Walnut Shell Art Installation – concepts

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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.

‘Birth/Rebirth’ Exhibition at Boundary Art, Cardiff

Very pleased to have four paintings selected by Cate Cheng, gallery director, for the forthcoming exhibition ‘BIRTH/REBIRTH’ at Boundary Art in Cardiff Bay, a unique combined gallery and tea room.                                                                                               Exhibition runs from 25 March to 6 May 2017, gallery open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 6pm. (Closed Monday and Tuesday.) www.boundaryart.com   Photos will be posted as soon as available!                                                                                                  The East/West philosophy of the gallery links in with my long term personal interest in Asian culture, and my study and practice of Tai Ji Quan and Qi Gong.                                 Further Information about Boundary Art                                                                           Cardiff’s newest art space, Boundary Art opened in 2015 and devotes itself to the fusion of communication and promotion between Western and Chinese cultures. The gallery is fast developing a reputation for dynamic and distinctive programming to support artists from across the visual spectrum and from across Wales and beyond. Visitors have the unique opportunity to browse original art works and to relax in their Chinese tea room.

The core ideology of Boundary Art has always been about the communication and trans-boundary of the arts, culture and thoughts. The gallery offers an international platform for artists, curators and writers and welcomes all audiences, aiming to encourage everyone to engage with art, prompting questions and supporting debate.

New Year Open Studio January 2-4, 2015

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I was pleased to welcome you all to my new year open studio-both local regulars and new visitors from near and far, including a couple who had seen my work on exhibition in London and travelled down to visit me in my studio.

Winter Open Exhibition at Oriel Q, Narberth, Pembrokeshire

DSCN1900 copyOne 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.

Exhibition opens on 27th October and runs until 20th December. www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk

Performance Art

A&S1 copy A&S7 copy A1 copy A8 copyAs 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.

Tai Chi, Sean Dowdall. http://www.dragontherapies.co.uk/

Filmwork and photographs above, Glenn Ibbitson. http://www.smokingbrushfineart.com/

 

Mindfulness Workshop

DSCN1908 copy DSCN1910 copyEighteen 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.

September issue of Pembrokeshire Life magazine

DSCN1915 copyGreat 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.

Contemplative Workshop in west Wales

Details below of a workshop I have invited Sean Dowdall to run at Rhosygilwen during my time exhibiting there in September. This will be a practical workshop looking at some of the simple methods we can use to root and centre ourselves; to find that inner peace and calm through quietness and mindfulness using methods that are founded in the traditions of Tai Chi and Qi Gong.
Venue: The Orangery, Rhosygilwen SA43 2TW
Essential to book – please contact me

SEAN POSTER FOR FACEBOOK

Ceredigion Art Trail, Open Studios 16 to 31 August 2014

DSCN1854 copy DSCN1855 copy DSCN1856 copyForty 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