I am a writer, sculptor, and performer. My work throws shade and trivial humour at hypernormativity as a coping strategy and tongue-in-cheek critique, with pause for joy.
I am interested in material juxtapositions and how they reference complex linguistics, contradictions, and social absurdities. I am obsessed with underlying tensions and covert understandings: the tragicomedy of communication drives through my work, the ambigious chicken motif at the steering wheel.
Camp, kitsch and implausible decoration polka dot my practice in a skeptical failing of ‘fine’ art or consistent production. I have been told I would never finish a painting (I have!). Found assemblages draw together poetics and silliness and ask: will this flop? And what if it does?
My work revolves around the meme and mantra (at the moment!) of ‘You’re not consistent.’ Curious about making art sentient to its conditions of production, I am an advocate of that which wobbles, falls over, collapses, makes mistakes and reveals its vulnerabilities.
I have worked for Goldsmiths Summer School program as a facilitator and workshop assistant for young people at Horniman Museum and Gardens. Developing accessible workshops and researching artist-education is part of my work.
Thank you for reading… Oli Mardon x