solo exhibition, photo by Russell Sach
Over 60 people joined me last Saturday at the Opening Event of my solo exhibition, the culmination of a 3-week residency in the large empty shop space (Create@#8, Shepton Mallet, Somerset ). I've been developing work related to our natural world, and its continuous entanglements, (part of my Arts Council England DYCP award, which also supported my recent research trip to Kenya). I’ve loved my residency - it was a luxury being able to spill out, expand and respond to the space, with its wonderful pale pink plaster walls and exposed ceiling structures. I managed to ‘complete’ a new sculpture and other pieces. I’ve now transformed the space into a gallery, comprising sculptural installations, drawings, collages, sketchbooks and the in-between - a range of suspended, wall-mounted and free-standing works. An evocative soundscape enhances the experience, created in response to my work by Ushara Dilrukshan. Massive thanks to Amanda Hirst and Gill Sakakini (SMart CIC) for their support during my residency. Thanks to all who attended my Opening, to Polly Hall and Jack Robson for helping at the bar, and Doug Siddons for kindly loaning his sound system. And I’m immensely grateful to photographer Russell Sach for his superb photos of the event.
I’d love you to come to my exhibition, now extended for another week, open Monday-Saturday, 11am-4pm, until 25 March.
Solo Exhibition, photos by Russell Sach
Visitor comments include:
'I really enjoyed discovering your work yesterday, being able to turn the pages of your sketchbooks, see your process and walk around your wonderfully poetic installations.’
‘Stunning new exhibition by Fiona Campbell.. launched today, which really takes advantage of this new gallery space. Both the building and Fiona’s work are deconstructed and reconstructed into thought provoking and inspirational new forms, immersed in a mesmerising soundscape by Ushara Dilrukshan.’
‘Fabulous exhibition. You’ve made a gallery of evocative, found, salvaged things. Love the hanging down and reaching up’.
‘..Fiona Campbell's work.. was surprisingly moving… it seemed to pull me in, coupled with the background soundscape, the piece that particularly drew me was ‘The Fall’. Based on the myth of Icarus, the burnt feathers dangling from the branches somehow spoke of sadness but also the hope of transformation; there was so much life & hope in walking around these pieces.’
‘..thought provoking and beautiful in an unexpected way’
‘Very engaging… love the hangings’
‘Beautiful work using nature and recycled elements to portray something deeper. Really enjoyed the music in the background too, fitting the tone for the pieces.’
Last chance to book a space on my Eco Sculpture Workshop!
Alongside my exhibition I’ll be running an Eco Sculpture Workshop on Saturday, 18 March, 2-4pm.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eco-sculpture-workshop-tickets-524375831227
It was fun to chat to Matt Faulkner on BBC Radio Somerset, 15 March
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0f4mrkv. Listen from 3:44-4:02
‘Human exploitation of nature and the climate crisis dominate Fiona Campbell's work ‘
Delighted with this article about my work by Fiona Keating on Creative Boom’s website:
https://www.creativeboom.com/inspiration/fiona-campbell/
Thanks to Theresa Simon for the introduction, which led to an interview.
Delighted to have my work selected for Stone Lane Gardens 2023 Sculpture Exhibition/Ashburner Prize. The exhibition runs throughout the summer from June. The last time I exhibited in these beautiful gardens was over a decade ago.
Other Current and Forthcoming Exhibitions:
Darkness to Hope, Atkinson Gallery, Millfield, Street, Somerset BA16 0YD, 27 Feb-30 March, Mon-Thurs 9.30am-5pm
Measureless, East Quay 1-23 April. Launch 1 April 6-8pm. Readings eve: 22 April 7-9pm. Linked to the Quantock Poetry Trail led by Ralph Hoyte.
Wander_Land, Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens & Gallery, Cornwall. New work by Royal Society of Sculptors SW group about landscape and walking, 1 July-5 Aug