- Title: Laurel Woodcock
Contributors: Laurel Woodcock
Date: 2012
Publisher: University of Waterloo Art Gallery
Format: Hardcover artists' book
Size: 110.25 x 8.25 inches, 108 pages
Description:
This title is a thorough review of more than ten years of artistic practice from the compelling and playful Laurel Woodcock. This mid-career survey of interdisciplinary artworks by the Toronto-based artist forms a snapshot of her use, and purposeful misuse, of language and ideas. Woodcock’s work effortlessly incorporates a broad range of media, from video to installation to fabrication, and involves the juxtaposition of meanings.
Language is more than inspiration for the artist: it is raw material, awaiting manipulation and reinterpretation. Woodcock explores the ability of common language to become layered with multiple and unexpected meanings. Woodcock’s sophisticated understanding of semantics is in full display with works like untitled (playlist for Bas Jan Ader), a carefully curated list of song titles refined down to a compelling syntax, and two love songs, an emotional play on words where one line of flashing text alternates between two titles that share the words without sharing the sentiment.