Lucy Gunning’s new installation for Matt’s Gallery explores the artist’s continuing interest in the voice, established in earlier pieces such as The Horse Impressionists and The Singing Lesson.

In the new work the artist addresses the uncertainties of communication, populating the gallery with a group of hesitant voices that fight against themselves as they emerge from five old monitors placed on pieces of furniture scattered throughout the exhibition space and the gallery lobby.

Fragments of speech pull the viewer around the space, frustrating their ability to easily capture all the speakers or what they say. Continually confronted with pauses and fractures in the videos, the piece is as much about what is missed as what is seen.

As the viewer moves from one speaker to another, they become gradually aware of a state of knowingness - the voices conscious of their punctured delivery and aware of the fact that they are being scrutinised. Reiteration prompts awareness of the glitches and interruptions in their delivery rather than the content of the snippets of conversation, which can either appear banal or out of context.

Supported by a shortlist award from the Visual Arts Category of The Prudential Award for The Arts. Video editing facilities sponsored by Diva Pictures Ltd.