Joey Holder lives and works in Nottingham and London. She graduated with a BA from Kingston University in 2002 and an MFA from Goldsmiths in 2010. She has exhibited widely in the UK and abroad. Recent solo exhibitions include 'Ophiux' – currently showing at Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridge – and 'Lament of Ur' at Karst in Plymouth (w/ Viktor Timofeev). Recent group exhibitions include 'WINTER IS COMING (Homage to the future)', (part of Curated by Vienna curated by Georg Kargl),(2016); 'Deep Inside' (Russian Biennale) 5th Moscow International Biennale for Young Art (Main Project) and Deptford X, St. Nicholas Church, Deptford, London (2016). Joey's work was featured in 'Sunscreen', online and at Venice Biennale (2015) which formed part of EM15.
Describe your practice for us
I am interested in the structures and hierarchies of the technological and natural world and how these systems are constantly abstracted. Mixing elements of biology, nanotechnology and natural history against computer program interfaces, screen savers and measuring devices, I see no object or substance in any fixed state or with any permanent definition, identity or order; everything is transforming and morphing into something else; everything is a mutant and a hybrid.
Connecting forms which have emerged through our human taste, culture and industrial processes I investigate complex systems that dissolve notions of the 'natural' and the 'artificial'. GM products, virtual biology and aquatic creatures are incorporated into an extended web; challenging our perception of evolution, adaptation and change.
How long have you been practising?
I have been producing exhibitions since 2002.
What is the most interesting/inspiring thing you have seen/been to over the last month, and why?
I recently watched the film/documentary 'Into Eternity' directed by Danish director Michael Madsen. It follows the construction of the Onkalo waste repository at the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant on the island of Olkiluoto, Finland. The film questions Onkalo's intended eternal existence, addressing an audience in the remote future. The film was extremely powerful as it made me think about how short our human history is in comparison to the history of the world, but how this generation of humans have unleashed nuclear technologies which will have a massive effect long after we have gone.
Which other artists's work do you admire, and why?
Too many to name, but Iain Ball, Kari Altmann and Katja Novitskova have been very influential over the past 4 years. Their work and its presentation deals with our entanglement with technology, nature, branding and networks which are broad, complex themes that I am also tackling.
Where can people see your work?
I have a solo show, 'Ophiux', at Wysing Arts Centre in Cambridge, which continues until 20 November 2016 and my work is featured in 'A Retreat in Time' on Big Screen Southend, commissioned by Focal Point Gallery until 8 Jan 2017. My work can also be seen on my website.
Hear Joey talk about her work.
Joey was interviewed in November 2016.