I’m keeping my fingers crossed about using certain studio space in Abergavenny that I have found…in a few weeks I should know if it’s a definite maybe! This is core to building momentum in my practice. I wrote myself very short instructions in the manner of the ‘How to work better’ poster by Fischli/Weiss, which I’d like to turn into a screen print at The Print Shed:
Practical is needed.
Make it happen.
Be brave (fail).
Screen the screen.
Jill Barnaby at the Print Shed is going to host my solo exhibition in September as a part of h.Art (Herefordshire Art week.) The PaperFields 2nd exhibition is a step closer yesterday after a meeting with a great gallery in Hay-on-Wye. Likely opening in April.
I’ve been working on the Framework time plan and have just made a funding application to support our website development and Magna Carta project.
I am working on my first project at Meadow Arts working on the marketing of the In Another Light exhibition fundraising event at Croft Castle (see http://www.meadowarts.org), taking place in a few months’ time. I am brushing up my InDesign skills and getting going.
This Saturday I had a long overdue trip to London. I saw the Late Turner – Painting Set Free at Tate Britain which is now in its last few days. I felt an overall sense of being able to breathe the air of the landscape he consumed by painting. The exhibition was very busy, often with people 4 deep in front of each wall and this contrasted with his work.
Next, I went to the Mall and visited the ICA. I had read about Fig.2 (http://fig2.co.uk/) in the papers in December and find the exhibition concept exciting – 50 events in 50 weeks, curated by Fatoş Üstek. When I visted (17th Jan) Charles Avery’s work was on display. The projection on the frame and wall was of a loop of circling birds – from fig.2 website:
His project at fig-2 unites different surfaces of reality through the collision of two and three dimensional forms, combining drawings, film and sculpture. Avery’s film uses dihedral figurations in motion that trace a pattern, which points to the constructs of time and space. This piece is a departure from Avery’s established practice, through the use of moving image and installation, which will be shown for the first time in the UK.
Planning another trip in a couple of weeks, so I’ll see what I find next time! Intriguing.
Next I failed to book ahead for the Rembrandt – The Late Works at the National Gallery – stupid –and so couldn’t get in. Had a wander through the galleries, then on the National Portrait Gallery where my feet led me (Brains in my feet!) to the Lord Snowdon rooms. I found myself fascinated with a book featuring Tokio sculpture, 1964, by Eduardo Paolozzi. (Can’t easily find an image of it online)
My last stop was back to the National Gallery where I found the Peder Balke exhibition – more landscapes but this time Norweigen. Particularly enjoyed his Tree in Wintry Forest – this photo, as usual, doesn’t go it justice!
Also Sun breaking though clouds at Vardoks , 1860-70’s, which I can’t find an image for, I have a little sketch I did while in front of it.
The overall work was somewhere between these 2 of Balke’s I’ve found online.
I feel revived by what I found in London on Saturday and have booked ahead for a few weeks’ time. Next time I’ll try not to fit so much in, which is a pitfall of living away from London. (Other art and culture dense places are also on my wish-to-visit list: Cardiff and Birmingham soon– recommendations welcome!)
