This study, by the philosopher and artist Thomas Zummer, relates to the series ‘Portraits of Robots’ where he creates drawings based on photographs of robots that date from the 1940s to the present day.
The drawings are produced rapidly beginning with a white paper ground, the application of graphite powder of different hues, and erasure. Thus the image is drawn from darkness into light.
This display was selected by Mary Doyle of Drawing Room, London, on the occasion of the exhibition Double Take: Drawing and Photography at The Photographers’ Gallery and Drawing Room.
The artwork featured as part of the Touchstone programme (2012-2020). Each display consisted of a single photographic work on the Eranda studio floor where visitors were invited to respond to the question 'What do you see?' using the cards and pencils provided. A bench was placed in front of the work, encouraging people to spend a little longer than they might usually. The programme was part of a wider series of projects and activities related to visual literacy.
A selection of audience responses to the question 'What do you see?'
Installation view of Study for a Portrait of 'Simon Ironing' © Kate Elliott
