Only the First Step is Difficult

Location

Country: USA
City: Washington DC
Place: British Embassy

Magpie-like, Mark Titchner’s work, Only the First Step is Difficult, borrows text from poetry, philosophy and popular culture. The title derives from a quote by the French literary hostess, Marie du Deffand (1697–1780): ‘The distance doesn’t matter; it is only the first step that is most difficult’. She referenced St Denis, the first Bishop of Paris martyred in the 3rd century who allegedly carried his own severed head for six miles after his execution.

Pairing carefully chosen titles with his works, Titchner observes how words and phrases are ‘a way of getting the viewer literally to read the work, so an active conceptual process immediately begins between the viewer and the work.’

He is drawn to historical and cultural references that have infiltrated mainstream culture and media, from obscure avant-garde philosophies to pop culture. Divorced from their original context, meanings of once complex thoughts or ideas are transformed into catchphrases and clichés, becoming more ambiguous. Titchner is interested in the way that words express the mundanity of everyday life, and the universal challenges of birth, life and death. His work questions the myriad of collective identities that are thrust upon people, and the often unattainable aspirations or desires. 

Titchner’s graphic works are stylistically influenced by varied sources including graffiti art and traditional church and trade unionist banners. Many of his early paintings were based on memories of the colourful 1970s wallpaper designs in his parents’ home. The patterns reminded him of the ‘Op Art’ style of Bridget Riley’s and Victor Vasarely’s 1960s works, and also work by earlier 20th-century artists including the Russian avant-garde artist Kasimir Malevich. 

Mark Titchner was born in Luton, Bedfordshire. He studied at the Hertfordshire College of Art and Design (1991–92) and at Central St Martins College, London (1992– 95). Titchner was nominated for the Turner Prize in 2006 and exhibited work at the Venice Biennale in 2007. Focusing on an exploration of words and language, in recent years much of his production has been based in the public realm both in the UK and internationally. These public works are often created from extended group activities or collaborations. His work is held in the permanent collections of The Arts Council, British Council, South London Gallery, and Tate.

Places

Subjects

conceptual art, text-based work

Materials & Techniques

aluminium, inkjet print

Artist

Mark Titchner (1973 - )

Title

Only the First Step is Difficult

Edition

unique

Date

2005

Medium

Unique archival inkjet print on Diabond (aluminium and acrylic sheet)

Dimensions

height: 150.00 cm, width: 100.00 cm

Acquisition

Purchased from Vilma Gold, June 2005

Inscription

verso, tl: Mark Titchner / "Only the first / step is difficult". / 2005

Provenance

Vilma Gold, London

GAC number

18023