Strands of Wishful Thinking: Hairlings and Other Things

Marion Michell's art touches on childhood, on growing up and its anxieties. It is as much an exploration of memory as of physical experience - not necessarily concrete memories, more moods and atmospheres, interwoven with elements from myths and fairytales. In a precarious balance between familiar and extra-ordinary shapes, it is a metaphorical investigation of our complex and ever-changing relationships to the past.

The exhibition presents assembled objects, re-fashioned heirlooms and photography as well as crocheted outfits which skirt the border of reality. Using the physical as an entry‐point into the psyche, Michell aims to make emotions manifest in a physical way, making concrete what isn’t (or can’t) be spoken. Dense with symbolism, this is small and intimate work, intense and a bit scary, and loaded with humour, ambiguity and contradiction. It sits on the threshold between fine art and craft.

Due to M.E. (and now also P.O.T.S.) Michell makes most of her work lying down and has done so for years. The choice of medium - crochet - has its base partly in these circumstances, and partly in how it lends itself to the exploration of (childhood) memory and post-memory.

The exhibition opened with an artist’s talk via live Skype-link at 3pm on Saturday 2 May. Belfast artist Joanne Proctor works in human hair, and collaborated with Michell to make new pieces in association with this exhibition.