artist

the importance of being

This piece features a ‘found’ fly and the carpet that was such a prominent feature in a temporary space I had access to. I felt strangely attached to the fly which I possibly kept for too long as eventually some creepy larvae took over its body and ate it from the inside out. However, while it was still intact I created this response to it. In retrospect this piece was very much inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem I heard a fly buzz. I wouldn’t mind if this piece made you leave the room.


I heard a fly buzz (No. 465) by Emily Dickinson 
I heard a Fly buzz – when I died –
The Stillness in the Room
Was like the Stillness in the Air –
Between the Heaves of Storm – 

The Eyes around – had wrung them dry –
And Breaths were gathering firm
For that last Onset – when the King
Be witnessed – in the Room –  

I willed my Keepsakes – Signed away
What portions of me be
Assignable – and then it was
There interposed a Fly –  

With Blue – uncertain stumbling Buzz –
Between the light – and me –
And then the Windows failed – and then
I could not see to see –