Thicker Than Blood is an installation that comprises video projection, sound and hand-written notes exploring the Stanford family’s relationships. The imagery used in the projection is made up of long close ups and video portraits, exploring the character of Ellen Stanford, the lady of the house. The lengths of the shots are deliberately long and intimate, breaking the strict etiquette and boundaries of the Edwardian era. The accompanying soundtrack references how Preston Manor has been preserved as a museum but also alludes to the apparent lack of sentiment between its former residents.

The letters seen in the projection and around the house are written in copperplate handwriting. They offer startling glimpses of the opinions of residents of the manor that could not be spoken face to face, but might be expressed in a note.

I am an installation artist working across video, sound and sculpture. In Thicker Than Blood, my second collaboration with performer Nicola Keith, I continue to explore the theme of creating focus and stillness by magnifying moments that are usually ignored. This work marks a shift in my current practice from observing nature and reframing it to choreographed portraiture in order to reframe emotions.