Approved: 06.01.2009

Merlyn Riggs

Artist

Approved: 06.01.2009

I have a socially engaged, collaborative art practice, focusing on public participatory art works. It can be termed as Dialogical Art , Anthropological Art or Social Sculpture and takes the form of events, performances, installations or happenings but essentially they are not just artworks concerning passive observation, but active participation- the art relies totally on the viewer to bring it alive.

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    Artist Statement

    I have a socially engaged, collaborative art practice, focusing on public participatory art works. It can be termed as Dialogical Art , Anthropological Art or Social Sculpture and takes the form of events, performances, installations or happenings but essentially they are not just artworks concerning passive observation, but active participation- the art relies totally on the viewer to bring it alive. I identify relevant, common issues which deal with reality and produce pieces which stimulate dialogue and may provide a platform for further action. Physically my work takes the form of installations using easily recognisable everyday found objects and social situations, culminating in work that emerges from wardrobes, appears in the context of a museum, poses as a Coffee Morning or on the pages of a cookbook. I also use the invisible materials that are available to everyone- feelings, thoughts, speech and conversation, giving them substance and form. Through audience participation, I hope to provoke more active and effective engagement with wider socio-cultural contexts. I bring together groups of people with a common interest creating a temporary community to generate relationships and communication. Food is a key element in my artwork I create social occasions built around hospitality . All of my artworks are peripatetic and can be set up in gallery and non-gallery spaces. I create Contexts, provide specific Content and open Conversation. My primary resource is the public, to participate, interact and collaborate with my work. I initiate non-threatening pieces to challenge convention and stereotypes, hand it over to the participants and work with whatever I get back. The participants become the authors of the work. The outcome is unpredictable and very exciting.

    CV & Education

    Public realm 2010 - Tea in the Tent, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen 2010 - V.O.P. Food in a V.I.P. Place, Fortnum and Mason, Picadilly London 2010 - What Do You Put On Your Plate? Art Laboratory and Sc-art Tearoom, Archeaolink Pre-History Park, Oyne, Aberdeenshire 2010 - Woman's Hour, Local Community Radio, Aberdeen Qualifications and training 2008 - Batchelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture), Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen Group exhibitions 2009 - Colouring in for Adults, Mill Farm Gallery, Aberdeenshire 2009 - Not Quite A Garden Party, Ardo House, Aberdeen 2008 - Aberdeen Artists Society Exhibition, Aberdeen Art Gallery Live/Performance 2011 - The Peripatetic Tearoom, Scottish Book Trust, Royal Mile Edinburgh 2010 - Can Walking be Art? Art Breakfast with Mary Jane Jacob and Hamish Fulton, Social Club Deveron Arts, Huntly Aberdeenshire 2010 - Picnic For The Beuys with Richard Demarco and Guests, Craigcrook Castle, Edinburgh 2010 - The Peripatetic Tearoom - Talking Tearooms, Seaton Community Centre, Aberdeen 2009 - Every man is an Artist, Joseph Beuys in Scotland, with Richard Demarco Arts Breakfast with Richard Demarco, Ex-serviceman's Club, Huntly Aberdeenshire 2009 - Hairst Soup Kitchen, Stewart's Hall, Huntly Aberdeenshire 2009 - Make Friends with Strange People:The pressing need for greater openness, curiosity and promiscuity in the world of art . Arts Breakfast with Peter Jenkinson, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden Aberdeenshire 2009 - The Peripatetic Tearoom, Street Level Gallery, Glasgow 2009 - Why are Artists Poor? Arts Breakfast with Hans Abbing, Linden Community Centre, Huntly Aberdeenshire Workshops 2011 - Expanded Fields- Craftmanship, Scottish Tapas, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden Aberdeenshire Residencies 2010 - We Are Lumsden, Scottish Sculpture Workshop, Lumsden Aberdeenshire 2008 - Residency at Deveron Arts, Huntly, Aberdeenshire Projects 2010 - International Women's Day What Woman has influenced You?, Golden Zone Square, Aberdeen 2010 - Make Your Mark Centenary Celabration of Women's Right to Vote, Golden Zone Square, Aberdeen 2009 - Let Them Eat Cake, Prostitute and Drug Abuse Drop-in Centre, Aberdeen 2009 - Red Dress Day, Union Street, Aberdeen 2008 - International Women's Day Event, Scottish Houses of Parliament, Edinburgh