WAVE
Collection:UAL Art Collection
Date: 2022
Artist: Mackenzie Willis (Canadian)
Medium: Mudlarked Ceramic, Copper-Coated Steel, Super-Glue, Epoxy
Object number: UAC 1099
DescriptionMackenzie studied MA Designer Maker at Camberwell College of Arts. Her artist's statement says that ''Mudlarking for Madness' is an exploration of making as a healing practice through auto-ethnographical means. Having been first diagnosed with Childhood Panic Disorder at the age of six, Mackenzie has reflected upon the physical shapes that her life-long chronic illness have materialised. Upon first arrival to London, she sought mudlarking as a means of self-therapy due to the lack of access to readily available healthcare.
Over the past year, Mackenzie has sought refuge by collecting artefacts along the
Thames and thereafter, through actions of cleaning, processing and effecting new
composite objects by means of rigorous self-reflection. By collecting hundreds of
Mudlarked materials, she has manifested a series of objects that employ emotionally charged shapes. Through the externalization of her illness and the mnemonic quality of the materials, she has exteriorized fragility and bared witness in the quality of the found materials.'
Over the past year, Mackenzie has sought refuge by collecting artefacts along the
Thames and thereafter, through actions of cleaning, processing and effecting new
composite objects by means of rigorous self-reflection. By collecting hundreds of
Mudlarked materials, she has manifested a series of objects that employ emotionally charged shapes. Through the externalization of her illness and the mnemonic quality of the materials, she has exteriorized fragility and bared witness in the quality of the found materials.'
