Artist of the Week
Ready Player One
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Artist: Megan Preston Elliott
Artform: Artist What does your work focus on? I am a multi-media artist working across film, photography, sculpture, painting and installation. I often insert myself into my work, conducting performances that are captured in film. My practice investigates the impact of digital technology and the online world on the human condition. |
Where have you studied?
I am currently in my third year at City & Guilds of London Art School, studying BA Fine Art. Prior to that I studied for a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Oxford Brookes University. When I left school, I actually went and studied Law for a year, at the University of Nottingham, before deciding that it wasn’t for me!
Please tell us a bit about Ready Player One? (2017)
Ready Player One? is part of a series of work called You Are Now Playing. Comprising of nine masks and a film, Ready Player One? deals with my confusion, anxiety and frustration with my own identity online and offline. It intends to provoke discomfort and the feeling of being trapped - trapped within a feedback loop, monitored by algorithms which feed off my insecurities. I am incredibly interested in the material properties of the physical versus the digital. The choice of material is often a conceptual concern; for example, ‘passion’ and ‘tea tree’ face masks are used in the piece.
I am currently in my third year at City & Guilds of London Art School, studying BA Fine Art. Prior to that I studied for a Foundation Diploma in Art & Design at Oxford Brookes University. When I left school, I actually went and studied Law for a year, at the University of Nottingham, before deciding that it wasn’t for me!
Please tell us a bit about Ready Player One? (2017)
Ready Player One? is part of a series of work called You Are Now Playing. Comprising of nine masks and a film, Ready Player One? deals with my confusion, anxiety and frustration with my own identity online and offline. It intends to provoke discomfort and the feeling of being trapped - trapped within a feedback loop, monitored by algorithms which feed off my insecurities. I am incredibly interested in the material properties of the physical versus the digital. The choice of material is often a conceptual concern; for example, ‘passion’ and ‘tea tree’ face masks are used in the piece.
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Why do you work across multiple mediums?
Initially, when I started studying Fine Art, I considered myself a painter. However, as I progressed through my course, I became interested in working across different media. Looking at the impact of the digital on our lives led me to become interested in the interplay between physical and digital works. How does an incredibly physical object interact with a film displayed on a smooth screen? Much of my work also aims to provoke a physical reaction within the viewer. We are living within physical bodies and, although our selves may now be extending into the online world, we still experience the world through very physical sensations. What and/or who are you influenced by? Previously, I have been heavily influenced by social media and have spent a lot of time trawling different social platforms, tracking hashtags and saving images and posts which later inform and often feature in my work. Whilst this is still important in my work, as I am still appropriating and collecting footage and audio from YouTube, I have started to move away from this a bit. At the moment, I am incredibly interested in the body. I read a lot, especially philosophy and psychology texts. Theatre and literature are important to my work and I am currently exploring the tale of Pinocchio. I am influenced by artists who use masks, props, costumes and puppets in their work, such as: Gillian Wearing, Rebecca Horn, Chris Gray and Cindy Sherman. Also, artists who deal with the influence of the digital on humans, like Jon Rafman, David Blandy, Benedict Drew, Hito Steyerl and Cécile B. Evans. I am currently writing a thesis on Cécile B. Evans’ work What the Heart Wants (2016). |
Ready Player One - still from film
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What excites you about the art world today?
I think the art world is changing as a result of technology. Artists are now able to market themselves on Instagram and connect with other artists and galleries around the world in a way they were not able to before. I am excited about all the opportunities that come with this state of hyperconnectivity, the potential for unusual and innovative collaborations. I have already connected with other artists all over the world via Instagram and I wouldn’t necessarily have heard about their work otherwise.
Why do you like contemporary art? Why do you think contemporary art is important?
Contemporary art is important because it gives individuals a chance to share their voice. It can also shine a light on political and social issues and hopefully prompt discussions that contribute to societal change. I think it also brings joy to communities and brings people together.
I think the art world is changing as a result of technology. Artists are now able to market themselves on Instagram and connect with other artists and galleries around the world in a way they were not able to before. I am excited about all the opportunities that come with this state of hyperconnectivity, the potential for unusual and innovative collaborations. I have already connected with other artists all over the world via Instagram and I wouldn’t necessarily have heard about their work otherwise.
Why do you like contemporary art? Why do you think contemporary art is important?
Contemporary art is important because it gives individuals a chance to share their voice. It can also shine a light on political and social issues and hopefully prompt discussions that contribute to societal change. I think it also brings joy to communities and brings people together.
Current Work in Progress
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What challenges have you set for yourself? Since I originally studied Law, you can probably imagine that I can also be quite a logical, rational thinker. I find that sometimes this side of me can stifle my creative voice and so I set challenges for myself in my studio to overcome this. The challenge for me is to get out of my head and just make work instinctively. I have had to learn to follow my gut sometimes and to make mistakes. The periods of making work instinctively and of research and thinking work in tandem to produce final pieces. |
Have you ever failed at something and what happened as a result? What advice would you give to people as a result of that experience?
As I mentioned before, I believe that it is important to be completely instinctive sometimes when making work and to make mistakes. I have made many failed drawings/paintings/films but it is through these that I have learnt what works and what doesn’t. You never know until you try! These ‘failed’ works often progress my ideas and practice further. I would advise others to experiment and keep persisting, to not be afraid to make mistakes.
Anything interesting coming up soon?
As well as making work in my studio, I run an arts magazine Assemblage. I set up the magazine to give artists an additional platform through which to explore their creative ideas. I write for the magazine alongside several other students at City & Guilds of London Art School. We interview artists that inspire us, or write about topics that we are passionate about. It is aimed at early career artists and includes advice from practicing artists about how to navigate the art world after graduating. We have just released our second issue, which is available to read for free online at www.assemblagemagazine.co.uk.
Further links:
https://www.facebook.com/AssemblageFineArtMagazine/
Instagram - @meganprestonart
@assemblage_magazine
Twitter - @assemblage_mag
