Stilt Structures, As Old as the Hills

A year in the making, As Old as the HiIls has now ended, and with it, my series of Stilt Structures - for now anyway. The project prep began in November ‘23. I became more and more immersed in the project, which I co-curated. It’s been exhausting but exhilarating. So heartened by the quantity of visitors, level of engagement and feedback during our final exhibition and events, part of Somerset Art Weeks Festival ‘24. We had a fantastic Exhibition Launch, incredible turn out with Mayor Lokabandhu opening the event. Entrancing performances by Di Milstein aka Miss Smith, and dance/vocal performance by Katherine Ashworth/Melanie Thompson. We closed last weekend.

Photos above by Jo Hartley

My series of Stilt Structures imply precarity, adaptability and resilience; the work responds to the Zig Zag’s history and Bauhaus architecture. Over the past few months I developed several large site responsive pieces, and smaller sculptures, collages and drawings.

Stilt Structure III, Found, discarded, recycled materials: chicken wire, steel, paper, cardboard, wood, leather, fabric, jute, bark plastic, plant debris, sheep wool, and glue, 365 (h ) x 185 x 185cm. Photo by Jo Hartley

Stilt Structure II, Found, discarded, recycled materials: wood, steel, jute, handmade naturally dyed & recycled fabric, leather, plastic netting, polyester stuffing, old sponges, copper, wire, coir, sisal, wool, thread, nylon tights, vegan leather scraps, 175 (h) x 80 x 65cm. Both photos above by Roger Spear

Photo by Russell Sach

Photo by Russell Sach

Stilt Structure I, Found, discarded, recycled materials: wood, bark, coir, copper wire, leaves, pod, grass stems, charred feathers, fabric, plastic netting, polyester stuffing, jute, sisal, khadi paper, wool, thread, coffee beans, cardamom seeds, nutmeg pods, rice, nylon tights, oil, 108 x 48 x 78cm. Photo by Jo Hartley

Photo by Jo Hartley

Sack, Found, discarded, recycled materials (sourced mainly from marshes, rivers, beaches, industrial wastelands): jute, fabric (some harvested from local plants botanically hand-dyed), twine, plastic, nylon, polystyrene, sisal, rope, wood, wire, thread, 305 (h) x 275 (d) x 190 (w) cm. Photo by Roger Spear

Photo by Jo Hartley

Raft, Found wood and other natural debris, twine, sisal, wire

Photo by Jo Hartley

Nymph, Found, discarded, recycled materials: fabric dyed with botanical inks (2000yr old bog oak and yew, avocado pits, turmeric, onion skin, buddleia..) jute, teabags, paper, oil, rhubarb leaves, wood (incl 2000yr old bogwood), wire, wood, leaves, bark & other natural debris, hair, shoe inner sole (found by river near Zig Zag), copper, wax, thread, sisal, 151 x 60 x 60cms

Nymph (detail)

Nymph (detail). Photo Susanna Bauer

I approach my work as assemblages, using a sculptural bricolage of recycled and found materials. Maquettes and collages are a great way to work through ideas spontaneously.

One of our aims was to appeal to young people. We were especially pleased to have so many under 20’s join in and visit. It was such a joy to see participants visit the show and feel part of it.

Fossilised Fragments: Hangings I, II, III, Miscellaneous found debris (mainly sourced from local rivers & beaches), handmade papers, cellulose paste, linseed oil, Community collaboration, created in workshops with Fiona Campbell & Jan Ollis with children from West Pennard & St Benedicts Junior Schools, & participants at Collet Park Day

Foreground: Fossilised Fragments: Casts, Handmade paper, cast from miscellaneous found debris, mainly sourced from rivers, beaches and bogs - one piece 2000yrs old, Community collaboration, created in workshops with Fiona Campbell & Jan Ollis with children from West Pennard & St Benedicts Junior Schools, participants at Collet Park Day

It’s been wonderful working with such an exciting group of creatives and wider community. Thanks to all involved in the project: co-curator Jan Ollis, and other 8 artists Madi Acharya Baskerville , Nikki Allford, Duncan Cameron, David Kefford, Di Milstein, Penelope O’Gara, Catriona Robertson, Richard Tomlinson, venue owner Chris Black & team Zig Zag, patrons, volunteers (especially Jo Hartley, Andy Ralston, Roger Spear, Nigel Evans), participants, visitors & online supporters.

