Josh Lake

Polysword (2016)
Heating Elements, EPS
Exhibited at Trial & Error, Wolff Olins, London, 2016

Heating elements are reformed as hand-tools to melt polystyrene blocks into furniture-like shapes. With each memory of movement captured, the ‘Polysword’ freely allows one to extrude and carve outcomes in minutes.

The Polysword converts electricity into heat through resistive heating. Each Polysword operates at 13 amps, 240 volts, 3120 watts, and temperatures can reach above 700°C. A thermocouple and controller are used to maintain constant temperature, the expanded polystyrene has a density of 22g/ltr.

The heating elements were manufactured by Elmatic, Cardiff, UK.

Polysword (2016), 7mm SQ7 heating element, 13 amps, 240 volts, 3120 watts

Polysword (2016), Chair 1, 39” x 19” x 21”

Polysword (2016), Table 1, urethane, 14” x 30” x 13”

Polysword (2016), sheath-wire element, 8mm od incoloy, 13 amps, 240 volts, 3120 watts

Polysword (2016), Chair 2, 30” x 53” x 17”

Polysword (2016), Chair 3, 30” x 67” x 17”

Polysword (2016), Chair 1, urethane, 30” x 18” x 17"

Make-Up (2016)
MDF, Two-Tone Gloss Paint
Exhibited at Trial & Error, Wolff Olins, London 2016

An unglamorous construction material becomes the centre of attention.

Make-Up (2016), Chair, 48” x 14” x 16”

Make-Up (2016), Tables

Make-Up (2016), Collection

Make-Up (2016), detail

Make-Up (2016), Table, 14" x 36" x 36"

Drive-By (2016)
Tinted car window glass, steel pedestal
Exhibited at Trial & Error, Wolff Olins, London, 2016

The narcissistic use of viewing ones own reflection in car windows inspired this series of mirrors.

Drive-By (2016), T3 VW windshield, 60” x 28”

Drive-By (2016), Mk3 Ford Fiesta, 18” x 7.5”

Drive-By (2016), Mk3 Vauxhall Astra, 16” x 9”

Cedar (2016)
Cedar
Exhibited at Trial & Error, Wolff Olins, London, 2016

A self-supporting cedar bench, capable of seating nine.

Cedar (2016), 20” x 168” x 12”

Cedar (2016)

Cedar (2016), underside

Children's Chairs (2013)

A class of 7-8 year olds drew their version of a chair, and we made them into reality. In collaboration with Jack Beveridge.

Children's Chairs (2013)

Inside Out (2012)
Triptych, Edition of 5, Kodak Professional Metallic Paper
Exhibiting at Saatchi Gallery, London, UK

I turn myself inside out – by eating 35mm photographic film. The bumps, scratches and marks left on the damaged emulsion were examined through a scanning electron microscope. In collaboration with Luke Evans.

Inside Out (2012), Inside Out I, 72" x 48"

Inside Out (2012), Inside Out II, 72" x 48"

Inside Out (2012), Inside Out III, 72" x 48"

Fabric (2020)
Handheld scanner, various dimensions
SALT, Oslo, Norway

I scanned shirts from Kaarina Kaikkonens' installation 'We Are Still The Same' using a handheld scanner. These scans were made during the disassembly of the installation as part of a project to reinterpret the work.

Fabric (2020)