Merry Christmas and a Happy, Healthy New Year!

A few updates to round off the year:

Exciting news!  I’ve been selected for a commission with SEED and First Bus.  I will be working with the community to co-create artworks to be installed on First Buses across Sedgemoor in 2021.   It will be something a bit different to my usual work, and will stretch me in new ways.   More details coming soon…

Our travelling group exhibition is getting more compelling as plans develop.  Inch by IN:CH is an artist-led project for ‘21, bringing contemporary art out of studios and galleries and into communal areas of our everyday lives.  Small-scale works in cases will be transported from place to place, migrating outwards in a spiral.  11 artists will engage with local communities through workshops, talks and performances.  We’re looking for match-funding for our ACE application, so if you can help in any way, financially or in-kind, do let me know!

My latest piece The Fall is almost at the point where I can call it ‘finished’ (see previous post for details).   A quote from The Overstory (Richard Powers) sums up my thinking: ‘Trees talk to one another... through the networked soil... Mats of mycorrhizal cabling link trees into gigantic, smart communities... there are no separable events. The bird and.. branch.. are a joint thing.. linked creatures..’  Human frailty, greed, the Icarus factor, is the sorrow.

The Fall in progress: steel, copper, found wood, wool, sisal, twine, rope, leaves, feathers, naturally dyed cotton, wax..

My work is on sale at the Artisan Christmas Market, ACE Arts, Somerton.  I will be invigilating there tomorrow (Saturday 19 Dec) - do come and say hello if you’re in the area, and maybe consider buying some hand-made Christmas gifts :-)

Small and Affordable (Frome) is Black Swan Arts’ fundraising exhibition with 100% going towards keeping the wonderful Black Swan Arts alive.  All works are under £300 and under 30cm sq. There are some great pieces for sale donated by artists, for a great cause.

My offering: New Beginnings, found and recycled paper, wax, steel, copper.

My next Online Sculpture Course runs 11 Jan-14 Feb.  If you’d like to learn new 3d skills using sustainable materials, or know someone who does, please visit this link. Places are filling up so book asap!  It could make a stimulating start to the New Year and/or a Christmas present for someone who wants to get more creative ;-)

Also, it’s your last chance to benefit from a 10% discount offer to friends and supporters in my online Shop  (ends Sat 19 Dec)! 

Red Line Art Works trophy. Photo by Jason Bryant

On a positive note, here are a few special moments from this year:

A bronze trophy arrived in the post for winning the Red Line Art Works global award!

Despite most of my exhibitions and commissions being cancelled, I took my work online, launched a sculpture course and made several films. I was lucky to receive ACE funding for Life in the Undergrowth.  

I showed at the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, curated by Robert and Nicky Wilson, Jupiter Artland. The pangolin mask I made out of cotton offcuts, dyed with avocado pits, all hand-sewn, has come in very handy.  I feel acutely sad for the plight of pangolins. I’ve scaled back my Christmas cards this year and instead donated to Flora and Fauna to help pangolins, who are being slaughtered en mass to the point of becoming endangered. 

Exhibition trips, seeing my son, other family and friends in between lockdowns, making art and being in the garden have kept me sane. I’ve learnt more about resilience, and the importance of being kind to nature, and each other.

Goodbye to an extraordinary year which has deeply affected us all.  Looking forward to turning the corner!  

Wishing you a very Happy Christmas and here’s to a better, healthier year in 2021!

Do keep in touch via my social media channels:

Instagram fionacampbellartist

Facebook Fiona Campbell Art

Twitter @fionasculpture

Best wishes and take care,

Fiona x

The Fall

The Fall (detail) - work in progress

The changing seasons here in UK are a poignant reminder of life’s cycle.  Falling leaves reveal skeletal structures of trees, signifying loss, decay, repression.  In this beauty there is sadness, but also hope and promise.

In Cranmore woods, where rusty autumn leaves thickly cover the ground, I found a couple of fallen trees.  Ripped from the ground, their exposed roots are a mass of interconnecting lines.  My drawings led to new sculptural work, in progress. 

Playing with lines, The Fall is a drawing in space using locally sourced, to-hand-materials: steel rod, copper wire, found wood, wool, sisal, leaves… I’ve been collecting feathers - picking them up wherever I go.  Waxing and burning them produces interesting results.  I’m thinking about Icarus, roots, life’s interconnectedness and lines that ‘give us life.’ (Life of Lines, Tim Ingold).  I’m reading a book The Overstory (Richard Powers) about trees, connections and human/nature conflict.  My thoughts often return to Donna’s Haraway’s phrase staying with the trouble - sticking with the entanglements of life.

