Ian Phillips McLaren’s practice combines contemporary and 19th century photographic processes, using a versatility both in camera and print making techniques to achieve his results. From Chinese plastic cameras, large format to pinhole, traditional film negatives, paper negatives, digital negatives and hand-made papers and home made emulsions.

Ian’s latest project utilises projections, audio, performance and video to explore self-portraiture in the context of Jung’s four main archetypes Anima/Animus, Shadow, Persona and Self. By moving his images away from the gallery wall onto the surface of handmade effigies he’s creating multi-sensory video sculptures.

Pirum

Pirum Aka the humble pear; The pear has a multiplicity of meanings and has been used in art as a symbol as far back as the Romans on the walls of Pompeii. Gothic and Early Renaissance painters used the pear to represent marital faith but it also symbolized inner peace. In some cultures it symbolizes affection. In christian contexts the pear symbolizes the Virgin and Child, probably because of it’s sweetness. It also bestows wisdom and health. The pear in contemporary art can have different meanings, i.e. transitory and momentary. Consuming seasonal pears has benefits for your health, the environment and sustainable development, because the pear is grown in the UK then there are no air miles!