Thanks to patrons: The Arts Society, a local charitable trust, Gane Trust, Chris Black, Chris Lee, Shepton Mallet Town Council, Curator Space, Somerset Art Works, Paddy O’ Hagan, Chrisi & Simon Kennedy, Ben Malin, Blue Cedar PrIntworks, Red Brick Building, Dr Richard Brunning, Natalie Watson, SPARK Somerset

And steering group: Freeny Yianni (Close Ltd), Damon Bridge (RSPB), Carol Carey (Somerset Art Works), Paddy O’Hagan (WAC)

Listen to ‘Heart of the Art’ (Show 2), Be Somerset, and Rob Bayly Somer Valley FM radio show (01:05:15 - 01:19:24) for some behind-the-scenes insights, and see this lovely short film about my work by Gillian Taylor.

Comments from visitors:

‘..work was outstanding’. Dallas

‘Loved all of it.’ Sam & Imilia

‘..highlights the importance of our surroundings. Amazing, magical’ Susie

‘Absorbing, enchanting. Sue

‘Heaven’ Gill

‘Stunning Show. Magical performances..’ Kristen

‘Fabulous - everything.’ Rachel

‘Ambitious, very exciting to see all these creaturely beings emerging and receding’ Fiona

‘The best show in Somerset. Excellent’. Gary

‘Absolutely amazing exhibition and space. The most intriguing work I have seen in a long time.’ Deborah

‘..Great curation, all the works are converging and humming with life’ Elaoise

‘Absolutely superb exhibition - loved it’ Simon

‘Very interesting use of found materials’ Marietta

‘Incredible space, enhanced by a spectacular and varied show - perfect pairing’ Sue

‘Quite extraordinary’ Alicia

‘Just wonderful… love the contrasts and similarities in the work and the way they speak to one another. It’s like a conversation. Very thought provoking..’ Lou

‘Brilliantly emotional and ecological’ Barbara

‘Wonderfully creative and considered collection of work. Loved how it sits within the building, site and landscape and that you collaborated with the local community. Very inspiring and beautiful work..’ David

‘Utterly fabulous..’ Solange

‘Could have stayed all day’ Jinny

‘the light and historical patinas and surfaces have all chimed so well with the work’. Duncan

‘As Old as the Hills was an amazing show, totally brilliant’ Rebecca

If you didn’t see the show and are in/near Glastonbury later this month, pop in to the Mayor’s Dresses project, where you will see a few of our larger pieces still there amidst the dress on show!

Total participants/interactive audiences: 391; visitors during Somerset Art Weeks Festival: 1000

Further information: As Old as the Hills

Upcoming

Elemental Exhibition
Some of my smaller works will be showcased in Elemental, Sou Sou West (Symondsbury Estate, Bridport, Dorset DT6 6HG), opening Saturday 19 Oct. I’ll be showing sculptures, drawings, collages and maquettes alongside Jan Alison Edwards & Ali Matthews. Open 19 October-10 November, daily 10.30-3.30. Meet the Artists’ 19 Oct, 1-4pm.

As part of this exhibition, I will be leading some day and weekend Eco Sculpture Workshops with Jan Alison Edwards at West Bay DT6 4EL on 2/3 & 9/10 Nov - see eventbrite to book

The Landscape (Re)View II exhibition at Brewhouse, Taunton is now over. I enjoyed leading a taster drop-in workshop and taking part in an artists-in-conversation session. My work is still showing on The Wall at Landscape (Re)View I at Musgrove until 28 October.

I was invited for interview about my work by Textiel Plus for the Dutch magazine’s latest edition, themed up and recycle. See my press page to read the article..

If you’re looking for some creative sculptural inspiration and guidance, please take a look at my ongoing online sculpture course (self-directed) and visit my instagram feed for regular updates.

Dust of Stars

Work in progress: Dust of Stars, for Hatch. Found, discarded and recycled materials: wood, metal, wire, rope, twine, glass, plastic, rubber, miscellaneous debris and objects.

