Chew-Drink-Spit

Chew-Drink-Spit

2016 DV PAL

Much of my recent practice explores the concept of ‘Repetition Compulsion’ where a person repeats a traumatic event, often from childhood, over and over again to the point at which it can take over his life. I made a video of myself repetitively chewing paper, drinking milk then spitting them both out. The beauty in my work comes from my unconscious and I am working through some painful memories with a psychotherapist to help me understand myself.

The paper may represent the place where painful memories are written, the milk may relate to infancy, innocence and bonding and the spit may symbolise the expulsion of trauma, rejection or a loss of control.

Chew & Spit