Statement

Rich White makes installation works about location, sense of place and the relationships that develop between people and their environment.

Key aspects of his practice are resonance and discovery. Works are informed by research of the locality, dictated by architecture and space, and through the uncovering of stories of identity, memory, place and history. These findings are used to develop work that resonates with the location and the viewer. The work also provides a sense of discovery; installations are immersive and interactive, allowing the viewer to explore the physical environment and discover new perspectives and information.

The forms the works take are often unknown at inception; beginning with site visits and research, and organically shaped by the limitations of space, material and self-imposed restrictions. White challenges himself to pragmatically develop and craft new techniques and methods as the work progresses; drawing on familiar patterns, local history and material connections. Coincidence plays a creative role in his practice; chance encounters with places, people or materials inform the development of the work, creating sculpture that responds to the varied perspectives people have of their locations and the events that shape them.

'Rich was the lead artist on Place, Space and Identity 3 produced by Creative Shift (formerly Fierce Earth) and Gemma Thomas on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent City Council. We held an open call for proposals for the project; Rich applied and was selected by a panel of arts and regeneration officers based on his practice, honesty about process and ability to talk about his work for a range of audiences. We weren't disappointed. He created Platform 4, an opportunity to stand eye to eye with Josiah Wedgwood - a fun, ironic, truthful and thoughtful interpretation of the feedback he'd gained from locals and visitors to the area.'

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Influence

Francis Alÿs ⋅ Phyllida Barlow ⋅ Joseph Beuys ⋅ Louise Bourgeois ⋅ Christo and Jeanne-Claude ⋅ Celine Condorelli ⋅ Thomas Demand  ⋅ Olafur Eliasson ⋅ Rebecca Horn ⋅ Anselm Kiefer ⋅ Bruce Nauman ⋅ Doris Salcedo ⋅ Helmut Smits ⋅ Monika Sosnowska ⋅ Richard Wilson ⋅ Erwin Wurm