Space/s

I’m looking forward to suspending my large-scale Snakes and Ladders (I) piece in Wells Cathedral and attending the Wells Art Contemporary PV this week! I’ll also be installing a giant Octopus on a 5m wall at Eastover Primary School, after which I can properly get stuck into my residency space in the Loft, above Heritage Courtyard Gallery, Wells.  All very exciting though I’ve been very busy, a bit stressed and feeling quite exhausted. I value those still times for head space and imaginings.

WAC

Having been selected as one of the installation artists for Wells Art Contemporary at Wells Cathedral, my 7m piece Snakes and Ladders (I) will be suspended in the south transept.  I can’t wait to instal it in that magnificent space this week!  

I’ve been very lucky to be able to work on it in a fabulous spacious workshop nearby, thanks to Jen Weaver and Al Crossman for the free space (available to rent - contact tractor.shed). The piece needed repasting and a few other tweaks, so I’ve spent 2 weeks sprucing it up. Thanks also to Nick Weaver for his technical assistance.

Snakes and Ladders (I) in progress

The Private View is this Friday 27 August (do come - PV invite below) and the show runs for a month. 

See previous post for more details about the work.

My work tends to gravitate upwards, downwards, or entwine through - in motion anyway.  There’s a vitality, an ongoingness, entangling or journeying - as with life.  Along these lines, I’m reading Life of Lines by Tim Ingold.

Pyre is off to Taiwan

Packing Pyre, (including counting (85 pieces), weighing, installation instructions and registering shipping on DHL took almost as long as making it!  The work’s going off to the International Biennale, National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute this Thursday - fingers crossed the 3 boxes arrive in tact the other end!

Loft Space (above Heritage Courtyard Gallery)

Loving my new temporary workspace in the loft above Heritage Courtyard Gallery, Wells.  It’s giving me some thinking space along with it being physically inspiring, a space to expand, and document work, in between my other projects. I’m approaching it as a short residency, leading to Somerset Open Studios, (18 Sept-3 Oct).  It’s very timely as my relatively cramped studio at home has no power at the moment!

I’ve been drawing roots with oak gall and Indian ink - the start of a series of drawings and sculptural installations.

I’m working on a new piece for an RSS exhibition at Chichester Cathedral next year - title undecided. My work is based on the plight of pangolins. Recently authorities found body parts of 15,000 dead pangolins in hundreds of bags. The slaughter of Pangolins continues.  This poaching, cruelty, slaughter and greedy profiteering from the death of these beautiful endangered creatures is breaking my heart.  Wildlife trafficking is a vile practice, and those who encourage and commission it must be stopped, shamed and brought to justice. Those who poach need to be given a better alternative - educated/enlisted to save not harm wildlife.

Of Anish Kapoor: ‘…bleeds and disgorges its subterranean innards… push boundaries between sculpture and painting into visceral new ground,… ongoing attention to the abjected body… a theme surely intensified in the pandemic era… when the sense of the vulnerability of the body has become a communal experience.’ ArtLyst, July ’21

I thought this description aptly describes what I’m trying to achieve in my new work.

In the gallery below the Loft, there’s a vibrant exhibition: Inside Out with work by Heather Wallace and Rebecca Barnard - come and visit!

Inch by IN:CH

We had a fantastic pop up event at Backwell Playhouse as part of Inch by IN:CH. It was a brilliant opportunity for dramatic lighting on our work. My piece Hope of a Tree was placed to cast interesting shadows for our shadow drawing workshops, led by Shirley Sharp and me. It was so lovely to interact with the public, who seemed to really appreciate the event. There was a great energy; a strong sense of collaboration and deep focus during the drawing sessions. 

I’m creating a slideshow of my work to be published at the end of the Inch by IN:CH project. See my slideshow of all our work for Backwell. (Photos by Linda Ashe; James Thornton).

Our next stop is a pop up event at Found Outdoors, a beautiful woodland in Erlstoke, Wiltshire on 11th September, with events, and then our finale at The Gauge Museum, West Somerset Railway (25 Sept-3 Oct).

Reimagining Nature

A couple of my small sculptures from the entanglement series, and film Life in the Undergrowth are included in Re-Imagining Nature, an exhibition curated by Zoe Li in the newly transformed gallery in Yeovil - open until 11 Sept, Wed - Fri 11-3, Sat 11-5. 

Giant Octopus

I’m on my way to finishing a giant Octopus commission for Eastover School via Spaeda Arts. Made from recycled materials, parts were created in workshops I ran with the pupils.  Looking forward to erecting it on the 5m wall as a permanent feature.

