What a joy to have spring sunshine and bulbs growing, after such miserable cold months in confinement. New beginnings bring hope!
It’s surprising what can be achieved under difficult circumstances. Time in lockdown has gone fairly quickly, as I’ve been working on several projects and finding alternative work solutions, although often computer bound.
In between, I’ve been developing new work in the studio, exploring ideas through collages, maquettes, sketches, and gathering materials. In contrast to my last piece The Fall (see previous posts), my next feels hopeful. Ideas are developing of ascending lines expanding beyond grid-like constrictions into lightness and recovery, though precarious. Yellow is my new colour depicting hope and optimism. I’ve been naturally dying and hand-stitching recycled textiles, rubber, latex, and plastic as patchworks of repair. Branching umbrella frames may become supporting skeletal structures.
A lot of the found and recycled materials I’m using have been sourced locally or donated by friends - thanks to those who’ve helped.
Short Film
A short film about my sculptural practice using textiles has been commissioned by Art UK, working in partnership with Culture Street and Royal Society of Sculptors. Due to covid and lockdown, it was delayed for a year. In the end, the artist interview was conducted over Zoom and I supplied footage. Aimed at schools, it’s one of 10 new film commissions about sculptors and their different processes, as part of a major initiative to put online UK’s sculpture collection. I’m honoured to be included in the series!
All The Colours
I’m one of the commissioned artists leading a community art project via Seed, called Art First. We are engaging the public in Sedgemoor, especially those who travel on buses.
‘Artists Fiona Campbell, Karl Bevis, Jem Dick and Sharon Jacksties are working on three projects, which will produce artworks co-created with Buses of Somerset passengers and staff and other members of the community. The finished works will be displayed on 30 buses across Sedgemoor. Covering multiple art forms from poetry through photography to collage, our artists will guide you through the process, giving you tips to find inspiration in your everyday lives to create something magical. All creations can be submitted and your submissions will then be combined into artworks to be exhibited on the buses and online.’
In my project All The Colours I’m inviting people to create a collage in one dominant colour, reflecting on their responses to a bus journey, the past year, a particular experience, mood, feeling, moment, personal or global memory. The images will be part of a co-created artwork which will be transformed into a hologram chameleon. This will change colours at different viewpoints and will be featured on 30 buses for passengers and community to enjoy.
I’ll be running FREE workshops, there’ll be prizes and an online exhibition. Below is a slideshow I made to offer examples of collages in a dominant colour.
For further info and to participate please visit my page All The Colours. If you’re based in Sedgemoor, and/or have travelled on buses in the area, please get involved and spread the word!
Inch by IN:CH
I’m part of an artist-led travelling project Inch by IN:CH, bringing contemporary art out of galleries and into community areas across South West UK. Between May-October ’21, 11 artists will each present mixed media works including painting, light projections, assemblage and sculptural installations, transported in cases from one place to the next. At each location artists will engage the public through activities (covid protocol in place).
The locations we’ve chosen are unexpected venues for art. One of our venues, East Somerset Railway, is in my village. Our finale venue will be at the Gauge Museum, Bishops Lydeard Station, West Somerset Railway, the longest heritage railway in England. We will show our work in the newly restored museum, in one of two remaining Victorian Sleeper cars, and spilling out onto the platform. These popular venues for families and train enthusiasts are evocative, meaningful settings for art about transportation of ideas.
We’re so grateful to sponsors including The Arts Society, Somerset Art Works, The Gane Trust, individuals and supportive venues: East and West Somerset Railways, Fringe Arts Bath and Found Outdoors. We’ve submitted our Arts Council funding application, so fingers crossed we receive this crucial support to bring free programming and events to mixed audiences.
Online Sculpture Course
I recently finished running my second online Sculpture Course. The focus is on nature, using recycled and found materials. Participants produced some awesome work, sourcing their own found materials, and finding so many ways to use them creatively.
Images: Jinny Jehu; Gwynne Penny; Barbara Griffin; Magdalena Musanovi
To see more please visit Instagram: #onlinesculpturecourse2021
Let me know if you’re interested in my next course (dates TBC).
Inspiration
Online meetings and talks have been convenient, with the benefit of international reach. Through zoom I’ve loved connecting with fellow artists. Royal Society of Sculptors meet-ups and new weekly sculptors drawing sessions have been helpful to focus and free the mind. We are currently working on an exciting group exhibition.
The Overstory, a book by Richard Powers, has inspired new work: There are no separable events. The bird and.. branch.. are.. linked creatures..; ‘reiterated trunks .. shooting up parallel like the fingers of a Buddha’s upraised hand.. tufted spires… swirled in the gauze of a Chinese landscape… fungi and lichen everywhere, like splatters of paint from a heavenly can’
Other relevant resources:
Tim Ingold: Facing the Anthropocene: Life is always creating itself.. Lines are animate... I’ve started Tim’s book Life of Lines, and also The Mushroom at the End of the World (Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing)
James Aldridge: Queer Rivers Art Earth: Where does a river stop? Everything is fluid, interconnecting….
Phyllida Barlow: Small works made with the minimum of ambition... Sculpture is a restless art form…
Artists inspiring me: above left to right: Giulia Cenci; Daiga Grantina; Monika Sosnowska; Janet Echelman
Other News
I’m part of the Solargraphic Society of Somerset (Mendip area) organised by Janette Kerr. I put up my pin-hole can camera with light sensitive paper in my garden and look forward to the results in 2 months.
My Bulrushes are now installed in their new home in the midlands (left: pic in snow)
Delighted that my Blackbird sculpture (commissioned by Shepton Mallet Town Council for a Bird Trail last autumn) has been selected as a permanent feature above The Art Bank entrance in the town centre.
Forthcoming Events
Inch by IN:CH a travelling project considering transition, interchange and the transportation of ideas. Various venues, South West UK, 28 May - 3 Oct
Royal Society of Sculptors 10 gram Challenge exhibition: 28 June – 18 Sept
I’ll be giving an online talk via Red Line Art Works on 25 March, 7pm (GMT). If you’d like to join the talk, please register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApcuiurzkvHtFe6fjc4ZqzB2doWh5SiyNu
In support of the Arts, please visit the Art Is Essential campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of the Arts to a healthy society.
This past year has been a huge jolt to us, and despite the sad and tragic happenings, I’m hopeful that we have come out of it stronger and better.
