Cael Gilmour

Guided by the ascetic traditions of various communities, individuals, and intellectuals, my practice delves into the intersection of aesthetics and Western religion, focusing on themes of seclusion, labour, and piety. Central to my practice is the exploration of how architecture engages with these concerns, leading me to use installation methods that emphasise built space. My work often features monastic and ascetic living modes—both communal and solitary—which structure my installations. I create sculptural objects using inexpensive, readily available materials that reflect the austerity of ascetic life and the distinctive visual language of secluded spaces like monasteries, anchorite cells, and hermitages. Additionally, I employ specific visual motifs and intuitive approaches to image-making to explore the interplay between the psychic, interior conditions of religious or secular seclusion and their external contexts. Through this approach, I aim to uncover and reflect upon the complex relationships between these environments and their impact on personal and collective experiences of isolation and devotion.