The thought process behind my ‘box’ which I completed for Tim Ilife’s multi-artist installation (see Blog entry 2.3.17 “in our minds there are many rooms…”) contained several threads.
Having a mature walnut tree in our garden sparked the initial thread of interest, seeing how each nut and shell was similar yet quite different from the next one. As with everything in nature, no two walnuts are identical. On researching the history of walnuts I became intrigued that in Victorian times the reassembled shells were used to pass secret messages and love tokens. Further research onto the resemblance of the kernel to the human brain lent itself to being used in this art project about mental health. I chose to cover the empty pill box in black and white felt – a reference to yin and yang, darkness and light, and padded cells. Before I sealed the interior off I inserted three walnut shells that were filled with screwed up pages from the ‘i’ newspaper from Friday 13th January 2017, and strapped them into the shell halves with strong wire so there was no escape! I then combined concepts relating to Gulliver being tied down on one face of the box with the opposing face featuring a spiders web with its prey wrapped and ready to eat. Strands of copper wire and thread were used throughout. No one but me (and you!) knows what is inside the box making intriguing noises as the box is turned over. This project has intrigued me, such a simple concept but so many different interpretations as the 1000 artists all explore their own “rooms”. Currently installed until the end of April at Bangor Cathedral, I will keep you posted as it travels to each venue over the coming months.
One of my three new paintings that I am submitting to the Queens Hall Gallery in Narberth for their Winter Open Exhibition. This painting entitled “Yang 88 Style” is one of a series I have been working on that brings together my painting and my daily practice of Tai Chi.
As part of my art project at Rhosygilwen, Glenn Ibbitson and I collaborated on painting and filming Yang style Tai Chi. The short film “Embrace Tiger, Return to Mountain” is the culmination of that days shooting. For further details do get in touch.
Eighteen participants enjoyed the practical workshop led by Sean Dowdall at Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire on Sunday 7th September. The beautiful sunny weather meant we were able to work outside whilst moving, returning indoors for the sitting and stillness. Sean used simple methods founded in the traditions of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to help people root and centre themselves. These methods to find inner peace and calm through quietness and mindfulness have been practised over thousands of years.
Great to see the current issue of Pembrokeshire Life magazine which has got a feature written by Jenny White (Swansea based writer and critic) describing my exhibition and a series of workshops at Rhosygilwen throughout September. Start of a new body of work encompassing video, painting on scrolls and sculpture concerning my long term study and interest in Tai Chi.
Forty nine artists throughout Ceredigion, including myself, are opening our studios from 16th to 31st August 2014. In addition there are eight showcase Taster Exhibitions and the main Trail Hub Exhibition at the Gas Gallery in Aberystwyth which are open throughout August. Full details on www.ceredigionarttrail.org.uk Gas Gallery details are on www.celfceredigionart.org
