Trying

Vicky Hayward

Preview: Thursday 26th April 5 - 7pm

26.04.18 - 12.05.18

Sheffield based artist Vicky Hayward’s work draws on an interest in the constantly alternating state of the human condition through seemingly repetitive labour tasks. Combining abject, seductive and heavily tactile material qualities, her work moves between sculpture, painting, film and audio. From the monotony of everyday life to the transcendent sensual human experience, subject matter repeatedly changes and further reflects an interest in systematic processes as a means of both initiating a response and developing an understanding of a range of growing contemporary concerns.

TRYING is a body of work that marks the passing of time through a difficult period. Bullet Journaling provided a focus - the format of it means there is always a need to dot a graph or layout and fill in a page. Holding on to this routine compelled a will to create and to collate the data accrued visually in a way that speaks to the universal human experience. TRYING was prompted by a frustration at the portrayal of feminine mental health in the media as an often vacuous and tragic figure. TRYING seeks to portray the quotidian aspects of a personal truth; the funny, mundane and life affirming aspects of surviving mental illness. An interest in expectations and realities around constructed ideas and presentations of the self drives the work to seek beauty in the banality of existence.

Vicky Hayward (b. 1991) Selected recent exhibitions/projects include: Malevolent Eldritch Shrieking, Attercliffe TM, Sheffield (2018), Blowing A Gail, curated by Womanstanley, Old Town House, Warrington (2017); Treat Yo Self, curated by It’s All Tropical, Bloc Projects, Sheffield (2015); £1 Fish, curated by It’s All Tropical, S1 Artspace, Sheffield, (2014); The Confluence Project, CADS, Sheffield, (2013); PRISM 13, Hutton’s Building, Sheffield, (2012). Recipient of the SIA Gallery Award (2013). Co-founder of Tough Matter with fellow artist Ashley Holmes (2018). Hayworth completed her BA (Hons) Fine Art at Sheffield Hallam University in 2013.

1.Burning, 2017

Baking tray, burnt salmon

2.Smelling (My signature scent is Febreze), 2018

Dressing gown, diamanté strips

3.Layering (Made Up Ecosystems), 2017

1: Polystyrene packaging, Soap & Glory flake away, Seventeen instant glow bronzing powder, Aussie miracle beach wave, Seventeen metallic eye pencil (aquamarine), No 7 Pop & Glow cheek tint, W7 Naked Nudes eye shadow palette (white), So..? Kiss Me body spray, Pantene In-Shower foam conditioner, used cotton wool buds

2: Polystyrene packaging, used cotton wool buds, L’Oreal Proffessionnel techni.art texture spray force 2, So..? Kiss Me body spray

3: Polystyrene packaging, 17 berry crush lip stain, Lasting Finish by Kate Moss for Rimmel shade 107, Benefit Dandelion lip gloss, Impulse hint of musk body spray, MAC blusher, Maxfactor Creme Puff pressed powder in 05 translucent, L’Oreal Proffessionnel techni.art texture spray force 2, Miss Sporty studio colour duo eye shadow in 202 Vogue, Simple Kind to Eyes make up remover.

4.Sinking, 2013

Concrete, foil, bubble wrap

5.Accumulating (Glow Quest), 2018

Unstretched canvas, make up, cotton wool pads

6.Hoping, 2018

Art bench from 2008, feather boa, clamshell, ash

7.Counting (October 2017), 2018

Two audio works of the artist stating her mood on a scale of 1-10 over the course of two weeks, 28 minutes looped

2 mp3 players, 2 speakers, charging cables

8.Leaving, 2017

Pillow case, make up, pillow

9.Mending, 2018