Corban Walker’s exhibition Resist reflects his interest in global politics while also navigating his surroundings with reduced mobility
How do you describe your work?
The installations, sculptures and drawings I make relate to perceptions of scale and architectural constructs. My specific philosophies of scale are fundamental to how I intend the work to be a catalyst for the viewer to re-examine how they conceptualise, navigate, and interact with their surroundings.
I am navigating a “conditioned” world from a conditioned stature (Achondroplasia) and from a height of 129 centimetres, and I try to bring a re-evaluation of scale to a wider audience, in an installation or sculpture. I combine an organisation of rules with my physical orientation.
Contrasting my experience, with other people’s belief in what is considered a ‘correct proportion and measure’, through a minimalist approach, I aim to introduce new ideas to that conversation. I convey a perception of scale, known as “corbanscale”.
What or who was influential to your artistic journey?
Land Art from the 1960’s; minimalism, modernist architecture and general observations. Not necessarily in that order.
Your new exhibition explores scale and architectural constructs – what was the starting point?
This is my 27th solo show in over 30 years working as a visual artist. One show usually picks up from where the previous one ends. In this case, it feels like I have released a lot of control over the outcome, which was quite terrifying to be honest. It started with “Untitled (Baby Annihilation)” as a I was trying to comprehend the unfolding horrific genocide in Gaza. From there, I grappled to make a coherent path into a body of work.
What is the underlying symbolism of the works?
Awareness, perhaps. Myself in a world that had been mapped out to accommodate a different body and scale to mine. Can the viewer understand the language of a whole community who are denied access or inclusion, to the world most other people enjoy. The work tends to be quite precarious which is exactly how I feel my nature has become.
What do you hope visitors will take away from this exhibition?
I hope they will take away the work. Ireland has a very small art market that needs to be nurtured. Art is something that only increases in value over time. It’s also very good for your health and wellbeing to be surrounded by art that inspires you.
Need to Know: Corban’s exhibition “Resist” is at Solomon Fine Art, Balfe Street, Dublin 2. He recently participated in Dublin Gallery Weekend when he discussed his work, the climate crisis, disability and the genocide in Gaza. His exhibition runs until Thursday, November 20, thereafter his work will be part of the Winter Group Show which runs until December 23; www.solomonfineart.ie. @corban_walker
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