Since 1984, I have explored the potential of using algorithms based upon observations of the social behaviours of humans and other animals and other natural phenomena, like plant growth, to generate shapes and forms, images, animations and interactive works that are aesthetically engaging.

The first Smallworld programs were developed whilst Artist in Residence at the Computing Laboratory of the University of Kent at Canterbury (UKC). The residency was sponsored by The Arts Council and South East Arts.

A condition of the residency was that it should end with an exhibition. The exhibition in the Gulbenkain Theatre Gallery in 1985 coincided with the university’s celebration of its first twenty years and showed examples of the different types of work I had been creating.

As well as being shown in Canterbury, the work was also shown in London as a featured exhibit at the Olympia Draughting, Design and Graphics Exhibition and in Birmingham at the Ikon Gallery. Individual pieces have since been exhibited elsewhere, including London and China and several are in public and private collections.

THE UKC EXHIBITION

A selection of articles and posters that were produced during and immediately after the residency at the University of Kent at Canterbury from 1984-85