Dum spiro spero
James Ward’s current work is informed by the experience of wakening up unable to breathe, a result of a virus known as Croup. He was cured through the breathing in of steam which lead him to experiment with this immaterial medium. The projection of both stills and video on to steam leads to not only a constantly changing performative image but the creation of a humid steam environment challenging the viewer as they observation and physically interact with the work. The fleeting nature of these images and the ease at which they can be affected by subtle movements of invisible forces is one of its greatest strengths creating much of the poetics of the work. The aim of these works is to place the viewer in the middle of a relationship between the breathing cycles of the two pieces and for them to be guided through the space via video and sound.
James Ward
