Griffi has a multidisciplinary approach to work exploring areas of neuroscience, physics, psychology, philosophy, semiotics and cultural studies. The work is usually intricate and complex, automatically and systematically made, posing subliminal questions and producing sub textual messages.
Griffi collects found objects, from old to new and from shiny to dirty. Each new piece often starts with Griffi rummaging through an array of reclaimed materials such as screws, nails, kitchen utensils and other building paraphernalia, some of which have been donated from local people and building sites. Having recently finished a residency at Studio 3 Arts in Barking, which ended with a first solo exhibition, Griffi has been working with local art organisations like Green Shoes Arts and Studio 3 Arts.
For the Artist Development Residency, Griffi has developed ways of making and experimenting with new materials including welding, concepts and installation.
During the summer, The White House has been Griffi’s studio. While still exploring the question of how might archaic, mythological and nefarious ritual practices manifest, through the prism of modernity had (as many may contend) adherence to those practices not ceased in antiquity. Revisiting old works whilst making new ones and delving deeper into the ‘rabbit hole’ Griffi continues a journey of research into the unknown producing more chaotic and ordered, repellent, intricate and sometimes mesmerising work.
A conversation with Griffi
Griffi: I like to place, move and replace the objects; it feels like a game, a long game that is fun in parts, but then brutal and frustrating in others.
Anonymous: How does the game end? And who wins?
G: The game never ends; it just pauses and then resumes when I start another piece of work.
A: The work reminds me of a futuristic cityscape and has a dystopia feel to it with a sense of violation towards the viewer. Was this intended?
G: That’s interesting, what makes you ask that?
A: I wanted to know if you intended to have that type of impact on the viewer.
G: Impact is always a good sign that one is beginning to at least think about the emotional response and impact ones work has on others. I also like the word ‘intention’ but I have learned that intention is not always achieved and that half way through the game I have realised that I no longer need to win, it is about understanding how to play the game.
