ARTIST AT WORK

No.51 Izzie Jobbins, The Birthday Cake

My work explores memories and childhood and is inspired by humour. I have an interest in archiving the personal, particularly universal, experiences through different artistic processes. I often use papier-mâché and model-making techniques to create sculptures inspired by family anecdotes. These sculptures become remnants of these stories. I adapt the objects so that they are irrational and ridiculous in their forms, especially in their size. I use my sculptures with audio pieces in installations that reflect the stories and memories they are based on. Through my practice, I want to create my own archive of recollections and anecdotes that I can share with the audience. In other work, I have gathered memories and stories from communities to create installations and walking tours.

The Birthday Cake is inspired by children’s birthday parties and imagination. Family-favourite cake recipes are used repeatedly throughout childhood. This cake has expanded and changed, taking on a new form, just as family anecdotes are embellished over time. It has grown with the family itself. The piece is made from papier-mâché, utilising a child’s craft. The size is also reminiscent of a time when everything felt larger than life. The Birthday Cake recreates an impossible cake from a child’s imagination. Our distorted recollection of childhood memories makes them seem better than they ever were in reality.

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