insideKENT Magazine Issue 101 - September 2020 | Page 9

Where do your ideas come from?
Using site visits as a catalyst to research, write and
produce works, I often work in partnership with
manufacturers, heritage sites, public monuments,
and archives. In recent months I was the recipient
of the first completely digital art commission for the
National Festival of Making (supported by the Arts
Council England, Creative Lancashire & Deco
Publique), where I was paired with a manufacturer
in Lancashire. Being immersed within a factory
setting had a profound impact on the way I engaged
with my practice and enabled me to work
collaboratively with the staff on site.
What inspires and influences your art?
Industrial sites and monuments have always held a
place of significance to me. I am fascinated by the
rhythm and gravitas that machines generate, with
the human as the mediator or facilitator of
production. Many of these machines that once held
a rhythm have become petrified statues, inert and
lifeless. They end up in our global scrapyards, repurposed,
destroyed or preserved as monuments to
remind us of a bygone era. It is through these
unresponsive relationships that I have become
captivated by the stretch of time between the
industrial and post-industrial.
You also teach at The University for the
Creative Arts, how does teaching impact on
your own practice?
I thoroughly enjoy teaching and feel that my role as
an educator is very much an extension of my practice.
Sharing my own experiences as an artist has enabled
me to cultivate a learning environment where critical
debate and discussion are centred around current
practices. These extraordinary conversations are
inspirational, engaging and challenge the way I think
about my own practice.
What is the most special, unusual, daring,
or interesting commission you’ve ever
received?
I have worked on a number of commissions over
the years, all of which have been incredible! However,
I am currently undertaking a year-long residency at
a robotics manufacturer within Liverpool (supported
by Arts Council England). Here I will be working
on a new body of work for the National Festival of
Making, which will be shown in 2021.
Do you have any artistic heroes?
I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Price’s work, especially
‘K’ which brings together text, image, voice and
percussion in a two-screen video installation. I
remember seeing this piece at The Infinite Mix a
number of years ago and enjoyed how the audience
were choreographed in a mechanised fashion. I am
also a big fan of Benedict Drew, Mikhail Karikis and
Tai Shani.
Where can we see your work?
Online at www.lizwilson.work and instagram
@_liz_wilson_.
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