Tuesday 25 October 2011

Finding patterns and the power of slow

I am a little bit obsessed with geometric patterns at the moment. Today while clearing rubbish from our garden I came across a strange combination of man-made pattern and organic textures. A roll of bubblewrap had been squashed in amongst old logs, timber, scrub and soil; slowly embossing surfaces and providing unnusual root runs. The power of slow.










... gives me a few ideas.

Friday 21 October 2011

Sticker Project

It's was a relief this afternoon to submit the work I have done for the sticker project at Bradford College, having beavered away all this week. I have been making a series of six handmade textile and paper 'stickers' titled 'Enter the Woods' based on a found verse (I think from an old hymn). If anyone knows who wrote this please let me know.

I think God gave the woods to us,
That we might steal away,
Alone to those green solitudes,
From all the noise of day,
I think God gave the woods to us,
To teach our souls to pray.


Each sticker includes a line from the verse enclosed within a folded piece of plant dyed cloth. I have used fine silk and metallic fabrics in subtle colours that seemed to mimic the colours of weathered concrete, wood and metalThis work aims to entice the viewer to explore green spaces, escaping the noise and bustle of city life. I imagine the stickers positioned around the urban environment, to be found in an intimate encounter with an unexpected artwork.

Below are some photos I took to see how the stickers might look in situ.












The stickers will join a large number of self-adhesive mini artworks by fellow Bradford staff and students, in locations in Spain and England to coincide with the Bilbao Art Fair. Rather than exhibit work in a gallery or art fair the project seeks to explore alternative, temporary locations for art by placing stickers outside the gallery, in urban spaces, on walls, pavements and unexpected public places. If anyone manages to see one let me know!

You can look at more fabulous sticker inspiration here.

Friday 7 October 2011

Wandering, exploring, stumbling along

A productive day today; walking and thinking, testing out ideas.

I made the most of the autumn sun, first exploring a very short way along the river, but exploring a little way off the path. It was notable that a more substantial path is being put in place to help walkers navigate the slippery patch of riverbank that is riddled with springs. It made me wonder whether making wild places safe and risk free this takes away from our experience; removing the sensation of mud sucking my boots deep down into the sodden ground.


I experimented with stitching some text outside, but I was not satisfied with the results. By the time I had embroidered the words my mind had moved onto other things. I want to make work of and in the moment. I decided to make some bundles, with the newly fallen beech and oak leaves. Finding a small fragment of broken pottery amongst the smoothed stones of the busy stream I picked it up to include with the bundle I was making. I feel this is starting to get interesting as the bundle is taking on a significance as a piece of work in it's own right.



Submerged bundle
Later this afternoon I went out exploring, visiting Shipley Glen (for the first time I am ashamed to say) and having a good wander about. I thoroughly enjoyed myself in the late summer sun, scrambling and strolling through the glorious landscape of giant tumbling boulders and crooked oak trees.



A fairy house?

Thursday 6 October 2011

Time and space

Being home alone this week I have had a little more time and space to myself, which has encouraged me to to reflect a little bit. I am realising that I find it useful to have some solitude in order to think and work. I know I am easily distracted and somehow need to remove myself from the temptations. My other realisation is that I also need some outside creative input; something to fill the gaps left by tutorials when studying on the MA. I need a network of peers to motivate, encourage and critique.


Sooooo... this week I have taken the plunge and started looking for a studio space to rent - I'm still looking if anyone knows anywhere appropriate and reasonably priced. Another option I may consider is looking for a local residency.

Also I wonder if anyone else is also looking for similar support? Perhaps there could be the possibility of a small artists group of like-minded people. Let me know if you think you might be interested.

Thanks folks!

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