Remedial Geologies IV

Location

Country: France
City: Paris
Place: British Embassy

Remedial Geologies IV is a wall-based neon, constructed of clear glass tubing filled with argon gas, bent to resemble rocky crags. The neon gently flickers from the movement of blue gas, an effect intentionally created from not applying a layer of phosphorus to the tubes. The rocky forms are inspired by the artist’s memory of an area of hilly terrain in Wales where their grandfather lived. 

Since the onset of their disability in 2013, RA Walden has become increasingly conscious of their distance from nature and its associated restorative power. Researching Google Maps and online sources of UK sites, they have produced work that explores the potential of nature to be remedial when experienced remotely. Walden is a trained neon bender; however, due to their disability, recent pieces including this work were constructed by their mentor and teacher. In this work, Walden painted the connective cables black.

RA Walden is a transdisciplinary artist based in London and Berlin, working across video, print, neon, text and installation. Their socially-engaged practice explores queer and disabled identities, linked to the Sickness Affinity Group – an artist/activist group concerned with issues of sickness and disability. Walden has had solo exhibition at Southsquare Gallery, Thornton (2017); Helmut Gallery: Leipzig (2018); SOHO20, New York (2019); and Kunstinstituut Melly (fka Witte de With), Rotterdam (2021). Their work has been included in group exhibitions including at: BALTIC 39, Gateshead (2019); Hebbel Am Ufer, Berlin (2019); Tate Exchange: Tate Modern, London (2019); Kunstverein Hildescheim (2020).They were appointed a Fellow of the UdK Graduate School and Berlin Centre for Advanced Studies in Art And Science (2019-21). Selected residencies are Shandaken: Storm King Residency Program, New York (2019) and Wysing Arts Centre (2020).

Places

Subjects

Materials & Techniques

light, light sculpture, neon sculpture

Artist

RA Walden (1987 - )

Title

Remedial Geologies IV

Edition

Number 2 in an edition of 5, plus 1 artist's proof

Date

2019

Medium

8mm clear glass tubing, argon gas, mercury, HT cable, power supply

Dimensions

height: 35.5 cm; width: 99.5 cm; depth: 10.0 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from the artist March 2021, through the Art XUK project 2020-21

Provenance

The artist (co-commission by Art B&B, and Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists, funded by Arts Council England); from whom purchased by UK Government Collection; 31 March 2021

GAC number

18958