Mark Corfield-Moore
Smaller than the ones you get here, 2021
Painted warp, handwoven cotton on canvas
162 x 112 cm
Copyright The Artist
Further images
Born in Bangkok and moving to Dorset as a child, Mark Corfield-Moore's practice combines painting with traditional Thai hand-weaving techniques, which he began studying while at the Royal Academy Schools...
Born in Bangkok and moving to Dorset as a child, Mark Corfield-Moore's practice combines painting with traditional Thai hand-weaving techniques, which he began studying while at the Royal Academy Schools and later developed further in Northeast Thailand.
Based on the 'ikat technique of resist dyeing threads before weaving, the artist's interpretation of this process involves painting directly onto the warp, or vertical threads; the loom itself then becomes a kind of filter, introducing a distinctive vertical distortion - a blurred or 'fizzy' appearance - to the imagery.
Corfield-Moore often depicts Thai spirit houses: buildings designed to placate spirits dislodged in the course of redevelopment and construction. Interspersed with these works are others depicting traditional tiered cakes familiar from festivities like birthdays or weddings. While the spirit houses are emblazoned with words like 'red Fanta', 'banana', 'rice and 'popcorn - referring to the offerings made to attract kind spirits understood to have a 'sweet tooth' and thereby keep bitter spirits at bay - the cakes are accompanied by words like 'blessings', 'wish' and song.
Based on the 'ikat technique of resist dyeing threads before weaving, the artist's interpretation of this process involves painting directly onto the warp, or vertical threads; the loom itself then becomes a kind of filter, introducing a distinctive vertical distortion - a blurred or 'fizzy' appearance - to the imagery.
Corfield-Moore often depicts Thai spirit houses: buildings designed to placate spirits dislodged in the course of redevelopment and construction. Interspersed with these works are others depicting traditional tiered cakes familiar from festivities like birthdays or weddings. While the spirit houses are emblazoned with words like 'red Fanta', 'banana', 'rice and 'popcorn - referring to the offerings made to attract kind spirits understood to have a 'sweet tooth' and thereby keep bitter spirits at bay - the cakes are accompanied by words like 'blessings', 'wish' and song.