ALASTAIR MacKinven, who has shovelled dirt, got naked and glued his hand to the floor all in the name of art, is exhibiting his work at the Focal Point Gallery, Southend, from Saturday.
A series of five films documenting the artist’s work – Performances 2006 to 2009 – will be shown at the venue in Southend Central Library, until April 25.
Alastair’s projects have centred around an obsession with the body’s limits.
Beginning small by transferring a pile of earth from one lawn to another for one short film, he then went on to embed a large pipe into the earth, undress then pass naked through it, wrapping himself in a silver blanket like a newborn child.
On one of his most recent outings, Alastair glued his hand to the floor of a Camden gallery to see how long it would take anyone to ask him if he needed help.
Issues such as institutional care, trust, vulnerability, violation and shame are all relevant to his work.
Alastair, 37, who was born in the Wirral, but now lives in London, will be attending the exhibition on Thursday, April 23. For more information, call 01702 534108.
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