Today was a bit of a non-day. To be honest my failed experiments yesterday knocked me a bit (thanks for your supportive words, Kate:))
Saying that I did achieve a lot of practical things, organising, clearing my space and thinking about starting a new statement (I’m taking it slow!)
I am guilty of forgetting to value these practical things, and they are important because without them the creative things couldn’t happen.
I wanted to put some images up today of my final(ish) selection of drawings, but I have mislaid my camera cable, grrr. I promise a gallery of new stuff next week!
For now, our invite for you one and all!
Yesterday I did some experiments in the morning photocopying over some of the drawings I have been producing. I didn’t think this was successful and I ruined a drawing that I really liked. It is hard when that happens, when you go too far and spoil something, and I am working in such a minimal way that if you over step the mark there is no wrestling it back.
Ho hum
In the evening a few of us attended Zeitgeist Arts talk about writing artist statements and talking about your work. It was really useful and got me especially thinking about the importance of titles; they pointed out that when people are selecting work from jpgs the title can catch the eye and stick in peoples memory.
However there are works were a title would be inappropriate, Catrine’s work for instance; to give her abstract painting (produced through spontaneous marks and responding to each change on the canvas) titles would encourage a figurative reading of a purely abstract image.
But,I think I have titles for my plug works, they are pretty cheeky!
Got stuck in today, and produced some drawings I am really excited about. I am starting to get narratives going between the inanimate objects I am using, traffic cones, lampposts, stick, string. I am also finding it easier to start drawing, something that I always struggle with due to “blank page fear”, when there is nothing to distract me it is much quicker to get over.
Not long to go until we hang, just a week. We had a discussion about curation today and got a glimpse at everyones work for the show, there is a wide variety but everything is exciting, in fact my only worry is getting such strong pieces to all sit together happily!
Luckly, that is Matt’s job and he knows what he is doing
So, I now have a three year plan!
I had a crit with Matt yesterday about what to put in the exhibition but also about career stuff. It was really helpful partly because preparing for it got me writing down a plan for what I want to achieve over the next few years. It is amazing how writing stuff down clarifies exactly what you don’t want to do but feel like you should.
The rough outline goes something like, this year review old contacts and new and solidify networks. Sort out all publicity/statement/cv and produce a small publication
Next year, get together with people to put on group exhibitions plus apply for 4-6 solid and appropriate exhibition opportunities such as salons.
The year after continue this exhibition practice and aim to go on another residency, starting to think about building a relationship with the art scene in another country.
All this alongside mantaining and building on my gallery education work.
Having a clear direction makes me feel very positive about things.
Plus, it’s sunny!
Sunday I was invited to go to ELCAF the East London Comics and Arts festival. I’m interested in the world of small publishing and zines, partly because a few people have commented that my work might lend itself to publication but also because making trips around the galleries it has become clear that there is a trend towards producing small products to sell in the gallery shops. Small products also means that more people can own and enjoy your art work and they are more affordable and accessible.
So, I networked like crazy, asked lots of stupid questions because I know nothing about the word of comic books and picked up everyone’s card. I also took note of the kind of small products people were offering. People were SO friendly and eager to share their passion, it was truly inspiring.
My favourite exhibitor (and the standard was sky high, so I could list dozen of extremely talented people) was Stathis Tsemberlidis of Decadence Comics. I pick his work out particularly because of the abstract and surreal nature of his narratives which use no words and his beautifully delicate drawing style. The space he leaves for interpretation and the visceral content made my experience of his work more akin to engaging with a artwork rather than a graphic novel/comic
I bought Upheaval and Neptune’s Fungi
http://www.decadencecomics.com/about
