Cryptocephalus

A exhibition catalogue essay on the work of Artist Nicola Donovan.The essay was the result of a number of studio visits and interviews with the Artist as she worked on a research project at Bletchley Park, home in WW2 to the Enigma code breakers. The essay drew on references to Benjamin and Baudelaire, and proposed the notion of touch as a way to ‘know the world.’ Ideas around collections and the narrative of objects were held up against Donovan’s almost theatrical methodologies and the ways in which she de and re constructs her objects. The essay touched on the semiotics of her extensive material language, and drew the reader through a series of conceptual networks related to this. Etymology was bought in to play to both drive and support the ideas presented in the essay. To accomnpany the exhibition entitled 'Cryptocephalus' at the Whitewall Gallery in Milton Keynes from 15 November to 11 January 2009. The exhibition received sponsorship from John Lewis who provided the gallery space and contributed financially to the costs of the exhibition.Published by Jnsculpture, ISBN-10: 0955773768. ISBN-13: 978-095577376