I work across various media, exploring both still and moving image. I work with digital film, alternative photographic processes and lens less photography. I have a particular interest in photographic and film sequencing and the concept of storytelling. This has recently led me to develop my work into artist books, producing limited edition hand made books and small-run publications.
Through the lens I explore memories and experiences, concentrating on the maternal line and focussing on the domestic as ritualistic, the relationship between mother and daughter, considering legacy and inheritance.
My work archives the ‘home’ and experiences of the home. It explores perceptions around women’s performance of daily rituals as part of defending territory and securing continuum of the female line. The process I use to create my work is a concentrated and systematic survey reliant on random reflections and thoughts as much as disciplined observation. The method of mapping in some of my work acts as not only memorial to my (the artists) history, but a guide for ‘journeys’ to be considered/taken by the viewer.
Much of my work concentrates on an awareness of the ‘edges’ of space, the separation of inside and out, private and public. I use both windows and mirrors to expand the boundaries and at the same time make the viewer ever conscious of containment and confinement. The geography of the space I work in is often understood by what is outside or reflected back making sense of what is inside; engaging the viewer into an understanding of self through personal experience and public projection.
Resume
My name is Jacqueline Butler, I currently live and work in Manchester and was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
I studied film production at degree level and have lectured at university level for many years at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
I am currently Programme Leader on MA Photography at Manchester Metropolitan University. Since 2004 I have been a member of Righton Press, a research group based at MMU. The Righton Press produces limited edition hand made books and small run publications. The groups work explores the potential of new technologies to present narratives that expand the possibilities of the book form.
In 2004 and 2005 the group exhibited in LAB (London Artist Bookfair). In 2005 exhibiting at Korean Artist Bookfair in Seoul and the Small Publishers Fair in London. Durning Spring/Summer 2006 an exhibition of handmade books will tour Philedelphia, Costa Rica and Mexico City. My books are held in public collections in Korea, Winchester Art School and Manchester Metropolitan University Special Collections.
In 2005 I became the Vice-Chair of APHE after taking part in organising the associations annual conference. To coincide with the conference I organised and jointly curated Sex, Death and Flat Pack Furniture; an exhibition of work by a number of academics and researchers from MMU, Glasgow School of Art and Sheffield Hallam University.
My digital films have recently been how at the Manchester Film Festival in 2004 and Intermix 05, as part of Leeds Film Festival in 2005.
In September 2006 I will be exhibiting in Uneasy Space, an exhibition showcasing a selection of UK academics at 80 Washington Square East Galleries, New York, USA.
