I want the viewer to retain a physical presence in the space, with an elevated awareness of the intricacies of the environment surrounding them and the objects that occupy it. The objects I create are often playful, precarious and nai¨ve in their choice of material construction. I enjoy the plasticity of words and constructing experimental narratives.
I want the viewer to retain a physical presence in the space, with an elevated awareness of the intricacies of the environment surrounding them and the objects that occupy it. The objects I create are often playful, precarious and nai¨ve in their choice of material construction. I enjoy the plasticity of words and constructing experimental narratives.
The materials I use are pushed, pulled, bound, squashed, laid out, cut up, torn through and manipulated before being lent, draped and positioned. The careful balancing act teeters on the edge of collapse, making their ephemerality and potential for disaster unsettling. Sculptural objects oscillate between small structures presented on the floor and tall, totemic elaborate plinth partners. Fragile and slight objects appear inadvertently crushable whilst taller anthropomorphic structures take on a comparative instability.
It is my intention to create work that is simultaneously logical and surprising. An uncanny sense that it must have existed in the world already, but this is a first encounter for the viewer. A moment of surprise and delight that is not sustainable. I wish my audience to rely on reliving and retelling.
Natasha MacVoy (Born in London 1977)
2006-2009 MA Fine Art, the University of the West of England, Bristol
Selected Exhibitions
2010 It Wouldn’t Be Worth It Without The Struggle, Group show touring Howard Gardens and the Old Library, both Cardiff
2009 A portrait (for a screenplay) of Beth Harman, Curated by Sean Edwards, Limoncello, London
2009 Vice Versa, 10 artists from Holland and UK investigating ideas around exchange touring Kunst in de Kop, Groningen and BV Studios, Bristol
2009 The Seed, One-night sculptural extravaganza, Collaboration with Zoe Williams and Lucie Wilkins, Plan 9 Gallery, Bristol
2009 Crossroads, 12 artists representing the UWE post-graduate programme touring Bower Ashton, Bristol and MAMU Gallery, Budapest
2008 When we build, let us think we build forever, Chloe Brooks, Michael Dean, Maria-Brigita Karantzi, Natasha MacVoy, Anouk Mercier, Spike Island Commissioning Bay, Bristol
2008 Brave not beige, Hannah Birkett, Robert Chevasse, Joseph Evans, Natasha MacVoy, Flore NoveJosserand, Elanor Lindsey-Flynn, Tobias Priscott, Plan 9 Gallery, Bristol
2007 The Wrong Place, Old Pro Cathedral, Bristol – 17 artists selected for a one-night exhibition in a disused Cathedral
Residencies and Awards
2008 Awarded curatorial and research bursary, Spike Island Associates, Bristol
2007 Awarded Melhuish Travel Bursary supporting trip research trip to Venice Biennale,
Documenta and Sculpture Projects, Spike Island Associates, Bristol
Curatorial Projects and Events
2009-2010 Co-ordinator of a networking project between artists of Spike Island Associates, Bristol,G39, Cardiff and Eastside Projects, Birmingham
2008 Curator, Not Here Not Now, Anna Barham, Tom Dale, Maria-Brigita Karantzi, Andy Parker, Plan 9 Gallery, Bristol
2008 Co-curator, When we build, let us think we build forever, Spike Island Commissioning Bay, Bristol
2007 Co-ordinator of residency week, It’s not big & It’s not clever, Widsombe Gallery, Bath, Including 5 artists for one week
2007 Speaker, public discussion for Working Things Out, Spike Island, Bristol
Reviews and Talks
2008 Review of Not Here Not Now on www.artcornwall.org, Written by Jeremy Walton, 14December
2008 Review of Not Here Not Now in Metro, Written by David Trigg, 3 December
2008 Public talk by Rosemary Shirley on When we build, let us think we build forever, Spike Island, Bristol, 3 May
Employment and Internships
2013-date Teaching Assistant
2009 Speaker, Brief Encounters? Cornwall Visual Arts Forum, St Ives, Cornwall
2009 Visiting Artist, Professional Practice talk to third year Fine Art BA, UWE, Bristol
2008-2010 Plan 9, contributor to the programme
2008 Visiting Artist, Year 7 recycling installation project, Chosen Hill School, Gloucester
2007-2009 Gallery invigilator and Front of House co-ordinator, Spike Island, Bristol
2005-date Co-Director, GMC Concepts & Events Ltd, Pines Courtyard, Stone, Gloucestershire. GMC Concepts & Events Ltd conceives and delivers events.
2001-2005 Freelance photographer for the Ski and Snowboard Industry, published worldwide