For our October Spin event, we will meet at artist Kevin Harman’s studio. Kevin’s work crosses definitions of sculpture, installation and performance. In his most recent work, The Absinthe Bar (2014) he created an immersive environment in his studio. This was the backdrop for a series of ‘happenings’ which included a resident tattoo artist, butchery demonstrations, poetry readings, musical performances as part of this year’s Edinburgh Art Festival.
Previous works include the Skip series (2007–) where the artist has ‘tidied up’ the contents of skips around Edinburgh making unique sculptural artworks from the detritus of the cycle of renovation and repair in the city. In his 2009 work, Brick, the artist smashed the window of the former Collective Gallery space on Cockburn Street. The subsequent police statements, cautions and lawyers letters now form the body of the remaining artwork.
Many of his works begin with found objects and existing scenarios which are then adapted and transformed in to unique artworks. He said of his though process: ‘When viewing the sculpture of Saddam Hussein being pulled down, I was witnessing an object, which had been built to be permanent, transforming, advancing how futile an idea of permanence became.’
His piece 24/7 (2012) began as a 24-hour visit to an Asda Supercentre. Everything in the subsequent installation in a disused city centre shop was created from purchases during this 24-hour period culminating in a live auction where the entire installation was auctioned off.
Kevin has previously exhibited at Ingleby Gallery, Summerhall, Talbot Rice Gallery and Collective.
