Phillips embarked on his residency by delving into the works
of architect Ernesto Korrodi and his contributions to the Leiria region.
Korrodi was influenced by restoration movements that adopted a scientific
approach to the preservation of historic monuments and devoted his career to
their study and reconstruction. Phillips was drawn to this concept of
restoration, which emerges as a recurring theme throughout his project.
The exhibition's photographs further explore the central
ideas of Korrodi's architectural practice, such as structure and ornamentation,
surface and depth, and expressionism and abstraction. For instance, a
collection of images created by layering photographs of tile designs and
architectural fragments produces composite images where decorative patterns
intertwine with formal elements of the photograph.
Phillips employs the notion of the Flâneur as a method for
navigating his research and responding visually to his encounters, thereby
shaping his experience of the city.
