Abstract

Sam Lucas Sam creates ambiguous figurative objects predominantly in clay. Her creative practice draws on her experience of being a neurodivergent woman today, by exploring aspects of her own unique neurotype. The visceral glaze exploration pieces were the precursor to the final forms for her body of work called ‘Strange stranger’ where she is exploring the weight and awkwardness of being in the body, the pain this alienation can cause, and ironically the beauty and humour that results from this diversity. The surfaces of the pieces were attempting to describe the interoceptive, exteroceptive and alexithymic confusion that can occur at times with incongruent sensory experiences. The skin qualities are of skin crawling, goosepimples and sweaty and clammy skin, as a bodily visceral responses to overwhelming social experiences. These objects may make you stop and stare, out of curiosity and inquisitiveness. You might be slightly confused, bemused, unnerved, and perhaps disturbed by their uncanny nature and relentless resistance to conform. Sam creates objects that are more about being than being seen. They are frozen moments in time and the position of the work is unfixed, both grasping out at the world and bound to itself, caught as if in a game of ‘cat and mouse' yet with nowhere to hide from the inevitable and perpetual anxiety, only the humour can save you.