Edwina Ashton
About Edwina Ashton
Edwina Ashton’s videos, performances and drawings create oblique and absurd concoctions of character and narrative. They explore the allure and peculiarity of eccentricity and idiosyncrasy, often through the use of insects and creatures given human attributes to ridicule the perversities of British politeness. Ashton will create one of her most ambitious works to date for Independent State. Collaborating with local naturalists and craft and drama enthusiasts, Ashton will manufacture a small army of bizarre insect costumes for performers, creating an alternative society of insects as parallel residents of Frome who will enter their own float into Carnival.
Proposal for Independent State
Ashton will create one of her most ambitious works to date for Independent State. Collaborating with local naturalists and craft and drama enthusiasts, Ashton will manufacture a small army of bizarre insect costumes for performers, creating an alternative society of insects as parallel residents of Frome who will enter their own float into Carnival.
Image courtesy of Science Museum Pictorial / Science & Society
Ashton was inspired by the coloured satirical engraving by William Heath (1795-1840), also know by his pseudonym Paul Pry, showing a lady discovering the quality of the Thames water. The top title reads: ‘Microcosm dedicated to the London Water Companies. Brought forth all monstrous, all prodigious things, hydras and organs, and chimeras dire.’ The bottom title reads: ‘Monster Soup commonly called Thames Water being a correct representation of that precious stuff doled out to us!’.
Past Work
Edwina Ashton has exhibited widely both throughout the UK and Europe. Major Solo exhibitions include The Delicious Cutlet, The Reading Room, Camden Arts Centre, London, 2006 and At Last the Postman, Peer, London, 2005. Ashton has recently been commissioned to make a new film work by Animate Projects, UK to be launched later this year. Forthcoming exhibitions include solo displays at Kolbe Museum, Berlin (2009), E.U Representation (2010), London and The Drawing Room, London (2010).
They lived together, they were the best of friends,2008. Ink, biro, watercolour on paper on wallpaper
Edwina Ashton, Pump House evening. Courtesy of the artist and WORKS|PROJECTS
Edwina Ashton, Business section. Courtesy of the artist and WORKS|PROJECTS
Edwina Ashton, Spring here waving Courtesy of the artist and WORKS|PROJECTS