Workshops

My first workshop back at the Holburne Museum for over a year was a success. Small family groups made wire creatures. I also spent a few lovely hours at Five Trees Bowlish running a free sculpture workshop. Thanks to Shepton Mallet Town Council for funding it as part of Summer in Shepton, and thanks to Sue Ayton-Moon for the great venue and facilities, situated in a field near Shepton Mallet. Participants made a range of pieces using recycled, found and natural materials.

Hope to see you at one of my forthcoming events. See a full list here.

Art On The Move

Hope of a Tree, Frome Museum stairwell. Photo by Jack Robson

This past month has been full-on, eventful, punctuated with thrilling news, exciting outcomes and new possibilities.  At times, I’ve felt the strain of too many things on the go at once. It’s been a test of endurance, but I’m just about keeping sane, and my passion for all things nature and art spur me on. I’ve been grateful for my garden, where I find joy and peace just being with the birds, and my supportive son and friends.

Two ongoing projects are about art on the move:

All The Colours

A community art project, part of Art First with Seed Sedgemoor and Buses of Somerset

The art on buses is now out and about and the online gallery of all submissions is now live.

I popped into Bridgwater bus station hoping to see a bus with our Art First artwork on, and was lucky to see the exterior panels on 21 & 21a (Bridgwater to Taunton routes).  The buses were on the move, but I managed to get a quick video and depot manager Jason took a pic of me by one.

I was really pleased with the lenticular effect and think the t-section panel looks cohesive, considering the difficulties involved.  We will be having a proper photoshoot soon…

If you’re in the Sedgemoor Somerset area look out for buses with these panels on them, and interior cove cards on bus routes: 21, 21a, 14, 75, B1, & college contracts.  

Let us know if you spot one and please send a pic to: fionacampbell-art@sky.com

Inch by IN:CH

Last month we had a successful time at the Garages, Bath, next to the river and tow path. It brought many visitors who wouldn’t normally visit a gallery; we had lovely conversations with people and the work looked great in the transformed garage setting.

We have several more stops on our tour, now sited in Frome for the Festival. This week I installed my work beside the spectacular spiral staircase, Frome Museum - a space rarely open to the public. I’ll be there daily 10-4 during Frome festival.  I’m offering free daily drop-in taster workshops. On Friday 9 June I’ll be doing a performative window drawing at Jude’s of Frome with Shirley Sharp. Come and watch us - 8.15-9.15pm.

Hope of a Tree, Spiral Stairwell, Frome Museum. Photo 2 by Jack Robson

After Frome we’re heading to East Somerset Railway, Cranmore - on my doorstep! (21-31 July, open Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun) Events include Drawing from Cases: daily when open; Artists-in-Conversation: Sat 24 July, 11am - 1pm. With me and Philippa Edwards; Sculpture workshop with me: Sat 24 July, 2 - 4pm. Book via eventbrite. £5 for materials. (Suitable for 8 yrs-adult); Sculpture Workshop using recycled materials: Sun 25 July, 11am - 1pm.  With me & Angel Greenham.  Free, drop-in, all ages

I made a slideshow of our work:

11 artists have created artwork in cases. Integral to the exhibition, each case contributes to the work. Some are large, with work spilling beyond its frame; others are smaller, more self-contained.

Listen here for my radio chat with Jenna from Somerset Cool (first half).

International Biennial Exhibitions in Taiwan 

I’m thrilled that Pyre has been selected for an international biennale exhibition in Taiwan.  Transfiguration: From Nature to Art runs 12th November 2021 - 10th April 2022.

Further info can be found here: http://biennialartpaperfibre.com/blog/

Pyre is a response to the catastrophic Amazon and Australian wildfires last year. It is a collection of offerings, remembrances, wailings, grief bundles.  The piece was initially created for Incendiary 2020, curated by Patricia O’ Brien.

It’s a real honour to be part of this exhibition!

WAC

I’ve been short listed for Wells Art Contemporary installations.. more news on this soon.

New work 

I continue to feel deeply sad about wildlife wet markets that have picked up again, and the plight of pangolins (most trafficked mammal in the world). Millions are slaughtered each year for their protective scales, and their meat is a delicacy in Asia. I’ve started new work on this theme, weaving linear coiled bodily forms. ‘Nothing can hold on unless it puts out a line, and unless that line can tangle with others. Most if not all life-forms.. (are) combinations of blob and line’. Tim Ingold, Life of Lines

Solo/Residency 

Coming up in August is my 2 month solo residency at The Loft, above Heritage Courtyard, Wells. It’s light, spacious, rich in ambient abandoned decay.  I’ll be showing work made there as part of Somerset Open Studios (18 Sept - 3 Oct)

Windows on Nature Art Trail, Trowbridge Art Trail

Some of my earlier work is on show as a mini solo in an empty shop window at 51 Fore Street, Trowbridge BA14 8ES. The trail aims to raise awareness of endangered wildlife. My chosen charity for the event is Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Drawings continue at Sculptors Drawing Space, 1 hour online sessions with Royal Society of Sculptors members. A poem was written about the event.

