Pounds of Happiness reflects a new interest in ambition, inspired by research on optimism and pessimism, and observations of Mancunian temperments. The artist considered how modest ambitions—in life, and in works of art—may exhibit unexpected value.

Pounds of Happiness highlights modest pleasures available in daily life. In contrast with the artist’s previous view tying pessimism with mundanity and optimism with transcendence, this project suggests that optimism can and should exist in the mundane. Free of class ambitions, the works are a celebration of visual pleasure and a cheap and cheerful aesthetic.

The installation is a collection of works of modest ambitions—small moments of pleasure. The simple gestures draw visual connections, make curious recursions, and declare unwarranted exuberance.

The conveyor belt displays a drawing of pound store products drawn with pound store materials.

Produced in the Breathe Residency at Chinese Arts Centre.
Learn more about my residency findings and projects:

Images

• Pounds of Happiness (installation), 2009, mixed media, pound shop items, 8 x 8 x 5 feet / 2.4 x 2.4 x 1.5 m

• detail: A Great Depression, neon posterboard, found poster, tape, mini flash, glue, found chimes. 23 x 30 inches / 58 x 76 cm
• detail: socks, wood, 16 x 21.5 x 1.75 inches / 41 x 55 x 4.5 cm
• detail: found jar of gold bricks, found garden spinner, 21 x 13 x 3.5 inches / 53 x 33 x 9 cm
• detail: found snow globe, acetate, 3 x 4 x 3 inches / 7.6 x 10 cm
• detail: Recursion, laser print, found frame, 7 x 9 x 0.5 inches / 18 x 23 x 1.5 cm
• detail: Found Word Art, digital photographs, digital photo frame, 9 x 6.25 x 4.5 inches / 23 x 16 x 11 cm
• detail: found LED fans, mirror foil paper, electrical components, 39 x 6.25 x 1.25 inches / 99 x 16 x 3 cm
• detail
• detail: potted plants, found garden spinners, mirror foil paper, wood, 25 x 39 x 22 inches / 63.5 x 99 x 56 cm

• Pounds of Happiness (installation), 2009, found paper plate, found frame, modified solar powered light, wood, paper, plastic, 58 x 65 x 2 inches / 147 x 165 x 5 cm

• detail
• detail
• Pounds of Happiness (conveyor belt), 2009, paper, neon gel pens, glitter pens, wood, motor, table, 48 x 34 x 24 inches / 122 x 86 x 61 cm
• detail