Happiness and its Longevity
Cameron Lings
Stained Pine Sculpture
2021
A study conducted in 2013, questioned individuals from different age ranges on their opinions towards life. Topics including Happiness, Satisfaction, Optimism and Joy were discussed among the participants. The findings, mapped a curved graph, titled the 'happiness U-shape', depicting levels of happiness throughout the lifetime of an average person, between the ages of 16-70. Starting at a high, we find we are most satisfied with or lives in our early 20's, before peaking once more in our 60's - our lowest point is projected in our 40's.
It is this graph that generates the form, shape and structure of the wall-mounted sculpture.
Although not a path set-in-stone for every individual, these findings highlight how as a differing generational community, we can relate to the pattern of emotional, financial and circumstantial highs-and-lows throughout our lifetime.
Cameron Lings is a Contemporary Artist and Sculptor based in the UK, whose practice consists of generating three-dimensional form from bodies of data-sets and statistics. Through a systematic and research-based approach, his creations realize themselves as functioning sources of information - despite their initial abstract traits. Lings utilizes variants of scale, shape and material choice throughout his works, in order to enhance their relevance to both a subject and site.
“My current work tends to ironically create itself, and in a way, already exists - only in a non-artistic language. I have found that my place within my present practice, is to translate what already exists into a format, which not only results in an intriguing piece of artwork, but as bridge between the gaps of science, mathematics and contemporary art."
Instagram: @cameron_lings_
