Cornelia Parker

I again thoroughly enjoyed Cornelia Parker's visiting lecture, and made a point this time round of asking a question and speaking to her afterwards. In particular I was curious whether she sets out to make work or whether it just happens in the way that Simon Fujiwara described in his seminar. Parker spoke about how she leaves some works for years before acting on them, some she seeks out herself, some are made especially for commissions and others are made in response to chance encounters and things she passes in the street.

I was really interested in her 'War Room' installation, the tent made of the used poppy cut outs material. I asked whether this work was made particularly for the WW1 Centenary, and she said she had been wanting to use the material for years but hadn't yet had the chance. I really like to hear from visiting artists about how they make work as well as the work itself - it is always insightful and reassuring to hear how successful artists conduct their practice. I also have works stored away which I plan to come back to one day.

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