Abstract:
Mark-making can occupy a fluid middle-ground of identities open to differentiation of one thing versus another. What a thing is or is not attracts a mix of limiting and liberating definitions, offering inquiry into intermediaries between the likes of purpose and outcome, actual and apparent effects, or meanings stemming from materiality and interpretation. Exploring the tidal influences between things known and unknown as well as managed and random, this study uses imaging of textile dye, an actioncentric process of immersion printing. Potentials for visually testing material's interruption of authorial intent literally unfolds with morphological changes based on forms composed blindly in a bath, a textile manipulated by reductions of tied compressions yet submitting to vagaries of perfusion's own algorithm. Identity of marked fabric is autographed by risks engaged between restricting the textile and inviting chemical contamination of it. Results of misted tones and firm resisted lines form heavily abstracted shapes to strongly reference both watercolour and print processes. Abbreviating the material interface, including limits to colour, embeds distilled process as a key action and prompts research into the extent of control and chance when priority is given to materials and their effects...