling this way. Some refer to their depression as “the unwelcome visitor”, a personality in its own right. A manifestation of malignant and toxic emotions equipped with the power to destroy a person’s sense of overall awareness and happiness, as well as their ability to see things rationally. This introduces ‘The Two Selves’ in a means of understanding the complex narrative of my mental health and how I try to balance it – and how in certain circumstances it feels like there are two warring forces at play within my mind. The body suit depicts the mixed up, internal-external distinctions between the two selves’ psyches. One yearns for light, colour and vibrance whilst another embraces and is enveloped by darkness creating this contrasting, brutalised eyesore. The placement of the opposing merging within one formation is meant as well as the theme of forced coexistence.
There are several themes at play within this piece. The most intrinsic and obvious theme is self-punishment, retribution. My entire body, dismembered, can be seen swollen, bruised, butchered, self-mutilated and dehumanised in every possible way. Hoisted up in transparent, body bags for all to see. The small tears on the bags signifies the last amount of mental energy of escape and yet failing, with the fingers trying to rip through. The pinstripes creases on each bag represent prison bars which encapsulate the swollen and beaten visage below. A sequence of events beginning with suspicion, fear, accusation, remorse and lastly, (self) retribution.
‘Second Skin’
2020, Acrylic, spray paint, expanding foam on boiler suit.
‘From One to The Other’
2020 video
As it is my first time experimenting with video/performance, I wanted to create a visual narrative that primarily focuses on my new approach of applying to my creativity in this current state with the pandemic. With this, I wanted to create a dehumanising transformation (from appearance, moving, sound, environment etc) and show the struggles/energy that is being taken place whilst manifesting into this second personality’s skin and the repetitive actions/mindset ‘he’ creates with open interpretation.
