A common theme in Mark Maxwell's work is the transformation of materials and their intrinsic physical qualities and characteristics, which are hidden to the human eye. His practice encompasses several mediums including mixed-media installations, videoworks and paintings. Recent video installations involve the transformation of metals using the technique of electrolysis, a process first explored by the artist in 1995. Reactions often unseen under normal practices are made visible to the eye with the accurate positioning of video cameras. One video installation entitled 'Element' revealed a collision between the microcosm and the macrocosm where scale and physical constraints no longer applied.
Church installations involve taking common found materials specific to the site (in a recent project - candle wax) and the manipulation of huge quantities of this material into a new responsive sculpture – 'Atonement'. Also the unlikely combination of wax slabs and warm light tubes coupled together, should display a state of meltdown; however a state of equilibrium was reached with neither component conceding in a light sculpture entitled 'Meter'.
His paintings are influenced directly from his video experiments; oil paints and metal leaf are randomly arranged and gilded on to aluminium panels.
The appearances of the artworks seemingly in a state of flux evoke abstract landscapes undergoing a chemical patination.
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