Simon Cottrell: Surface Depths

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Simon Cottrell

Structured improvisation is the real time process of intuitively drawing on conscious knowledge and experience within a set of open-ended parameters. While working in this way I know what my aims and priorities are but I have no idea as to exactly how I will achieve them in any new piece. Nearly all decisions are made in a process of reflection during making. I start by making one form, and then another in response to it. The third form is made by reflecting on the relationships between the previous two and also with consideration as to how the third form will add and effect that prior relationship.

For many years I have explained my work as being both 'of' and 'about' my specific creative process. With the new work for this exhibition I am taking it further again. Reflection is a central process that draws on previous aesthetic outcomes to inform the conception of new work. In many of my new works I am attempting to make the process of reflection more visible. In some cases, focussing distinctly on a much earlier work and then reflecting and reworking it. In other cases making objects which attempt to represent ‘reflection’ both in process of making and within the tangible formal relationships which are built.