Shepton On Show 

Last month I was involved in Shepton On Show - a community event organised by The Art Bank, involving window performances around Shepton Mallet.  I had fun creating a large scale backlit performative drawing in the window of One Craft Gallery in 2 hours, linked to The Big Draw.  Made with egg ink on paper (170 x 180cms), people watched it emerge, alongside other performances. 

The slideshow documents the event from prep drawing to live version.  It was inspired by my @life_intheundergrowth project. 

Exhibition News 

3 film stills from from my film Life in the Undergrowth are showing in the Being Human New Worlds Exhibition.  The work was displayed outside Queen Mary University of London last week and is currently online.  The exhibition shares people's experiences of Covid-19, and the Festival reflects on the radical global changes of 2020, from the Covid-19 pandemic to the Black Lives Matter protests and US election.

Our Somerset Reacquainted exhibition at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury has been extended until 16 January. Once lockdown has lifted, do try to visit if you can, it’s a very moving experience.

Shop

I have developed a little sideline making small copper bowls, each annealed and hammered, plus other copper goodies, ideal for Christmas gifts and copper wedding anniversaries. The bowls are on sale at Hauser & Wirth Somerset’s new Durslade Farm Shop, Somerset, where you can buy locally made quality artisan eco products and foodstuffs.  Very pleased that they are selling well :-)

I’ve added a Shop to my website, which includes these, together with affordable drawings, small sculptures, prints and cards.  Enjoy a browse and if there’s anything you’d like to see added, please get in touch.

A few projects and exhibitions are in the planning stages for 2021. As part of an artist group IN:CH (Incubation Chamber), we are excited with developments for our travelling exhibition next year.  Inch by IN:CH is an artist-led project bringing contemporary art out of the protected space of studios and galleries and into communal areas of our everyday lives.  Small-scale works in cases will be transported from place to place, migrating outwards in a spiral. Artists will engage with local communities through workshops, talks and performances.  We’re seeking match-funding prior to our ACE application.  If you’re able to support in any way do please get in touch.

Next Online Sculpture Course

After the success of this year’s Online Sculpture Course, I’m running one from 11 Jan - 14 Feb ’21. It’s a 5 week course to create a nature-inspired sculpture using found & recycled materials. Aimed at adults, art students, teachers and those who want to get creative, it’s suitable for mixed abilities.  This showreel gives you a flavour of my work and Introduces the course.  Places are limited so book now if interested! To enrol (and receive your free tools list) e: fionacampbell-art@sky.com . It might make a nice Christmas present ;-)

I am thrilled to be featured in The Arts Society winter magazine about my sculpture workshops with art teachers! It was great to be involved in the initiative!

I was invited to run a wire sculpture bugs workshop at Preston School, Yeovil last week.   I really enjoyed being back in school working with young people face to face after so many months.  Students made a lovely range of small creatures.

Stay safe!

Latest Projects

In the garden during Open Studios. Photo by Jason Bryant

I had a wonderful fortnight spending quality time with those who managed to get to my Open Studio, part of Somerset Open Studios 2020, in sunshine or rain. I’m really grateful to all my visitors. Along with making a few sales and new leads, I had some really great conversations. Below is a slideshow of the event and some of the feedback:

Fiona reminds us that the sharp divide between the living and the dead is not sharp at all (G.Dunlop)

Love how the garden informs the work and are one (R.Newnham)

A beautiful early autumn day in your magical garden; love seeing the ‘established’ works now blended into the landscape while the new pieces take shape on the lawn.  Your new processes - scorching, hanging, collecting - are fascinating.  Always something more to be found beyond the immediate (V.Keemar)

Thank you, Fiona, for bringing such beauty into our world. Goodness know we need it.  We are Nature and Nature is us.  Your work is inspirational (S.Herfet)

Absolutely divine - I adore your work and garden.  Such beauty and tenderness.  I love the organic nature of your art.  Soothes my sore soul. Thank you (T.Potts)

Really inspiring, fascinating to see the range of your ideas and commitments.  Truly value your references to world and global issues and your totally fascinating ways of interpreting and bringing it to our attention, as well as making beauty.  Thanks you for sharing (S.Hulejczuk)

Somerset Reacquainted continues at Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury until 21 November, Wed-Sat, 10-5 (booking required). Images and objects from my lockdown project Life in the Undergrowth feature in this exhibition, along with work by 62 other Somerset artists. I took part in a podcast with other artists on Friday 2 October. You can listen to it here. Great to see the exhibition featured on BBC Points West.

