Somerset Open Studios ’14 is now in full swing, we had a great open evening doo to kick off and I’m happy to say our venue (140 – Cranmore BA4 4RH, shared with Nick Weaver) made several sales this weekend. With over 52 pieces on show in the garden alone, it was a big job setting up (and clearing up my studio ready for the event). I ran a brief workshop for several art students from Wells Cathedral Junior School and will be running similar taster workshops on the next 2 Sundays (11.30-12.30). Please book if you’re interested: (01749) 880394.
Last weekend I visited Hauser & Wirth’s new Gallery space in Bruton for their Private View of Piet Oudolf’s newly created garden. Phyllida Barlow’s work inside provided a tactile (though you can’t touch), raw and quite spectacular use of the barn buildings. Her work seemed to celebrate the space: multi gigantic pompoms suspended and massive colourful structures reaching into roof voids. It was invigorating, while Oudolf’s garden was soothing. Luckily we could touch his wonderful, feathery grasses – it would have been torture not to. And it was a treat to see one of Louise Bourgeois’s Spiders (much smaller than the one I saw at the Tate Modern, but still great!)
Fundraising is not my forte but I’ve had to do it as part of a major project I’m organising entitled ‘step in stone’. The film we’ve been making for a crowdfunding platform is now ready to launch on IdeasTap. This will go live in the next day or so, and I hope we will have some success through it. We have now made the final selection of featured artists, and it is all getting very exciting and absorbing! More news of this project soon…
