I am currently frustrated with my "art practice" so I have decided to address my circumstances by changing my surroundings. For the next five weeks, i will be an artist based in "the West Bank". These are my adventures……
I spent my last week traveling in Jordan and Israel, enjoying the delights of the region. All the travelling I did during the last week meant I had to put my artwork on hold until i got back to London where i would pick it up again.
I am now back in London! Tis a strange feeling being back in the East End from the Middle East. I guess that is to be expected.
On reflection, my decision to relocate my practice and be creative within a new context was a good one, though it has brought own complications namely, adjusting to a different culture whilst attempting to create something substantial within a limited time frame.
The fact that the adjustment period was short-lived means that I am going to pick up where i left off in Jerusalem within the London context (though i now that Jerusalem is a better place for inspiration and creativity for this particular artwork).
On a brighter note, I definitely intend to return to Jerusalem in the near future… and this time i will spend a substantial period exploring my "relocated practice".
The last two days have been the epitome of my practice in London. I spent my time filling in application forms and writing proposals. I don’t particularly enjoy this part of what I do because it side-tracks me from what I really love to do. Yet, I am aware that without it I would not be the artist that I am today. On a different note, I am off to Jordan for a few days from tonight. Thought is should take a break from the and be a tourist for a bit, athough I am aware that my time here is rapidly running away from me.
Having been away travelling and collecting materials for my sculpturs over the weekend, it was a pleasure getting back to my sculptures. Unfortunately for me, i felt an overwhelming sense of disapointment when i got back to work. I just didn't like what i had created so I spent the day re-working the figures. Infact it is fair to say that i have completely re-done one of the sculptures. It feels like a set back but i know that in reality it is not. I have a clearer vision of what the end result should be so i should stick with it and trust that it will come together at some point. I am just aware that my" relocated practice" time is running out and i have to bear that in mind.
My need to update my blog in the last 7 days was superceded by my desire to create work. This particular moment feels like the appropriate time to reflect upon my week's acheivements. Sunday, Monday and Tuesday were spent working on the final sketch for the commission. It took all the energy out of me but I recieved good preliminary feedback. I then started working on new "everyman figures" on Wednesday and Thursday. I managed to create 3 figures (though still in their rough stages) whilst working from my room. The decision to work from home was an easy one. I guess it is familiar territory and the thought of having a studio for a couple of weeks seems ridiculous. Besides, it has made me realise that I can entertain the possibility of constantly relocating my practice and work under any conditions, anywhere in the world!
This is my first week of art making. I spent this morning shopping for art materials in Jerusalem. My plan is to start making miniature sculptures and do some writing. We'll see how it goes!
