SKIP Gallery | Na, I Don't Want None of That Again

Parking space opposite 19 Hoxton Square, London
SKIP Gallery | Na, I Don't Want None of That Again image
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Event has ended
This event ended on Sunday 2nd of April 2017
Admission
Free
Location

Parking space opposite 19 Hoxton Square, London

Nearest Tube/Rail Stations
Old Street 0.29 miles

Na, I Don’t Want None of That Again

Artist and creator Catherine Borowski was brought up in North London, a child of left wing, academic parents. After her father left home Borowski’s mother abruptly converted to Islam, and the artist’s work explores this dislocation and issue of identity. While undertaking the Islamic pilgrimage known as the Hajj to Mecca, Borowski’s mother, who had then taken the Islamic name Aliyah, died in unexplained circumstances. As the Saudi government bars all non-Muslims from visiting Mecca, Borowski is not able to visit her mother’s grave. All she has is a scrap of paper with handwritten co-ordinates on it, of the location of the grave.

This inaugural work, entitled Na, I Don’t Want None of That Again, is the first in the Skip Gallery series of 2017, is Catherine and Lee’s response to mothers, motherhood and to Catherine’s personal experience.

The installation uses the skip as a marker, casting a shadow over hundreds of spindles, marking both the shadow of Catherine’s mother’s death, and referencing unmarked graves. The spindles are no more than 19cm high, taking reference from the Islamic tradition of graves being no more than a hand’s height.

The spindles are shadowed by the skip itself, whilst/while within the skip, work by Lee Baker references the theme of maternal love, rebirth and serendipity. Lee’s mother, an Iranian Muslim, took on the mantle of grandmother to Catherine’s son upon hearing of Aliyah’s death.

The interior of the skip remains dark and dirty. Silver fabric on the floor moves independently from anything else - as if there’s someone underneath it (there is). The viewer will be equipped with headphones, to absorb and be moved by a soundscape which works with the moving fabric. The music will be an extracted version, an abstract pulse from two songs beloved by Catherine’s mother Aliyah.

The culmination of the event, of the launch evening (of every evening) is a firework display, proclaiming in explosive lights, a celebration of Aliyah’s life, a celebration of motherhood and a remembrance and cathartic moment for Catherine. The fireworks spell out Aliyah’s name.

This is a celebration, a memorial service, above all a cathartic moment for Catherine.

Tags: Art

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