The exhibition Surface Work (11 April - 16 June 2018 at the Victoria Miro, Mayfair) was a rich feast, with abstract work by more than 50 artists, all women, from five continents, spanning every decade between 1918 and 2018. I knew of some of the artists who have "shaped and transformed, and continue to influence … Continue reading Exhibition: Pioneering Abstract Artists
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Natural Abstracts
Some stunning paintings made in response to two stories from Africa today on the Children's Art and Storytelling course that I am running at Llanover Hall Arts Centre. 'Why the Sun and Moon Live in the Sky' - a Nigerian folktale, and 'The Lion's Whisker' - an Ethiopian Folktale. Elements by Jim age 9 … Continue reading Natural Abstracts
Expressive Drawing Workshop
A wonderful day with lots of visitors taking up our expressive drawing challenge for Made in Roath festival. We rolled out long sheets of paper, and invited participants to use paint, charcoal and pastels to experiment and have fun.
Seeking Transparency
For our Saturday afternoon drop-in session to experiment with cyanotype, or sun prints, participants brought along an assortment of things to try out on the photo-sensitive paper. Beads and seeds, feathers and flowers fresh from the garden were laid out and placed under the UV light bed for exposure. Creating compositions using a variety of … Continue reading Seeking Transparency
Making a Mark: The Art of Automatism
Automatic drawing or painting can be described as “expressing the subconscious” using any technique that eliminates conscious control and replaces it with chance. The basic techniques originate from spiritualism, practiced by artists such as Georgiana Houghton and Hilma Af Klint, both of whom have recently had their work exhibited in a revival of interest and … Continue reading Making a Mark: The Art of Automatism
Homage to Hannelore Baron
There is something raw and deeply absorbing about Hannelore Baron's multi-layered work. Found materials are combined with enigmatic text and abstract figures in her collages and box constructions. The work suggests both the condition of entrapment and the possibility of release, no doubt informed by her early traumatic experiences of war in Germany in … Continue reading Homage to Hannelore Baron
Illustrating the Inner: The work of Anna Zemánková
“If we make one criterion for defining the artist… the impulse to make something new… — a kind of divine discontent with all that has gone before, however good — then we can find such artists at every level of human culture, even when performing acts of great simplicity.” - Margaret Mead Following the threads … Continue reading Illustrating the Inner: The work of Anna Zemánková
