I am now based in London and the first week at Chelsea College of Art has meant challenging my practice and making work that does not resemble the usual form or content of my work. So for now, the graphite powder wall and paper drawings as below are on hold….
The new work will be made on porcelain tablets. Watch this space….
As I’ve not posted in a while I thought a bit of reflection was in order (as is tradition). Here’s how 2011 was for me. Enjoy!
January….
……always starts with a feast.
February…..
…was about preparation.
March…
……”unseen” exhibition at High Bridge Street.
April…..
…I made a decision to broaden horizons and study postgraduate fine art at Chelsea College of Art from January 2012.
May…
……inspired by teachers whilst writing CLN evaluation.
June…..
……..it’s my birthday in June.
July…..
…. I started a 3 week project with people from sheltered accommodation in Gateshead and become inspired by how people approach drawing.
August….
…..I left my studio after being with Waygood/High Bridge since early 1999.
September…
…. I started taking a holistic view of where drawing exists and see Joseph Beuys on Gateshead High Street.
October…
…..I wrote a letter to Michael Gove, Secretary of State for Education in the hope that he might consider the importance of keeping art in the curriculum.
November….
…..I looked for a new home in London.
December….
…..thinking about new beginnings and what’s ahead. Happy New Year!
Plans for the London move will shortly be under way. Next steps and reflection on current work since leaving the studio are pretty high in my priorities at the moment, although the need to earn and save money are top of the list so lots of freelance working ahead. Thinking about learning and linking workshops to my drawing practice, as well as finding ways to achieve in short spaces of time are the most sane way forward during a busy and seemingly uncreative time. This TED link, from Gary Malkin is helping.
Since returning from Barcelona, I have visited London – mainly to see the Postgraduate Diploma Show at Chelsea College of Art(as I will be a student on the course from January 2012). It was a good chance to see a number of shows that are on over the summer. Particular highlights were the Tracey Emin show at the Hayward and the Michelangelo Pistoletto at the Serpentine. I really wished I’d had longer to spend at the Barbican at Watch Me Move: The Animation Show, as there are some real gems including Georges Méliès and Lumière Brothers that ideally I’d have watched while there. Luckily you can get a sense of them on youtube.
I’ve also been moving my studio as I decided to leave my studio since I will be moving to London later in the year (and need to save money). At present the contents of the van are living in my front room but I’ll update as I archive and organise, and make new stuff over the coming weeks!
Since my most recent work has been wall based, I’ve been increasingly interested in street art. If you can recommend any reading/research let me know. Image below from Barcelona.
