The essence: Formationism: The creation of form through the artistic practice of sharing equal focus upon the physical and the conceptual elements of the creative process. An equal balance of these two elements is combined to create artwork where both elements are essential in their relationship to the work created. In a Formationist piece of work one cannot exist without the other, physical process or the concept. The final product is a reflection of the journey in which the art is made, containing both elements in essentiality.
The movement: The Formationist movement, highlights the essential parts that production, craftsmanship, concept and ‘formation’ play in essentiality in the creative process. A natural progression to Conceptualism and Process based work. Formationism focuses equally on both the strength of concept and physical process of creation of an artwork. In an age where Conceptualism has reigned in the art world for several decades, and process based work is often viewed simply as a conversation of mediums, the essence of being able to physically create an idea as well as conceptualise one, and the effects of that physical focus on the creative process in turn develops work in different directions on a physical not just an esoteric level.
The Purpose Concept is required to engage in a vision that is authentic and meaningful. The magic entices you into the artwork and then the substance gives longevity and relates directly to the human condition. Has to be as intellectually revealed as sensory revealed. An address of the human condition is the thing that is present in all Formationist work. A recognition of human needs, questions and issues and a belief that art should aim to make a genuine connection through both the medium and the content.