I’ve created an installation in a disused barn for an exhibition Death & Microwaves, Hatch, Somerset. Enjoyed the freedom to be experimental in a large space, play with shadow, and take a line for a walk, working with my collection of salvaged materials and objects. Regarding the value we give to different materials, I’ve re-used old work and things which often end up in waste piles, what I already have.

Anselm Keifer speaks of the detritus he collected as ‘an incessant metabolism, the beginning of a rebirth.’ The creative cycle,  the ‘ceaseless shuttling back and forth between nothing and something, a constant going from one state to the other’, is synonymous with life and death. Each merges into the other with no real defining point, a cyclical persistence. Considering this and the magnitude of our universe, what is living and what is dead?  As matter is ongoing, is this stuff alive?  Life comes from the dust of stars, and we return to dust. According to Carl Sagan: ‘The cosmos is within us. We are made of star-stuff.’

Death & Microwaves, Hatch, Langport, Somerset, Oct 27 - 12 Nov. ‘Like the Dadaists, whose name came by stabbing a knife into a French-German dictionary pointing to the word dada (hobby-horse), the title for our upcoming exhibition arose from two spontaneous and juxtaposing conversations around a dinner table.’ Book to visit. Exhibition late opening 3 & 10 Nov, from 4.30pm. Tea & cake 5.30pm. Artist Talks 6pm. Come to my talk on 10 November! Georgina Towler and I will each be discussing our work on show. See here for more.

Somerset Open Studios ‘23

A few more pics from my Open Studio event, which ended at the beginning of this month. Some days were magical, with visitors, sunshine, and butterflies galore. Other days wind and rain lashed at the outdoor work, activating the flags. Great to have sold a few pieces and receive quality feedback. Loved welcoming people - thanks to all who visited!

Resurrection., on show in my garden. Photo credit Andy Ladhams; thumbnail pics above: 1-5 Rich Cassidy; 6 Andy Ladhams

I have a small sculpture Roots in ACEarts Open Exhibition. The Meet the Artists event was a great start to the show. Lovely to catch up with so many artists, and see the wide selection of artworks. Runs 14 Oct-11 Nov, 10-5, Tues-Sat, Somerton, Somerset.

My work is currently on show at Stone Lane Gardens Sculpture Exhibition 2023, Chagford, Devon until 31 Oct..

Loved making a small Pangolin sculpture for Faber Books. As part of a campaign to launch the paperback ‘The Golden Mole and Other Vanishing Treasure’ by Katherine Rundell, Faber Books is working with independent, sustainable artists on bespoke pieces inspired by animals in the book. My obvious choice was a pangolin, most trafficked mammal in the world. I have a particular passion for their plight. Many people aren’t aware of what they are and how endangered they’re becoming. They are such docile, shy creatures, and it’s a tragedy that they are slaughtered for their only protection - their scales.

Pangolin, found and recycled materials: copper and steel off-cuts, wire, aluminium & plastic bottle tops, buttons, beads, wood, twine, shells.

I’ve been leading workshops with young people via YMCA/SAW. I’m also teaching art at Bath College: sculpture, drawing & painting, and life drawing courses. It’s been a busy initiation, with heavy admin, training and prep involved. Finding the juggling quite exhausting, but it helps pay the bills and support my art practice.

Looking forward to a PADA residency in February, and seeking help to fund this great opportunity. If you can support in any way, please click on the link below.

Donate

New Work on Show for Wander_Land, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens

Flags of the Forest, reclaimed and found materials, 2023.. Photo Russell Sach

After months of prep and an intense week installing my work is now on show in Wander_Land, a large scale artist-led group exhibition of new sculpture at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens and Gallery, Penzance, Cornwall. The exhibition is about landscape and wandering, and includes 28 artists from Royal Society of Sculptors - open daily 1 July - 5 Aug, 11-4. Closing Event 5 Aug 11-4. The show spans several spaces inside and out. Works range in style and materiality, some pushing sculpture to its edges. It’s been a joy working together alongside great colleagues, and behind the scenes with steering group Seamus Moran, Mark Richards, Ann-Margreth Bohl, and curator/writer Martin Holman. See more here. Our Opening Evening was followed by a busy first weekend with Artist Talks. You can listen to artists talk about their work in a series of podcasts led by Doug Burton. Mine is here.

