Time for a Clear Out

I've been in my house nearly three years now but I still had old college and university work crammed into my garden shed waiting to be dealt with. I couldn't let another Summer pass without tackling this job, and so now was the time to roll up my sleeves and delve into the past.

I have managed to part with some of my work over the years and I was fairly ruthless when I moved, but I was still hanging on to far too much. There is a part of me that would like to get rid of everything; streamline and simplify; but there are some things I just can't part with. As I turn the pages of design work, I reconnect with the younger me and realise that some things feel too precious to let go off.

Final Year Design Project

But I'm still creating work now and I don't want the present to be suffocated by the past, so I'm pleased when I find I can sift through and clear some space so there's air to breathe between the memories.

I loved my time at art college and looking at the designs I created there brought back happy memories...sitting in the studio with friends, immersing ourselves in projects and dreaming of the future. It was a wonderful experience, opening up and expanding my mind; filling me up with the desire to learn and see where I could go with my ideas. A feeling that I carry with me still.

So I've actually managed to edit it all down to a manageable amount that I can access easily to look at, rather than being boxed away becoming hoarders' relics. Such a relief to tick that off the list.

Amanda
xxx

Visiting Mister Finch

A couple of weeks ago I took advantage of some lovely warm weather and a free day off to pay a visit to the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. I love to see the work of other artists and I particularly wanted to see an exhibit by the Leeds artist Mister Finch who works in fabric, bringing to life his darkly fairy tale visions.

This particular work is called 'The Midnight Meeting'. The idea behind the exhibition is a secret meeting in a secret wood. A magical fox has borrowed the moon and hidden it inside his body that is a cabinet. With the help of his friends, a pair of tall hares and birds who are all decorated in flowers and spices, they are there to welcome the first moths of spring. The fox doors open and the light of the moon inside leads the way.  All the pieces are pale in colour as the meeting only comes together at night. They never see the sun and only meet one night a year.

His work is enchanting with an undercurrent of unease and exquisite attention to detail. You can imagine the creatures coming to life as the moonlight hits the cabinet. It ends on 28th August 2016.

The current major exhibition at ysp is by the Swiss artist Not Vital, someone that I'm not familiar with, but found myself transfixed by his work in both its range and its impact.

He is showing both in the grounds of the park and in the Underground Gallery. This work is called 'The Last Supper', an 11-metre wide painting created to span an entire wall:-

This work, positioned on the Underground Gallery roof, is called 'House to Watch the Sunset':-

I would certainly recommend a visit. It runs until 2nd January 2017.

I'm aiming for an update on my own work before the end of the month, so you should be hearing from me again soon.

Amanda xxx