06 May 14

Introducing me and my work!

Hello … :) It has been a while since I have had a blog….I decided now would be a pretty time to have one again as I’m trying to develop my work more, and gain abit more exposure as an artist. Below I ‘ve introduced myself …

A couple years back I completed a degree in Fine and Applied Arts at Canterbury Christchurch University, where I specialised in glass and ceramics – I am fascinated by the combination of these materials and the unusual effects that can be produced.

As well as this I have a real passion for drawing; often creating photographic pen and pencil drawings of animals and intricate buildings. I am also interested in the idea of integrating drawings into three dimensional works.

Greatly inspired by magical artefacts (I am a regular visitor at the Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford; which provides endless ideas), I often integrate hidden decorative parts for the viewer to discover, I want them to be surprised and intrigued. Artists who inspire me are Steve Dilworth, Pascal Verbena, Theo Jansen and Grayson Perry to name a few – I constantly come across artists/ designers whose work astounds me and renews my passion for the creative arts.

I put a lot of myself into my work – it is very personal, spiritual and philosophical to me, although this may not be obvious to the viewer.

 

I’ve just up loaded an image of the drawing that I entered into the ‘Drawn Together’ Exhibition…it is now displayed in the Hat Factory in Luton until 31st March. I’ve explained it below, and how it fits in with the exhibition theme ‘Community.’

In a world where there are many religions and ideas about spirituality, I wished to form a drawing that conveyed the sense that people in each town, city or village, with their varying opinions, ideas and attitudes all add up to form one diverse and cultured community. These differences should help us learn from each other and grow as individuals, as opposed to focusing on more negative aspects, such as disagreements.

I drew this with the different faiths/ communities of Luton in mind, on the left you can see the Islamic Mosque, the Sikh Gurdwara is seen in the centre and the Christian church shown on the right hand side. Through the drawing I wanted to break down the barriers of society and bring all faiths together – intermingled as one large community.  In the background on the left the top of Beech Hill Primary School is also visible, representing another part of the community.

Within the drawing I have picked out certain aspects of the places of worship – such as the Islamic symbolism, shown on the mosque and the stained glass windows in the church  – I wanted to depict the beauty (both complex and subtle) that represent these religions.

The idea of religion and spirituality is an area that I am presently exploring through my work; it is something that holds a strong and powerful resonance with me, as well as many others.  I believe that this enables people to feel a connection with my work, as it is something everyone can relate to.

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16 April 15

 

Here is a sneak preview of my work that was published in ‘Art Ascent’s’ magazine  before ive brought a copy of it… This time its glass and ceramics work that’s has been selected – which I entered under the theme ‘Magnificence.’ Below I’ve included my artist statement – in which I speak of the materials and the process/ techniques use, and how these pieces fit into the theme…. … When creating these pieces I researched relics and spirituality – I was interested in forming subtle, intimate shrines dedicated to people (including my ancestors, family, friends and the unknown). I wished to create potent, yet beautiful work to represent them.
To do this I decided to use glass and ceramics to produce a hoard of unique and fascinating pieces – as these two materials combine to form some striking effects – including the crazing and cracking of the glass (caused because of the different shrinkage rates of the materials when they are fired). As well as this glass is highly reflective and catches the light – giving it a precious quality; in particular the dichroic glass I have used in the pieces shown is even more eye catching, as depending on the lighting conditions it changes colour – which gives a special, quite magical feel to it.
The glass in these pieces is a rainbow of colours; there are tints of red, yellow, purple…quite a kaleidoscope; which in my view makes it seem all the more magnificence – providing such a multitude of colours for your eyes to take in.Within these works I am striving towards creating something sublime – attempting to reach something spiritual and other worldly through what I create. I wish these pieces to be raw and have a resonating impact on viewers – enabling them to feel some connection with my work and the essence of who we are as human beings.

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07 May 14

I’ve been doing a bit of research on other artists and people in general who are intrigued by magic.

It turns out that a fair few well known artists are related to magic and such things. Including William Turner, Pablo Picasso and Josef Beuys.

Turner, who ‘encouraged perceptions of himself as someone whose pictures evolved through a process of mysterious wizardry..’ (Tate Britain, 2014)

He is said to have been ‘Likened to the alchemist of legend capable of tranforming base materials into gold.’ (Tate Britain, 2014)

The way inwhich each of these artists relate to magic is in a different way – I will look at the others in a future post, and go on to discuss each one more.

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