I created 2 pieces: Flags of the Forest (outdoors) and Above and Below (indoors).

Flags of the Forest. Photo Russell Sach

Flags of the Forest. Photo Barbara Beyer

Art writer Martin Holman, who assisted us with the curation, wrote in his introduction to the show:

‘Fiona Campbell’s ‘Above and Below’ distils that essentialness of the all-round effect of nature and transports it into the gallery as if challenging the enclosure that comes with architecture.’

‘The thicket of stem-like upright forms and trailing translucent pennants on the grass bank… suggests another way marker or a minor encampment of a travelling band. At the same time as these colourful ideas emerge, others focused on sculptural properties like line, volume, space and surface occur. The piece assembles a wide array of natural matter and woven fabrics acquired in all manner of exchange and appropriation, or bring obliquely to mind the pattern of commerce, profit and exploitation in the manufacture of fashion items for western consumption.’ (Flags of the Forest).

Grid images below: Flags of the Forest installation process. Photo credits: 4,5,6,7,8,9,24,29 Barbara Beyer

Flags of the Forest. Photos (above x 2) by Russell Sach

Photo Barbara Beyer

Visitors’ silent walk to see Flags of the Forest before Artist Talks. Photo David Bird

Above: visitor with Flag

Left: photo by Jane Jobling

Flags of the Forest took almost a year to make, in between other work. Inspired by walks in woodlands, it was developed from an indoor piece to a large outdoor installation. The flags celebrate bio-diversity, hopeful of nature being more cared for, and thriving. The work includes tall heavy scrap metal and found wood components with fragile hand-stitched patchworks of semi-translucent textiles elements - some I’ve botanically dyed, eco-printed or embedded with found objects collected on walks. It’s a first for me - and a steep learning curve - to include a water feature as part of an installation. Labour-intensive processes included digging a ditch/pond/water feature and carrying many buckets of water uphill…  Have enjoyed seeing the work activated by wind, rain and sunshine.  It tinkles, reflects in the inky water, and casts strong shadows. Have loved chatting to visitors and their dogs. I couldn’t dream of a better view for this work - across the sea to St Michael’s Mount, a tidal island, place of pilgrimage and the inspiration for the show.

Above and Below is a response to the entanglements of matter, rhizomic systems and debris that make up the strata we walk on. Interconnected lines of life, in a process of becoming, growing, ‘frothing and tangling and fusing.. layering and layering and layering…..’ (Merlin Sheldrake, Entangled Life). ‘Fungal networks lace woodland soil… slow stories… making and remaking…. Vascular systems of forest wisdom.’’ (Robert Macfarlane, Underland).

Above and Below, reclaimed and found materials including metal, wood, insects, twine, tree bark, pods, fishing net, roots, grasses, bones, pondweed, nest, aluminium, sisal,, botanically dyed fabric, wax, 2023

Above and Below, Wander_Land. Photo Russell Sach

Images above: Above and Below install, Opening Evening, Artist Talk and exhibition overview. Photo credits: 1,3 Mark Richards; 4 Rob Marshall; 5,10,11 Barbara Beyer; 8 Jane Jobling; 9,20 Seamus Moran; 14,19 Russell Sach; 16 Doug Burton; 17 Jo Hague.

Thanks to:

Jason Nosworthy and Mike Belcher for helping me install; Seamus and Jo Moran for their hospitality all week during and post install; Jane Jobling and other exhibiting artists; Neil Armstrong & team at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens; Martin Holman for his help curating; Arts Council England for my DYCP award which enabled me to develop this work to an ambitious scale; Mark Devereux Projects for mentoring support this year.

If you haven’t yet, do visit!  And see @wanderland2023 for more..

My year of ACE DYCP has now come to an end, but I will be continuing in the same vein towards a more sustainable practice, taking risks, exploring and developing further.

