"Donning a pair of orange juice soaked underpants procured from an op shop, Patterson enacts a simple, repetitive movement, repeatedly stamping on a sponge on the floor as his jeans darken with juicy moisture. The video seeps with squishy, sticky textures and absurd, seemingly futile movements. There is something slightly uncomfortable about witnessing what happens behind Patterson’s closed doors.
His gestures reflect deeper concerns. Originally from Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland but currently based outside of Ōtepoti/Dunedin, Patterson is acutely aware of the ever increasing cost of housing, with the median house price in Tāmaki Makaurau now hitting the million dollar mark. The cost of returning to his hometown is prohibitive and symbols within the film reflect his sense of hopelessness. We all enjoy the comfort of a clean pair of underpants. Sodden and stamped upon they become an analogy for Patterson’s frustrations. Untitled is bookended by the blinking lights of an oncoming train and the artist’s movements echo them. When renting a home, one must be in a constant state of readiness, anticipating the possibility of being upended and moved at the whims of an owner or landlord."
- Serena Bentley, from the catalogue essay for Personal Space (2019)
