I’ve just left David, Sarah and the Gotland artists mid flow – installing the show opening this Sunday. The Exhibition Space has seen a variety of hangs but this one is v different. 30 artists, members of the Gocart Gallery have made work inspired by the sea. An island of work suspnded at various heights from the ceiling, hover and float above eye level. Only a few pieces were installed, inlcuding a pair of buckets welded together and covered in teats alongside a beautifully crafted black leather fish. Can’t wait to see th rest!
Blimey, the crate from Gotland arrived today. I wasn’t around to receive it but it has been carefully unpacked and dismantled. 30 artists are showing work and apparently the contents are v interesting. www,harringtonmllstudios.co.uk
We tested the Old Theatre Deli tapas last night for the’Drink and Draw’ event to be held in September by Southwell Artists. The food was delicious and the service excellent. We needed somewhere to seat 100 people so the Deli ticks all the boxes. The event will take place in September and we hope to sell tickets at about £10 – £12/head to include one tapas and a glass of wine. The idea is to move round the table and draw our neighbours. I missed the previous D & D as it took place before I joined the group. By all accounts everyone had a great time.
CRazy week. 3 pvs and 2 birthdays has meant 5 evenings out. The first pv was last Saturday to see Sheila Ravnkilde’s work in a 2-person show at the Tarpey. 48 boxes in an array of colours/surfaces are arranged in a grid… this piece hums and the colours sing. Whilst I have seen the work in the context of the studio, this piece is site specific. The scale perfectly suits the intimate gallery space. There are subtle surprises including shadows cast by the boxes. The place was packed so I’m going back for another look. The other pvs were both degree shows in Nottingham. Nottingham University runs a part time degree course and this years Fine Art show is at the Djanogly Gallery. Briefly … Paula Mcann’s pin drawing and her cascading wall piece are highlights. Though generally I think the work is mature, well considered and thoughtful. Good show. One obesrvation though – it is quite monochromatic. The final show at Notts Trent on the other hand is youthful, edgy and on the verge… Alex Pain’s sculpture’s are beautifully executed – taming his materials in an unexpected and seductive way. Painting or rather the material qualities of paint are deconstructed by several students. Manipulating, sculpting, animating, dripping and dropping – this traditional medium is being abused in a healthy manner. I only managed a breif snapshot of the show because I was late-ish and met a lot of friends at the event. But I thoroughly enjoyed the energy, variety and intelligent offerings. I have to say I am slightly disappointed at the lack of painting. Maybe there will be a serious rebellion and watercolours will make a comeback ;)
No news is good news! Steady is welcome and ‘normal’ is king. Potting plants, sewing buttons, taking bad photos, burning sausages and even the odd rejection letter … all gloriously mundane. The case ticks on but atm we enjoy a lull, before the storm in July. HMS is part of the NotLost festival in Nottingham when music, poetry, performance and the visual arts will shine in the city during the month of July. Although our Swedish friends from Go/c/Art Gallery will be over in June I’m hoping we can highlight their show, ‘Halfway to Russia and other Eastbound Horizons’ in the promo. One of the outcomes from Chicago is an invitation to participate in the collaboration, ‘Messages Lost In Time’. 55 invited artists will generate 55 prints each. An exchange of work will result in participating artists receiving a limited edition of 55 pieces of art. We hope to be showing the collection at HMS during 2012 whilst other venues are being sought for a show in the US. We are already looking ahead to Seoul next year. Not sure whether it will be May or October. We are waiting to hear. A few of us from HMS are saving up to go to the pv.