Earlier this month I installed a new sculpture Blackbird above the entrance to The Art Bank, Shepton Mallet. It features in a Bird Trail around the town, commissioned by Shepton Town Council. 7 artists have created British bird sculptures using natural and recycled materials for a 2 month free art trail for the public to enjoy.

Blackbird 95cm (L) x 68cm (H) x 34cm (D) aprx, recycled and found steel, tin, copper wire, plastic

On Friday 23 October, 6-8pm I’ll be taking part in Shepton on Show,  organised by The Art Bank in the centre of Shepton Mallet.   I’ll be doing a large-scale backlit performative drawing, linked to the worldwide drawing festival The Big Draw: Climate of Change, in One Craft Gallery, Shepton town centre. There will be surreal fantasy window performances around the town by local businesses and individuals. Come along and watch fantastical performances in windows - a celebration of the creativity in Shepton.  Free (safe) fun :-).

Prepping for Shepton on Show

I recently went to London for Frieze Art Week. 2 days visiting exhibitions and another day at Centre of Gravity, Bristol has sated my need to see some contemporary art in person. Images below: Frieze Sculpture, Regents Park: Arne Quinze, Lubaina Himid, Gazelli Art House, Sarah Lucas; Endless Column IV, Cornelia Parker, Frith Street Gallery: immaculately flattened silverware suspended just above ground - so beautiful; Giuseppe Penone, Among the Trees, Hayward Gallery: staggering pieces stood out; Off Grid, Olivia Bax, Standpoint Gallery; 6 Sculptures.., Anthony Caro, Annely Juda Gallery: I found connections between Bax’s work and Caro’s tabletop sculptures. Steel drawn lines against hollow biomorphic forms; line versus solid - perhaps because they’re qualities in my own work; Five Hides, curated by Thorp Stavri: incredible old Victorian swimming pool/boxing ring, now derelict - perfect for huge sculptural and textiles pieces; Centre of Gravity, old Gardiner Haskins building, Bristol: another monumental space ripe for contemporary art.

I had lovely interlude out sketching with my cousin in the sunshine in my local area of Somerset. I feel rejuvenated and ready to start experimenting in the studio again.

I’ll be running another online sculpture course in January. If you’d like details please get in touch.

A few other projects are in the pipeline - watch this space!

Take care :-)

New Film, Open Studio

Preparations for Somerset Open Studios. Photo: Seamus Nicolson

During the past few months, starting in the extraordinary silence of lockdown, I created a project LIfe in the Undergrowth.  I’m excited to have just completed a film as the final outcome (watch below).  In contrast to creating sculptural installations, I’m very much at the beginning of my crossing into digital technology and film-making. This film documents my isolation project and represents my first serious experiments with film-making.

Life in the Undergrowth, Digital Film - duration 10:33 mins. Audio: The Healing, Sergey Cheremisinov

Special thanks to Arts Council England/National Lottery Emergency Response fund, Richard Tomlinson (Ignite Somerset) and Jack Robson for their support.

Time Capsules, found objects: rusty nails, plastic, ceramic fragments, glass bottles, wood, chain, teeth, bones, plant debris, lead..

In advance of finishing the film, I created Time Capsules. The found objects are attached to each other with fine copper wire, like a net, suspended on a steel structure. They were excavated from the earth in my garden, each with a story - some known and others a mystery. During lockdown I dug up a lot of soil to make space for a studio bay. Some of the objects were buried quite deep... eg: giant molars from a large animal (horse, cow, sheep, rhinoceros..?!)  I borrowed the title from a phrase Cornelia Parker used to describe her work. The objects represent a moment in time, and time passing. Everything is connected. I love the shadows, which enhance the concept of time, memory, drawings, space.

For more about the project visit Instagram @life_intheundergrowth.

My Life in the Undergrowth project will be showing alongside some of my other work during Somerset Open Studios, opening next weekend (19 Sept - 4 Oct).  You’re welcome to visit by appointment.  This sunny start to autumn is perfect for a wander in the fresh air of my garden, and safe measures will be in place in the studio: Venue 70, West Cranmore, BA4 4RH. T: 07515537224 or E: fionacampbell-art@sky.com

Glimpses of work for Somerset Open Studios. Photos: Seamus Nicolson

To see other venues visit the SAW map

My work will also be showing at Somerset Rural Life Museum for Somerset Reacquainted. The exhibition involves 63 Somerset artists’ responses to lockdown, and brings together digital images, films, writings, objects and artworks.  Open 19 Sept - 21 Nov, Wed-Sat, 10-5 (pre-book, entrance fee applies).   There will be a series of podcasts.  I’ll be talking with other artists on Fri 2nd Oct, 6-7pm - hope you can join us.

