WESTERN FRONT – The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free

Description:

While in residence at Western Front, Nigel Rolfe performed the first section of his three-part performance work The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983). In “Rope,” Rolfe slowly wound his head in a large ball of creosote-covered sisal fibre twine, a material used in traditional Irish farming. The gesture speaks to harvest and loss, reflecting on the failure of The Troubles in Ireland.

Artist Nigel Rolfe is seated under a spotlight looking downward. In his left hand is a large ball of fibrous twine. One strand from the ball is wrapped so that it flows across his face and tucks under his left ear.

In a blur of movement, Nigel Rolfe’s arm is shown holding a line of twine taught. It attaches to the large ball in his hand, while the other end becomes a bunched clump in his other fist. Thick multi strand bands of cord wrap around his forehead and mouth area.

Slightly hunched, Nigel Rolfe uses his left hand to wrap twine around his head. His face is almost completely covered in repetitive loops of twine, only his forehead and chin remain bare.

Nigel Rolfe holds a ball of twine close under his hidden chin. His face is almost entirely obscured by layers of twine, leaving only a segment of his forehead visible. His black pants are covered twine fibres.

Nigel Rolfe’s face is entirely concealed under layers of wrapped twine. The ball in his hand is overshadowed by the mass being created on his head.

Fibers of twine float in the air. Nigel Rolfe moves in a blur to wrap another layer of twine around his head.

Nigel Rolfe grasps a small ball of twine in his hand. Connected to the ball by a strand is his head, which is completely engulfed in wrapped layers of twine.

With hands clasped together, Nigel Rolfe leans forward in his chair. Layers of twine have completely masked his face and head, creating a ball-like mass.

Nigel Rolfe stares directly at the viewer. His face is lit with a harsh side light. In one hand he holds a drink and in the other he cradles the large ball of twine from his performance.

Captions:

Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Nigel Rolfe, The Rope That Binds Us Makes Them Free (1983), photo documentation, Nov 12, 1987.
Portrait of Nigel Rolfe (1987).

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Exhibition by Charles Rea

Western Front is a non-profit artist-run centre in Vancouver.

We acknowledge the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations as traditional owners of the land upon which Western Front stands.