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The Balloon Project was triggered by my twin passions of journeys and collecting. Thus it has two elements. Like all collections I seize any opportunity I can to obtain something – no matter how small, which bears for me some ‘aura' of the place or moment from which it originates. My desire to travel requires a decision about where to go – but with so many places to choose from – where do I start? That's where the balloon project came in …
Here's how it works. Small messages are sent on tags attached to helium filled balloons asking the finder to send details of where the tag has travelled to. The notion of a balloon drifting away, its destination determined by the elements it encounters parallels life; where it may appear that freedom exists to choose whatever direction desired, but that freedom is ultimately determined by circumstances over which we have no control.
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So far over 400 tags have been sent on balloon journeys and I have received nearly 50 replies from the UK and all over Europe. I travel to the places and make work – responding to the environment my balloon encountered. The people I have come across through the balloons have been amazingly willing to participate – sending maps, information and photographs. Work arising from this project includes photography, linocuts, sculptural pieces, installations, workshops at festivals and artist residencies in Primary Schools.