Malako Webster

Artist Biography

 

My name is Malako Webster and I am from Manchester currently in my first year at the University of Leeds where I have been constricted to my room due to the pandemic. As an artist, I have felt suffocated and frustrated being constricted to my room which resulted to the focus of my project- the small space of my bedroom. It also links to the creation of our group's collective artist house in which we have all created our own artist rooms. In my ‘artist room’ I have spent the year exploring string installations.

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My work consists of photos of my bedroom and using the string to define space, heat and movement.The string was originally inspired by the Buddhist practise Sai Sin (Sacred White Thread Ceremony)  in which I was fascinated by how string was used to form connections between objects and people.Following from this, I explored several different string structures to form connections in my living space.  For certain photos I focused on the idea of visualising thermal radiation where string is more intense around areas that I stay the most (my pillow), which resulted in vertical lines created in depth by string. Furthermore, I looked at the significance of the objects being connected in the room, this was explored through geometrical lines to draw attention to mundane objects.

 

Throughout the project I questioned what is the relationship of your body to the objects in the bedroom?  The central theme of relationality: objects to objects, myself to object, and myself and being which are all different relationships however, some can be seen some cannot. The black and white images make the bed and objects also become structural with the string installation, however, some images show faded colour in attempt to create a calming, spiritual atmosphere. What is important is that the string connects what is essentially invisible, a felt presence. I invite you into an intimate space of my room, to explore an invisible and spiritual presence connected through white string.​

Instagram: @malako_art

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