I was delighted to see my work settled in its new home. Above and Below I (mixed media collage) looks fabulous framed up so beautifully, and in a perfect spot. I’ll now be focusing on new work for Somerset Open Studios (16 Sept - 1 Oct). In the meantime, if you’d like to purchase any of my works please visit my shop.

Above and Below 1, mixed media collage

Opening Event Invite, Wander_Land

I’m delighted to invite you to the Opening Event of Wander_Land, a major exhibition at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens & Gallery, Cornwall, with Royal Society of Sculptors members.  I've created two new works for the show.  The Opening Evening is on 30th June, 6-8pm, and the exhibition runs from 1st July - 5th August, with events. Please see here for further details.

I hope you can make it!  

Ongoing

Design for Flags of the Forest - ongoing work

As one thing ends, another begins… and so we go on.

Thanks to all who visited my recent solo exhibition, supported, and bought work! :-) I had such a special time meeting new visitors and friends, catching up, talking art and all things related. See more about my residency and solo in my previous blog posts.

A few events on the horizon:

I’m involved in the Quantock Poetry Trail, led by Ralph Hoyte, (worked with me in step in stone). We're showing our work in Measureless at Studio 10, East Quay, Watchet, a film comprising spoken word and visual art. My Flags of the Forest was partly inspired by walks with the group, and some of my images and words will feature. It runs 1-23 April. Readings eve: 22 April, 7-9pm.

Join me for 2 Heart-making sculpture workshops this Thursday 6 April, and 4 May, at the Art Bank, Shepton Mallet, 10.30am-12.30pm. Help me create the heart of the Community Spirit living sculpture! We’ll be using found and recycled materials to make the giant’s heart, to be installed in Shepton this summer. No need to book.. Just turn up!

I’m taking part in a Pecha Kucha at Shatwell Farm, Bruton, Somerset on Friday 14 April, 6.30pm. Creatives speak about their practices in quick succession ‘to foster new connections... an opportunity to exchange ideas with one another’. Join us if you can! Book your place here

My work (design above) has been selected for Stone Lane Gardens Sculpture Exhibition 2023, and Ashburner Prize; opening 1 June, it runs throughout the summer. The spectacular 5 acre woodland is on the edge of Dartmoor National Park.

Thrilled to be taking part in Wander_Land this summer, with Royal Society of Sculptors SW group members at Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens & Gallery, Cornwall. We’ll be showing new work about landscape and wandering. Runs 1 July-5 Aug. PV 30 June, 6-8pm. I’m developing Flags of the Forest into an outdoor series for Wander_Land. Sculptural lines and layered fields of colour will be activated by the elements: solid vertical hoists contrasting soft hangings, hand-stitched patchworks of semi-translucent materials that will hang at different heights. This film shows my process so far ↓.

Above and Below, my second (indoor) piece to be shown at Wander_Land

Behind the scenes I’ve been working with the steering group, my focus being PR and our instagram feed. Do follow @wanderland2023 for more..

Thanks to Mark Devereux (MDP) for his sensitive mentoring so far as part of my DYCP award.

For the past year I’ve been art tutoring young people at home. I was delighted that 2 had 6 of their artworks selected for the Black Swan Young Arts Open Exhibition, and 1 won a prize in his age category.

If you’re interested in a 1-to-1 or group workshop let me know!

Other events and links:

I was so glad I got to London last week to catch Cecilia Vicuna’s Brain Forest Quipu and Magdalena Abakanowicz’s Every Tangle of Thread and Rope at the Tate. Both inspired by forests. The latter particularly inspiring: highly dramatic environments of enormous bulky forms, suspended so that ropes spill across the floor, shadows, deep rich earthy tones.. Also saw Maria Bartuszova’s delicate plaster sculptures, wandered around the Object/Materials collection, and visited V & A to see Africa Fashion - a brilliant show!

Attended a tour of The New Bend, Hauser & Wirth Somerset by curator Legacy Russell last weekend, very eloquent.

So sad to to learn of Phyllida Barlow’s death last month. A huge loss to the art world. She was a great inspiration.

A-N report ‘Structurally F-cked ’on the ‘systematically flawed art world… the only people not paid were the artists, the content providers….small fee.. huge workload… the fee per hour worked out as pennies..’

Aerial African Studies by Edward Burtynsky