Lindsay Boyd // Profile

My current practice, in the main, could be described as a synthesis between the craft object and notions of survival skills. I have currently been looking at the role of craft in society at present, by comparison to its history as a practise born out of basic human need and necessity. Although craft can no longer be said to fulfil this role, it still has strong connections to this notion of human survival. However today it functions more as a form of emotional survival, rather than to fulfil any physical need. In many ways craft can be seen to sit in direct contrast to contemporary life. It therefore seems an interesting vehicle by which to comment upon the problems of today. My work attempts to highlight these problems by creating implausible solutions in the form of bizarre craft inspired objects. The resultant pieces are often interesting twists on traditional approaches (Knitting, cake decorating and cosmetic making for example) and include reworking of familiar packaging. I have created a number of ‘products’ on this theme each contained within screen-printed packaging or in ‘make your own’ packs and include full instructions on its intended use. These objects are designed to be seen in multiples, and are displayed in a similar fashion to that of shop products, as a form of contemporary sculpture or installation. Some of my most recent works have been based on the idea of distress signalling and communicating feelings of isolation through craft. This can be seen in the works ‘semaphore gloves’, and ‘flag signal iced biscuits’ in which these products have been created in order to comment upon the common feelings of isolation and lack of community in the 21st century. These products aim to aid an individual’s communication with others through the use of old-fashioned flag signalling that would be used in times of distress applied to commonplace home crafts.

Artist's CV