Together, unravelled, and back together again
Images 1-16: A book of passing conversations, 2012-2014, social practice and unbound book, pencil, pen, watercolour, cotton thread, upcycled and found objects, dimensions variable. Images courtesy of the artists.
a book of passing conversations (2012-2014) commenced hand in hand with Uncovering pathways. At the time of the-parcel forming at the end of 2012 Heldon and Raffan had experienced numerous synchronised parallels within their work and their lives. Heldon discovered a book linking to Raffan's deceased grandmother which in turn led to similar treasured findings from Heldon's grandmothers’ estate. It was from this, the two decided to work with outdated found books based upon hydrology, geology and botany and also utilise paper tablets that had been kept by Heldon's grandmother.
Heldon and Raffan made drawings, markings, weavings and assemblages together, shared these back and forth, changing and rearranging the drawings, taking photos and then reworking some of the images repeatedly. Some of the pages had only been marked once and some numerous times passing back and forth between the two artists.
During the process the two artists express their strong connection to the photographs of the assemblages and how originally the work would become of book of 'drawings'. Now, however, through the deliberate transient process the work has become more about the movement and placement of the drawings and objects together, ultimately producing a self-published book of photographs, drawings and assemblages. Representing the essence of how the work actually commenced, through a culmination of objects, books, paper and rocks. Placed together, unravelled and placed back together again.
Artwork text: a book of passing conversations, 2014.