A new collaboration between dance artist Kate Wilson and visual artist Martha Quinn.
In this dance-based research, Kate Wilson addresses the relational and time-based dimensions in the visual art genre of portraiture, exploring links in both the act and enduring object of the portrait with improvisational dance-based duet forms.
Kate approaches this research from the perspective of established practices in both visual art and performance. An honours graduate of the Slade School of Art, she has continued for more than twenty years, a painting practice as a fine artist, creating work on canvas for group and solo exhibitions before focusing on her performance company, Undercurrent and receiving her masters in dance in 2020.
"As I am drawing and painting a moving subject I witness their embodiment as a dialogue with memory, imagination and environment, unfolding in time and motion." Kate Wilson
Sensing of other/outer and the active space between is experienced as a continuous journeying back and forth between sensing ‘without’ to sensing ‘within’ and a merging of these. The dialogic and perceived dissolution of boundary is explored in the duet/portrait collaboratively within non hierarchal structures. Here the energies and engagements of the ‘in-between’ become integral with self and other/ outer.
The emerging images feed-back in a loop, becoming an integral part of a recycling and folding back, layering and reinventing a process further extended through integration of reflective writing. Images and writing in this research serve the dual function of documenting and generating material, supporting the movement practice both as embedded and embodied documentation systems.
The development of Folds of the Soul at the Dock in 2024 is the beginning of a new collaboration with visual artist and sculptor Martha Quinn and explores the relating of space and time in embodied approaches to image, static three-dimensional structures, and movement.
"Through related and distinct processes, we will investigate ideas of solubility and layering in our media. I am interested how time becomes non-linear through processes where moments of resonance come together through repeated actions in line and layering. I am also interested in exploring the potential for creating innovative spatial relationships with audience in these processes, in the context of live performance/ installation." Kate Wilson
The dynamic act of observation as a kinaesthetic and embodied process, and the inherent subjectivity of the artist underpin this work. Folds of the Soul pursues new articulations that shift away from ideas of objectivity, reductionism and individualism, towards inter-relational perspectives and of the dynamic and expanding whole.
Folds of the Soul is an evolving research practice that has previously been exhibited/performed; Trinity Laban Theatre, UK 2020, Echo Echo Festival of Movement and Dance, N.Ireland 2021, Leitrim Sculpture Centre, Ireland 2022 and Dock Arts Centre, Ireland 2024. Research is supported by Echo Echo Festival Commission 2021, Leitrim Live Performance Programming 2022, Arts Council Ireland Extended Dance Residency Programme and The Dock Arts Centre 2024.