Mark Hicken, The World I see, 2017
Mark Hicken uses collage, sculpture, video and performance explore the cultural discussions surrounding the ‘crisis of masculinity’.
'Due to previous exploration into form and shape I began to look at myself as though I were an object. Concluding I was delicate and fragile, I realised that this image did not align with the body my society prescribes for a 22-year-old male. Through the objectification of myself I wondered if masculinity was itself something tangible. Is the masculine standard objective and physical? If my machismo is entangled in my physical, then it stands to reason that I am not a masculine man. The question then becomes- to what extent should I be content with this. Marrying new and found materials I play on the archetype of the builder, and test the boundaries between craftsmen, artist and labourer.
Recent exhibitions include
Juncture, CSAD, 2018,
Rattrap 3, Cathays Cons Club, Cardiff 2017 ,
UNIT(E) WIV Half Term Show G39, 2017. Mark has recently undertaken a residency at the Sidney Nolan Trust 2017.
The artist was in the following exhibitions: Sightseers RAT TRAP x g39 Links :www.markhicken.co.uk