Natural Course of Things

Natural Course of Things 
Jon Barker 
Joseph Fairweather 
Sarah Mayhew 
12 - 20 May. 12 - 6pm
The Old Boot Factory, 102-104 St Mary's Road, Oxford, OX4 1QD

The Natural Course of Things is a set of three stand-alone installations created by three independent artists, and takes its’ name from Sarah Mayhew’s immersive installation that, not unlike Jon Barker’s or Joseph Fairweather Hole’s work, explores the psychology of space through subconscious languages and landmarks

Sarah Mayhew studied Fine Art, and later Spatial Design; she has worked as a curator, and continues to work in cultural event production and promotion, and also as an art critic. Through her creative practice Mayhew explores ideas concerning the personalised nature of decision making, of pathways in art and life, and the way that one’s environment can dictate direction. Frequently drawing on adages or aphorisms when entitling her works she reinforces the sense of familiarity, or lack of, between viewer and experience. Captivated by the idea that our own personal histories have built up idiosyncratic languages that are generally only known to us on a subconscious level, Mayhew invites the viewer to navigate unknown waters. Landmarks are placed in front of the viewer that enable them to charter their journey as they so wish, dependent upon their ability to read the language of the landmarks, and their confidence in taking on such a journey. 

Jon Barker is a Lighting Designer who works mostly with rock and roll bands touring at an international level. For the animation festival ANIMATE Kingston 2012 Barker was commissioned to create an installation that explores the relationship between people and the space around them through the use of interactive sound, lighting and video projections. For The Natural Course of Things Barker will transform an area at the rear of The Old Boot Factory into an interactive visual and sonic experience in which viewers can immerse themselves.

Splitting his time between London and Oxford Joseph Fairweather Hole is a Scenographer, Illustrator and Artist. Installed in an unassuming side-room that forms part of The Old Boot Factory, Chimney is an imposing monolithic concrete structure that marks and commands physical space, whilst the movement of light within it depicts the passage of time. Chimney draws its reference from similarly shaped structures that have stood throughout history, and continue to stand, to mark ritual or symbols across civilizations, like a standing stone, lighthouse, or chimney.