For me, this past month since Christmas has been energising, and also heavy-going! I have various projects in early stages, running side by side and keeping me busy. The excitement of them motivates me, but am feeling quite weathered, working hard in this grim January lockdown, with worrying global issues and covid situation.
I’m gathering ideas, planning, drawing, making collages, thinking, and doing lots of admin. I’ve been working mainly in my sketchbook. I take it out on walks for drawing, sometimes using my home-made plant inks (oak galls, avocado pits, onion skins). Apart from it getting wet in rain and a bit muddy, it’s surviving! I’ve managed to get into the studio now and then, to stir the creative juices.
One project is Inch by IN:CH, an artist-led travelling exhibition involving 11 artists. We’re currently fund-raising and securing venues for the tour. Bringing contemporary art out of the gallery and into communal areas, locations will be plotted as a spiral across South West UK (especially Somerset, Bristol and Bath). Our focus is on public engagement through workshops, talks, discussions, demos and performances.
Here’s a direct link to our Support page: http://bit.ly/inchbyinchdonate if you’d like to support us. We’re incredibly grateful to those who’ve sponsored us already - see our website for details. Do follow us on Instagram: @inchbyinchuk & Twitter @inchbyINCH10. Earlier this month I chatted to Claire Cavanagh on BBC radio Bristol about the project. You can listen here (1:19-1:26 mins): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0918m2c.
As a Cranmore resident, I’m delighted that one of our venues will be East Somerset Railway - I’ve always wanted to involve the steam railway in my village with an art project.
Another project Art First, with Seed Sedgemoor and First West Buses, will involve the Sedgemoor community. It’s something a little different for me and I’m very excited to be one of the commissioned artists. The project will be launching soon..
My second online sculpture course is now under way. I’m delighted with the ongoing experimentation by participants, (from UK, S. Africa & USA) who are embracing recycled and found materials in unique ways. Below - work in progress: 1 Jinny Jehu; 2 Chris Winter; 3 Gwynne Penny; 4 Barbara Griffin.
Art UK are in the process of making a film about my work, to be shown mainly in schools. Due to covid restrictions, I’m providing some self-filmed footage. Really looking forward to seeing the final outcome!
I made a short film of my studio for a recent RSS Zoom meet-up (see below). These peer conversations (also with SAW and IN:CH groups) are so vital at the moment to keep connected.
The other day I attended a Zoom conversation between Olivia Bax and Hannah Hughes, reflecting on their exhibition Gleaners, Sid Motion gallery. Interesting insights, through which I discovered Agnes Varda’s wonderful film The Gleaners and I, Agnes Varda. I’m like the guy in the wellies, if you watch it!
‘The glaneuse isn’t idle; she has purpose and drive… curiosity (a)… frontal, practical-minded engagement with her surroundings. The glaneuse is a seeker, a hunter-gatherer, and also a maker who puts what she harvests to good use.’ Muriel Zagha.
Another article I came across recently that resonates with my work: https://www.thelearnedpig.org/dead-owls-and-blue-bottle-flies/9570
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Take care and stay safe!