Modern Masters in Print: Matisse, Picasso, Dali and Warhol #collectionlinc

I realised that it's been a while since I last posted. Now working full-time, it's hard to find the time for most things let alone blogging but I try my best! So for the past couple of months, I've been invigilating the exhibition, Modern Masters in Print: Matisse, Picasso, Dali and Warhol at The Collection and Usher Gallery. Originally exhibited in Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum, it was moved to Lincoln. As this exhibition is drawing to a close on 30th March 2014, I thought it definitely deserved a post!

As you can probably guess, this exhibition held a series of works by Matisse, Picasso, Dali and Warhol. These notable figures in modern art really pushed the boundaries (at the time) what could be considered art. This exhibition while dark for some was for me, beautifully lit. I felt that the works really shone off the walls. The works ranged from the bold wood cut by Matisse, to the delicate etched lines by Dali. With these, I was particularly amazed by the level of detail that I kept discovering every time I studied these works again and again. Then there were the delightful Monroe's that stole the show due to their vibrant colour.

Some members of the public would often ask me what the difference was between a 'print' and an 'original' clearly assuming that these works were mechanically made and not handcrafted by these amazing artists! I definitely think that there should have been some explanation detailing these printing processes because for me, that's just as interesting as the final product.

So overall, it's been an insightful experience to invigilate a great collection of works at The Collection and Usher Gallery, and very rewarding to see the general public visiting. Some even more than once!

(Images courtesy of BBC)

The Arts, Undervalued #prepdrawing #freshmgallery

Fresh Meat have an opportunity for creatives to submit work expressing their opinions on the economic state and cultural budget cuts. Though it's work in progress, it's a great incentive to practice drawing and illustration, something that I've not done in a few years. http://www.freshmeatgallery.com/opportunities/

Open Call C/O Berlin!

C/O Berlin are inviting emerging artists and photographers under 35 to submit work for their exhibition, Talent 2014 themed Memories. Perfect! Plus, it provides a lot of scope. Deadline: 11th April 2014 

€30 submission cost

In 2014 Talents focuses again on the theme "Memories". The ability of the photographic medium to freeze and thereby preserve a moment in time makes it the perfect repository for memories of the events going on around us. This also means that photographs take on the function of investing events with meaning, for only that which has been fixed in place by a photograph seems worthy in our way of thinking of being remembered at all. A fleeting moment is captured for eternity and thus appears to confirm for us that something actually did occur in precisely the way it appears in the photograph. But how reliable is the photographic medium as a conveyor of memory? Looking at it more closely, photography is just as fluid, blurred, and relative as perception itself. It represents just a tiny excerpt of reality—essentially, the surface of an event—thereby triggering a kind of afterimage in the viewer’s mind. As material memorial objects, photographs construct individual and collective memories. They overlap—or even block—each other by conjuring false images in the viewer’s imagination. With the almost boundless flood of images unleashed by the evolution of technical media, and with the increasing digitization of photographic archives, the question of how we remember and what forms photography has at its disposal to preserve memory is more relevant today than ever before. In recent years, artists have increasingly sought to engage photographic archives, found footage, and associative processes in their work. Whether conceptual, playful, or scientific; whether in photography or film: How can the aspect of memory be addressed in these media? How can the theme of "Memories" be explored in and through photography, and how can the process of memory be interrogated and visualized artistically?

http://www.co-berlin.info/en/exhibitions/talents/talents-2014-application.html

(Late) New Years Resolution 2014

Originally I didn't post this as I thought it might be too heavy for the celebratory festivities but never mind, I'm going to post it anyway. 31st December 2013

With it being the last day of 2013, I couldn't let it slip by without one last post. I would be lying if I said that this past year went smoothly. Third year was hectic with my dissertation, degree show and the London show, then finishing off with graduation. After three years of hard work, that day should have been a highlight, but sadly someone very dear to the family passed away unexpectedly. On top of that, we had to move house twice (myself, three times) so it was all very chaotic.

As a family, we're still working through our grief where we will be met with a year of firsts. A first Anniversary, Christmas, New Year, Valentines and Birthdays without my Grandma. I keep trying to remind myself and others that it's about changing traditions and embracing the new. It's unfamiliar territory, but I guess if there was a small silver lining it's brought my family closer, plus there's always someone worse off than you, right? So, onto the positives! 

New Years Resolutions:

1. Embrace the new 

I'm going to be starting a new job in January, while it's not my dream job, it will lead to other opportunities hopefully community/arts related. I will also continue with my volunteering at the local college and The Usher Gallery while figuring out if I want to do a PGCE, MA or just do both? I like collecting!

2. Art practice

As I've already mentioned, things have been hectic. My parents, lovely as ever are helping me set up a studio in the garage, hopefully in the New Year so that I can start creating and developing a portfolio. I've managed to get my enlarger working finally!! 

3. Be pro-active

Now that I have another job, I can change my focus onto other things. Applying for residencies, art competitions and exhibition opportunities.

4. Continue blogging

Screen Printing on The Cheap

While surfing the Printeresting website, I came across a blog post about this small organisation of artists who have published a book about Screen Printing on the Cheap. I'm tempted to buy the book although shipping would be expensive. It's just a shame it wasn't printed in time for the screen printing sessions at the local college; this would have been pretty damn handy to show the students! Check out the LINK for more information.