I’ve been creating online resources and workshops for various creative projects, including SAW, Art UK and Make the Sunshine (image below). Links on my Workshops page.

Last month was taken up with running my 5 week Online Sculpture Course. I had an inspiring group of people from different parts of UK and Europe.  I was thrilled with their responses, energy, imagination resourcefulness and enthusiasm. The range of processes and different outcomes was amazing (see below)! If you’re interested in doing the course next year please email me your contact details and visit instagram #onlinesculpturecourse2020.

Images (above): work by participants: L to R clockwise: Gina Glover, Nicky Oram, Jenny Graham, Sarah Herfet

Images (above) L to R:  Nicki Davey, Louise Wood, Belinda Cooper, Nicky Oram, Diana Terry, Gina Glover, Sarah Herfet, Louise Wood, Trudy Smith, Karen Chard, Sonia Hulejczuk, Maxine Alexander

Quotes from participants:

My confidence has blossomed..  I've soooo enjoyed this course! Sarah Herfet

This course gave me the inspiration and… impetus to actually… create something.  It also gave me ideas that I wouldn’t otherwise have thought about. Nicki Davey

It was a joy to find books and ideas which connected my experience as a maker within the context of contemporary fine art. Diana Terry

It has been a joy making and sharing. Nicky Oram

Brilliantly delivered by Fiona, through her weekly blogs/zoom and Whats App presentations. Gina Glover 

It’s the last week of the Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Exhibition - if you’re in London don't miss it! The Exhibition has been guest curated by Robert and Nicky Wilson, founders of Jupiter Artland. I visited it in August and loved it! It’s a really vibrant, playful visceral show with a range of large and smaller intriguing works. My piece Accretion is a tentacular form - a metaphor for waste. The show is on until 18 September, Mon-Fri, 11am-5pm, Royal Society of Sculptors, 108 Old Brompton Road, London SW7 3RA

It would be great to see you at my Open Studio.

Keep well :-)

July News

Life's become a bit hectic once again with an influx of work, making films for online workshops and the #onlinesculpturecourse2020 I’m running.   

As a result, my own creative output has slowed down considerably in the past few weeks.  The glut of found objects (nails, ceramic remnants, glass, bones, metal components..) I excavated from digging a huge mound of earth in my garden became the focus for a new piece (currently untitled). The finds - each with their own history - have been attached onto a 3d net construction.   Loving their wonderful state of decay. Like fossils, they have fired my imagination. The digging is to make space for an outdoor studio area - still in progress! 

I’ve also started making a film for @life_intheundergrowth and hope to have this completed by September, when I open my studio (by appointment) for Somerset Open Studios (19 Sept - 4 Oct).

My pond's finally been cleaned out by garden designer Mark Belcher (after 14 years!) so the fish, frogs and newts are happier now. The complex root systems of the pond plants had taken over. Such a mass of interconnected lines. 

There’s still time to visit the following live exhibitions:

Royal Society of Sculptors Summer Exhibition (Dora House, 108 Old Brompton Rd, London SW7 3RA, til 18 Sept, Mon-Fri, 11-5).  This year’s show has been selected by Nicky and Robert Wilson of @jupiterartland 

Incendiary at Pound Arts, (Corsham, SN13 9HX, til 7 Aug, open Tues, Thur, Fri 11-4; and 

About Trees at Heritage Courtyard Gallery, (6 Heritage Courtyard, Sadler St, Wells, BA5 2RR, by appointment).  

My work has also been selected for Hauser & Wirth's Homegrown online exhibition now live.   10% of gross profits going to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund for the World Health Organization as part of #artforbetter,  

I’ve taken part in Somerset Reacquainted - a creativity-in-isolation project for Somerset Art Works members.  The project encourages artists to refresh their engagements with the locality, using the ideas of reacquaintance as a starting point to discover and re-discover the excitement and purpose in their artistic practice. 

Online Workshops:

Creativity Works 30 Day Challenge (19 Aug)

Art UK Home School (coming soon)

Somerset Art Works Family Friendly workshops (19 Sep-4 Oct)

Make the Sunshine - The Happiness Hunt challenge (end of Aug)

Coming Soon:

This year’s Somerset Open Studios (September 19th– October 4th) will be a digital extravaganza, with some venues (including mine) opening by appointment.