#PublicRest Drawing & Sculpture.

Events and objects, an overlapping research project

Informed by my earlier Sauna, Naturism and Laughter Yoga projects, 'Public Rest' is an ongoing series of activities that looks closely at the rare moments and spaces available for stillness, self-reflection and respite. How limited these opportunities are and the structures that make it possible. Were doing 'nothing' might be a useful or productive act or where apathy and inertia might restrict potential.

Above: 'Coloured pencil drawing of my daughter Alice. Public Rest is probably partly inspired by the uncharacteristic moments of calm that occur when my kids let me draw them. 

Above: 'Exhausted Figure' from a series of small sculptures in air-drying clay where i try and make the shape of someone at complete rest in just 60 seconds. After some days when the clay has dried out they are then quickly doused in a mixture of acrylic pigment and mineral energy drink.

Above: ‘Spa Studies (Watchful Parents)’ 2023. From a series of brush pen sketches made on-site in various public spas and pool complexes. A project recording the poses people take on when choosing to undergo formalised relaxation routines

Above: Sauna Life Drawing class at Sweheat Sauna, Royal Docks, London. An occassional workshop where I teach and model simlutaneously, using this specific context to encourage participants to think about how the heat affects our bodies, minds and how we might draw each other.

Above: 'Can I Draw You?' double portrait, from an ongoing series where I invite people to sit for me for 5-10 minutes while I draw them. Usualy at busy public events it provides a rare moment of stillness and focus for us all. Also a useful technique to train myself to capture poses, feelings and characters at speed. 

Above: 'Can I Draw You?' portrait, from a series executed at  alocal primary school fair. I expected to draw a lot of adults and families but instead the queue was solely made up of children, eager to sit and focus, and take away their own portrait. Sometimes we sat in complete silence, other times we spoke about drawing and the experience of being drawn.

Above: 'No Looking Back (Peter)'. One of a series of drawings made at Oakwood Naturist Club, where I was Artist in Residence in 2017/18. Each one made without looking at the paper until I was finished. 

Above: ‘FR2224 (TLL-STN) #1’, brush pen on paper, 209 x 297mm. In bespoke frame topped with a snail and slug made from air drying clay and pigment

Above: 'Post Sauna Portraits', A4 pencil drawings made of people who have stepped straight out of the sauna. Hoping to capture that cathartic moment of transition, in the flushed skin, bedraggled hair and temporarily altered mental and physical state.

Future 'Public Rest' projects for 2025 include:

- More of all the above.

- A series of workshops with Stroke rehab patients in Whipps Cross Hospital, London.

- A number of events devised for two new public saunas coming to the East End of London in Spring 2025.

- Interviews for my 'Public Rest Podcast', with various individuals who incorporate moments of stillness in their lives.

- Hopefully a large Arts Council project Grant application to cover some of this and future plans.