Workshops

This week I spent 3 days in Bridgwater running workshops at Eastover Primary School via SPAEDA, creating elements for a giant Octopus being installed on a 5metre wall at the school.

On 14 August I’m running a free workshop at Five Trees Bowlish for Summer in Shepton. There are still spaces if you’d like to book.

Sculpture Course

This time last year I launched my first online sculpture course, which proved a success.  I ran it again earlier this year, and will be offering an updated version in the autumn.  If you’re interested in booking please get in touch.

Follow me on instagram to keep up with my latest news: https://www.instagram.com/fionacampbellartist/

Enjoy the summer!

Fruition

Summer is upon us!  Blasts of hot air and sunshine, after too many cold damp days in UK.  With lockdown restrictions gradually easing and hugs resuming, there also seems a to be a new energy (among humans anyway). Many of us have learnt important lessons about care.

In between projects, I’ve taken a few short courses and continue to connect with membership groups: RSS, SAW, BSA and IN:CH.  Care is an overwhelming mantra - not just caring for others, but also self-care. Through Mind the Gap with Fiona Winning (open honest sharing to find our inner resources), RSS meet-ups where we discuss fighting our inner demons while reaching for our North Star, it’s clear how necessary it is to have downtime.  I’m trying… :-)

All The Colours

The work I’ve been doing for All The Colours, part of Art First with Seed and Buses of Somerset, is soon to launch. The printed artworks are almost ready for the buses.

The design process has been complex, involving several stages, some completely new to me! Initially I created 3 chameleon paintings in different colour schemes, plus a background. After compiling all the community’s image submissions, I used software to import them into the chameleons as photo mosaics, ready for lenticular printing. Thanks to Neil Lumby (Seed designer) for his part in the process.

Lenticular prints are holographic, making images almost cinematic. As the bus moves, or viewers move past the image, the chameleon will change colour, and the eyes will rotate.

We will be launching the art on buses in early June, when you’ll be able to see the work featured in and on 30 buses across Sedgemoor, Somerset.

Thanks to all who contributed. I’m excited to see the final results! To find out more about the project visit Art First  and head to my All The Colours page.

Round Lemon Talk, Interview and Publication

Following Round Lemon’s selected ONE exhibition and winning first prize, an Interview about my work has been published on Round Lemon’s ZEST platform, and you can catch my online artist talk on their YouTube channel.  A Round Lemon ONE Exhibition publication is also available to buy.

Hope of a Tree, Inch by IN:CH

Inch by IN:CH

The tour begins! We launched Inch by IN:CH in Bath over the bank holiday weekend, and with it, a range of drawing sessions. It was a lovely way to engage visitors, while providing stimulus and more reason to linger and chat.  Drawing from Cases is an ongoing event, daily when we are open. Shirley Sharp and I also facilitated an experimental shadow drawing session, using ink, charcoal and graphite to draw shadows cast by the lit work. We’ll be running this session again at Backwell Playhouse on 7 August.

My truck conked out last week, so I am eternally grateful to Philippa Edwards for kindly coming to the rescue and transporting me and my work on installation day. With help from Jez Truelove and the amazing IN:CH team we cleared two garages and set up a coherent exhibition! My piece Hope of a Tree will be adapted for different venues. It’s a relief when work comes to fruition successfully.. 

This 1min film about the work was prompted by a short film-making course I did recently with Chris Kemp (Suited and Booted Studios) via Creativity Works.

If you haven’t yet, do try to visit our Bath venue before 13 June (The Garages, Bath Artist Studios, The Old Malthouse, Comfortable Place, Bath BA1 3AJ; open Fri, Sat, Sun, 11-5).  Take a look at our website and instagram @inchbyinch for details of all our venues, dates and events.  At our next venue (Frome Festival) I will be there each day (3-11 July), showing my work in the spiral staircase museum entrance, and running taster drop in workshops. Join me!

I’m looking forward to running a series of workshops - online and in-person.  I’ll be working with Eastover School, Bridgwater later this month via SPAEDA creating a giant octopus. And via SAW’s InspirED programme, I’m creating resources/materials for Primary School Teachers, with a focus on creative approaches to engage with Climate Change. There’s still time to book!.

I will be showing some of my earlier work: drawings, a nest and dung beetle sculptures in the Trowbridge Windows on Nature Trail, 51 Fore Street, BA14 8ES in time for World Environment Day (5 June). All work is for sale. If you’re an art/nature lover, pop along if you can!

For a list of current and forthcoming exhibitions please visit this link

Happy chilling!