Mezzanine, Artspace
Auckland | November 2013 – February 2014

Digital Publication available from this link.

In a recent conversation with a friend I asked her whether she had ever stolen anything as a youngster. For my part, I do have a memory of standing in the dairy on Vauxhall Road thinking about stealing something while the proprietor was busy (after being dared to by my older brother), but I didn’t, I chickened out.

I boldly claimed to my friend that I was such a geek I had never stolen so much as a lolly.

Not long after, though, I found a few pieces of detritus my studio research boxes, the first of which put a lie to my words.

When I was at school in Form Two, I stole an A4 pen and ink drawing of a fish off the art-room wall.  I'm fairly sure a Form One student drew it.  Even though afterwards the teachers discussed the theft with us, I never owned up to my pilfering.

In Keeping Secrets and Stealing Things I catalogue my accumulation of discomfort; displaying (mis)appropriated detritus and recounting the events that led to their acquisition.  The work is revealed in weekly chapters, chronicled in a series of hand-bound books.

Photos by Yoon Tae Kim

Digital Publication designed by Khye Hitchcock

Click here to view on Artspace's website