Oct 2010 – Apr 2011
Tom Marshman was artist-in-residence at ICIA during the 2010-11 academic year. His playful interventions raised smiles, eyebrows and interesting questions amongst students, staff and visitors on campus. Tom became intrigued by the idea that students make their transitory home-from-home at the University, with its own residences, shops, banks, cafes, art galleries, theatre and sports centre. If home is where the heart is, what does it mean to live on campus? Exploring the place of intimacy and domesticity in a public institution, Tom’s activities included sleeping in a public window display; hosting a corridor dinner party for students and staff; and as ‘launderette quizmaster’ testing people’s knowledge of washing instruction symbols.
A multi-media exhibition marked the conclusion of Tom’s residency. Inhabiting the gallery space, Tom created a domestic dwelling; combining real furniture from students’ rooms with simple life-size wall drawings of interiors, interwoven with video and photography from interactions on campus. Audiences were invited to occupy the space for as long as they wish; to interact with objects, curl up in an armchair and browse texts by writers who informed his work. At the opening of the exhibition, Tom spoke in conversation with Deborah Aguirre Jones, discussing his work in relation to ICIA’s 2011 theme Set in Play…
Tom also performed two new pieces whilst in residence at the University. Move Over Darling charted the real life experiences of gays and lesbians from Bristol, and work in progress Legs 11 was one of five pieces shown at Practice.
Tom Marshman is an associate artist of both Arnolfini in Bristol and Chisenhale Dance Space, London. He has been a practicing performance artist for over ten years. He has produced over 20 projects in a wide range of media including performance, photography, installation, publication and film. Tom actively encourages a dialogue with audiences and participants, aiming to create a safe space to share their thoughts and experiences. The results give very evocative and authentic glimpses into everyday things. To date the purpose of Tom’s work has been to address issues that are often considered as mundane or commonplace. He places his work in unusual spaces, developing the work in the community that exists there.
I have a fascination for uncovering extraordinary stories from ordinary lives. I am keen to develop art work that is cross-generational and which resonates with all age groups. My practice incorporates visual images and multi-layered signifiers employing video, movement, sound, and text. I have a specific playful, humorous and eccentric sensibility, where I authentically place myself within the frame, allowing me to take responsibility and clear ownership over the content.
Tom Marshman