Have been busy filling my SBP Sketchbook for Brooklyn Art Library in New York (see earlier Blogs). I have drawn the Yang 88 Style of Taijiquan as it was being performed in front of me. No time for details, just focusing on grasping the essence and the energy flow of the form. I have been studying Tai Ji for 25 years now so this is a celebration of my quarter century. I do however still consider myself to be a beginner. It is supposed to take several lifetimes to master the art of Tai Ji.
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.
It’s time to fill in another sketchbook for the SBP in New York. This will be the third time I’ve taken part. Here’s a bit of information about the set-up:
We are an independent Brooklyn-based company that organizes global, collaborative art projects. Our flagship endeavor is The Sketchbook Project, a crowd-sourced library that features 35,418 artists’ books contributed by creative people from 135+ countries. Brooklyn Art Library is our storefront exhibition space in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY where The Sketchbook Project collection is on view to the public. Brooklyn Art Library, 28 Frost Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Open Tuesday to Sunday 12-6.The SBP currently holds around 35,418 sketchbooks by 162,081 creative people from 101 different countries.
https://www.sketchbookproject.com/
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.
Exhibition opens on 27th October and runs until 20th December. www.orielqueenshallgallery.org.uk
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.
