Archive for November, 2008
fishbone gallery coventry
I attended an opening tonight….fishbone gallery in the Longford area of Coventry offers a high standard, professional feeling space for groups and individual artists to exhibit.
This is another, much needed, addition to the creative industries in Coventry. The artists exhibiting in this inaugural exhibition are working in sculpture, painting, print and photography. There is certainly something for every one here and well worth visiting the fishbone website HERE for opening times. Friendly and enthusiastic owners/curators of fishbone will answer any questions regarding this exciting enterprise and the art and artists within.
A personal favorite of mine from the exhibition was GARRETH PARTINGTON. Alternative Photographer. Visit his website HERE. Im going to delve into Garreths website a bit and perhaps blog again…..right up my street-as they say.
me……..at The Lock Gallery Coventry
I have one new painting and a selection from the ‘Black and White series’ on exhibit at The Lock Gallery Coventry.
The painting- ‘Endings’ is very new and a departure in some ways so I am open to any comments. I have been working on this painting for a while, blogged about it too but all to soon it was time to install it in the gallery. I had made the decision that it would be this painting regardless, my fear being that new work will stay hidden in my kitchen. Despite its title or perhaps because of it, ‘Endings’ feels like a still, captured in the moment that shifts are taking place, at the precise moment that I discard certain elements of my practice and focus on the ‘state’ of the figure..and what a state she’s in…These are the reasons that it had to be this painting and why I would be more comfortable if it wasnt.
The exhibit 18 Nov – 13 Dec.
079
079 came to an end today and I would like to congratulate the artists involved. There are lots of pictures of the opening night and the work within the exhibition HERE
Two of my personal favorites-and there were many-
new drawings – destroying her
THE DRAWINGS:
So here are 3 drawings from the DESTROYING HER series (working title). These drawings are on a smaller scale than usual and there are mainly practical reasons for that, all to do with space and such. The dimensions are the same though, although I am having a shake up in general, the shape of my drawings have stayed the same. Its comfortable, to a degree,but its also how my mind works. I have a wide screen brain.
So its in the drawings that I am initially destroying the female. Iv been working on her for the best part of two years and she really does feel like a character to me right now, in the end I personalized her and as her creator I definitely have the right to destroy her. In a sense I could be playing the last 2 years in reverse as I take her back to her component parts. I talk about the comfort zone that I had fallen into later re:painting. I wonder if I have neglected to say why I am destroying her or if its already pretty clear?
All the while im getting in front of the camera again. The shifts in other areas of my practice are becoming apparent here too.
THE PAINTING (STILL IN PROGRESS):
Its been a long time since I have attempted to spend so long on a painting. As a rule (one I am attempting to break) I work fast, really fast. And that was fine up to the point when i realized that I was in fact a one women production line and so not taking any risks, for the last 3 or 4 paintings I had become comfortable in perfecting what I already knew, I have been told that this is a fairly natural state during the lead up to an M.A exhibition. So I set a new challenge or two, shake things up a bit and tear apart my females, after all they started out in pieces BUT (and heres the kick) this is the time when I need people around me, like in the studio, and instead im in the kitchen (full of self doubt and my cat). Its not supposed to be s sob story, its just a shock. Iv mentioned some of this before but its really hitting home this week. I am fighting with this painting, dragging from myself the changes that are happening when I draw, its always in painting that I am more likely to fall back into old habits and make everything just a bit to- well- pretty, when im trying to get the balance right between pretty and horror (which is the more superficial element of the paintings). I will battle on with it. As usual, ALL comments welcome re: the in progress work I post.
…….but…ITS ONLY AS LONELY AS YOU MAKE IT
….must see…..079
There were so many good things about this exhibition that its difficult to know where to start….the exhibition venue and the space itself is pretty perfect for the work this small group have presented. With a glorious dose of passion this mix of sculpture, drawing and painting are more than just existing in the space, they start conversations.
For opening times please visit 079 website for contact details
