Vicky Browne

The relationship between sound, materials and meaning is central to my work. Part of how we understand materials, objects and our world is through sound. We know the dull thud of wood before we drum our fingers on the table. For the last 10 years my practice has been speculating on how sound is embedded into materials. Materials have an audio presence regardless of their sonic output. In my work I play with this language to reveal, surprise and engage the viewer/listener to think about the way they know, name and engage with sound and materials. There are several ways I do this: Firstly, I relocate sound into unexpected places. Secondly, I often make interactive or kinetic work. Engagement with the work becomes physical, a direct engagement with themes ensues via the physical experience. Thirdly, I play with historical and cultural references, often employing outmoded domestic technologies such as the turntable. Employment of these objects reminds the viewer/listener of the mechanics of sound, of their voice, of the act of vibration which is ever present.