Charles Herbert Williamson.

2010.

Multi-media Installation (audio, vinyl lettering, 2 books, readymades, and 4 framed letters)

Installation sizes vary

Inspired to explore ways of combining fine art and literature, to create an interdisciplinary work. For Charles Herbert Williamson 2010, I developed a written story based around a fictional character, whose life story is modelled on and realised through gathered information from actual sources. The work acts as a form of play between fact and fiction and a considered and gentle manipulation of the memories of others and historical research, resulting in the creation of an assemblage of information and a portrait without an actual image.

The character is by all stereotypes a cliché elderly British man. Although this may be perceived as a negative, this sense of the typical was my intention. It was important that he be a subtle and non-abrasive person, so that the work would be realised in a very straightforward way to induce maximum response. I hoped to create a story that would invite the viewer to participate with it through personal engagement, in order to envision the character. 

All the elements of the installation connect in order to create an overall visualisation of Charles. As the work deliberately negates from giving any direct portrait image, it is down to the capacity of the viewer’s imagination to produce that vision. They become an active participant in the work and are provided with an opportunity of escapism, which in turn becomes the final element to the work and story of Charles. He comes to life in the mind of the viewer.