NARRA / THE READING ROOM

The Reading Room

Six perspectives for looking more slowly. Each reading connects to the collection. Choose a material that interests you and begin with a new question.

Begin with a material or an object that catches your eye, then follow the stories that connect them.

An original digital illustration of morning vessel, with ceramic inspired surfaces, clearly defined forms and a warm neutral ground. This is a fictional visual study, not a photograph of a physical artefact.

Ceramic / 3 OBJECTS

Vessels, spaces and the traces of use ↗

Begin by looking inside a form. A vessel invites attention to more than its outer surface: it asks us to notice the space it encloses.

An original digital illustration of light on the river, with glass inspired surfaces, clearly defined forms and a warm neutral ground. This is a fictional visual study, not a photograph of a physical artefact.

Glass / 2 OBJECTS

Reading light through edges and shadows ↗

An impression of transparency can begin in the darkest part of an image. Follow an overlapping edge, then return to the whole form.

An original digital illustration of a place for small things, with wood inspired surfaces, clearly defined forms and a warm neutral ground. This is a fictional visual study, not a photograph of a physical artefact.

Wood / 4 OBJECTS

Forms that invite an imagined touch ↗

How do we imagine weight and touch without handling an object? Begin with a base, a curve and the gestures suggested by the form.

An original digital illustration of folded pause, with metal inspired surfaces, clearly defined forms and a warm neutral ground. This is a fictional visual study, not a photograph of a physical artefact.

Metal / 3 OBJECTS

Folds, edges and a moment of pause ↗

Rather than beginning with an idea of hardness, look at the two sides suggested by a fold. An inside and an outside may tell different stories.

An original digital illustration of map of pauses, with paper inspired surfaces, clearly defined forms and a warm neutral ground. This is a fictional visual study, not a photograph of a physical artefact.

Paper / 6 OBJECTS

Reading an image without words ↗

Lines, spaces and colour planes can suggest a sequence, almost like a sentence. Try reading an image from an unfamiliar direction.

An original digital illustration of remembering cloth, with textile inspired surfaces, clearly defined forms and a warm neutral ground. This is a fictional visual study, not a photograph of a physical artefact.

Textile / 6 OBJECTS

From a single line to a field of rhythm ↗

Look closely for a line, then step back to read a field. Notice where a repeated pattern begins to change in your perception.