Thoughts on Tim Hawkinson's work

I read Tim Hawkinson's biography before I watch a couple of his clips of his work. I feel by doing so helped to prepare me for his work and his style. My first thoughts when reading his biography was that I was expecting his work to seem freaky, certainly out of the ordinary, but knew that it was him and his own style and no one else. At first when I read that he made a bird out of his own fingernail clippings, I was like gross, but at the same time that it would draw an audience in just for at least curiousity if nothing else and that people would be intrigued.

When I saw the clips of his work it actually was interesting and different. When I saw the clip of "Emotor" I was more draw in by the process of his work and his thoughts of using himself as his subject matter. He made great points of why he uses himself as a subject matter instead of other people . . . he said "I have the rights to my own body," this allows him to do whatever he do so chooses. Using himself he certainly would not have to worry about any law suits or disrespecting anyone else because of his artwork and what he may have or have not done to it. As for the clip "Drip," I found it to really cool! I looked like it was somewhat difficult to make and seemed very technical. I'm sure audiences could tell that hard work and thought had to go into making such a complex piece of art. It really did sound like music, as if a person were beating on some drums almost. He has some interesting work that seems to aim also toward being audience friendly, as if he has them in mind in making his works.