The Sidcup-based chartered accountants are helping to spark a different kind of ‘chemistry’ in the boardroom.
STARTING out as an artist is a tough gig. The challenge in finding somewhere to showcase your work and establishing a space for honest feedback is evidence of this. Where does one even begin?
Well, step forward McBrides Chartered Accountants.
In 2018, McBrides launched its ‘Boardroom Art Project’, a way to provide a free space for artists to help them publicise their work. Ever since then it has opened its doors to several up-and-coming artists for six months a year.
This time around the Sidcup-based firm has selected an artist who explores the relationship between everyday chemicals and their reactions with metals to take up their innovative project.
The new series of artworks unveiled at McBrides this week is ground-breaking in that the artist has no idea what the outcome will be at the start of the process.
Tamsin Corrigan, 27, from Oxford, explains: “The artworks are very chance-based, they are created by alchemic reactions that I don’t have any control over so I can’t say how the work is going to end up looking.”
During her tenure at Loughborough University where she studied Fine Art and Ceramics, Tamsin was intrigued by the chance-based aesthetics of the chemical reactions that occurred following the Raku firing of her ceramic works. She decided that the process itself, rather than the ceramics, was the really intriguing part. Tamsin went on to develop processes using household chemicals and recycled metals to create works which literally decay and change in the exhibition space.
Tamsin uses everyday chemicals and mixes them in a paddling pool in her garden. She said: “In the paddling pool I use chemicals that work with PH balance – red wine and white wine vinegar, weed killer, ammonia – household-based things, to show reactions that can happen in the every day.”
The exhibition at McBrides offices follows a successful exhibition in Middlesborough, which saw Tamsin’s pieces decay and change over the two-week exhibition period.
Tanya Hamilton, the staff partner at McBrides and driving force behind the Boardroom Art project said: “It’s great to provide space and support to young artists.
“Tamsin is currently studying for her MRes in Art Theory and Philosophy at Central St Martin’s and the exhibition space at McBrides is a great opportunity for her to obtain feedback and hopefully sell some of her work.”
On being given the opportunity, Tamsin said: “I work in an office as well as studying so it’s really nice to have my work seen and have feedback from different people.”
The work at McBrides will not decay or deteriorate as the canvases haven’t been soaked in vinegar or ammonia.
Tamsin’s work will be on show and for sale in the boardroom at McBrides until the end of June this year.
You can learn more about Tamsin’s work in the video below.
Thanks for reading one of our positive stories!
We live for good news! Like what we do? Feel free to buy us a coffee to help keep us going and to stay ad-free – only if you want to, we honestly just appreciate you being here!
Want to know more about what we do? Got a positive story or unsung hero you’re desperate to be celebrated? Don’t be afraid to get in touch, we love sharing as much good news as we possibly can! Have a lovely day! 🙂