Charcoal rubbing of ladder, heavily embedding its image in paper that becomes reminiscent of crumbling stone as a result of the drawing process.

Spare Room Ladder – Portrait

I made Spare Room Ladder – Portrait & Profile shortly after completing Notation 1 (Spare Room Drawing), an installation which took approximately 70 hours to complete.

During the process of making this site-specific work, the ladder that began as a tool became my companion and then an extension of my body.

At some point in the process of undertaking the task, I developed the ability to ascend and descend the ladder without the use of my vision. Through repetition, its dimensions had become embedded in my muscle memory.

To give thanks to the ladder, not only for enabling me in my task, but also for keeping me company, I felt a portrait was in order. With the use of charcoal, the weight of my body and repetitious movement, the ladder’s dimensions became embedded in the paper, just like they were in my body.

Spare Room Ladder – Portrait & Profile is a drawing, a print and a sculpture.