Portfolio > Small Town

Interior
Egg Tempera on wood panel
29 x 21 cm
2012
Desirable Location
Egg Tempera on wood panel
29 x 21 cm
2014
Amenity
Egg Tempera on wood panel
21 x 29 cm
2012
Compartmentalise 1
Egg Tempera on wood panel
21 x 29 cm
2012
Exterior
Egg Tempera on wood panel
29 x 21 cm
2013
Compartmentalise 2
Oil on canvas
90 x 120 cm
2014

This series explores the intoxicating allure of miniature spaces and objects, which possibly underlies consumerist and escapist activity on the part of the collector. Yet, when interviewing enthusiasts at miniature trade fairs, I discovered that this activity can enhance the creative potential of the collector.

It's not unusual for collectors to operate 50 separate dolls houses in real time. Enthusiasts often link inhabitants and homes historically or geographically, creating characters, storylines and hand-made items or props themselves.

Linked by a common desire for creative escapism or play, the majority of visitors to miniature trade fairs are women aged over 60. Many enthusiasts are wheelchair-bound. An eccentric exception is a heavily guarded, combat attired Middle-Eastern leader, well known to industry traders.