Mark Hosking's practice can be seen as an ongoing enquiry into the nature of object-hood; often taking as a basis, found or pre-existing objects, assimilating them into his work and challenging their assumed use and/or value. He will often assign himself a design-like brief into the working process and allow a demonstrative functionality to occur to the finished works. This is particularly apparent in his recent series of playable musical instrument sculptures and paintings. From a design perspective, they can be viewed as prototypes for musical instruments, made through an involved and ongoing exploration of existing instrument design, applying collage, modification and transmutation. From the perspective of sculpture, each one of these constructions contains a narrative in the making process that acknowledges and celebrates a history of constructed sculpture and the use of the readymade in visual culture. References to modernism and stylistic homage to other moments in contemporary art history, are used to enhance, foil or mask the functionality. The final aspect of this work is activated by a performer.