Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand, Together We Rise, Chichester Cathedral. Photo by Ann Purkiss.
I’ve had a full-on month! Some of the stand out events:
Together We Rise opened in Chichester Cathedral at the end of June. A major exhibition of work by 25 artists from Royal Society of Sculptors (South West), artist-led, curated by Jacquiline Creswell.
My piece Martyrdom of the Ten Thousand was created over a period of 10 months and took 5 days to install - slow, meditative art that is addictive and healing. Described by another sculptor as ritualistic. The installation process felt like a short residency. As I worked in the cathedral space, up tall ladders or perched on scaffolding, visitors chatted to me about the work. It felt important to discuss it. There are over 50 bodily forms relating to the plight of pangolins. These intriguing delightful creatures are the most trafficked mammals in the world. - see my previous blog for details and more images. I’m frequently having to conquer my fear of heights and I was grateful to those who helped.
I’m in awe of the exhibition and venue. The placement of work is very sympathetic to the space and fabric of the building, thanks to the expertise of curator Jacquiline Creswell. Extraordinary light and beautiful choir and organ sounds accompany the work, giving it gravitas. I’m feeling hugely grateful to be part of it, for the support of the Society group, the Cathedral team and hard work of our excellent curator. As Jacquiline says: ‘we all put our hearts and souls into this exhibition and you can see and feel it’.
The PV was fantastic, with opening talks by Richard Cork (FT Art critic), and The Dean. I was moved by a highly emotional response to my work: Friend Sarah James was brought to tears at the sight of it. The exhibition feedback so far: ‘multi-layered, surprising, professional, diverse, strong, symbiotic with cathedral, sits beautifully, remarkable, spiritual, special…’.
The cathedral also has work by Chagall, John Piper and Graham Sutherland among others.
The exhibition runs until 6 September. Hope you can visit!
Above photos: 1, 2, 3 by Paul Gonella. 4, 5, 6 by Ann Purkiss
Projects often coincide or collide. I’m co-curating/working on The Gleaning, a collaborative community arts project celebrating diversity, connectivity, and the environment. Large-scale translucent textile artworks will be suspended in front of clear glass windows in Shepton Mallet’s beautiful church. Working with Gill Sakakini, Polly Hall and others, we’re delivering a series of free workshops - 2 this week. See full list, funded by Shepton Town Council, Cranmore Parish Council and other donors.
20th July, 10am-12pm – Sweet 11 Cafe, High Street, Shepton Mallet: Cake & Collage
21st July, 3-5pm – St Peter & St Paul Church, Shepton Mallet: Stories with Art
I’ve been working on a large-scale panel themed Earthlings. Stories within a story celebrate fauna and flora, the value and importance of non-humans, and life’s interconnectedness.. For weeks I’ve been hand-stitching remnants together, printmaking and tie-dyeing with home-made plant inks. On top of collaging and arranging shapes, it takes hours and hours to appliqué pieces together. We had a lovely time at Collett Park Day with people of all ages getting involved and creating fabulous prints for the panels. A work experience student, Pippa, and local artist Juliet Duckworth worked with me on the Earthlings panel last week. Many more people have been involved in donating fabric offcuts, fruit nets etc. We are fund-raising, thanks to our steering group Rosalind Teesdale-Ives, Polly Hall and Lizzie Britain. Do get involved in some way..
Work in progress for The Gleaning - Earthlings collaboration with Juliet Duckworth
Following on from wire creature workshops with St Benedicts C of E Junior School via LIFE beat, I made a Copper Tree for permanent siting in their Peace Garden, presented on the school’s Wellbeing Day. Made of recycled copper piping, the tree is designed to support the little sculptures. The creatures represent the school’s ‘Elly’ animals - each having important characteristics to nurture.
Copper Tree with wire sculptures (made in workshops), St Benedicts C of E Junior School, via LIFEbeat
I’m really pleased that Entangled I has been selected for the Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Exhibition by curator Isabel de Vasconcellos. The show will be at 4 Cromwell Place, London SW7 2JE 19-24 July, 10-6 daily.
Entangled I, recycled steel, wire, filter papers, 25 x 26 x 27cms
I made the piece during lockdown 2020 as part of my Life in the Undergrowth project. I was fascinated by roots, shoots and worms in upturned turf in my garden. Work evolved using to-hand and found materials.
I’m clearing the decks a little so I can get stuck into more studio work, and will set up a separate blog for my ACE DYCP work..
Hope you can visit some of these events. And enjoy the sunshine!