karlwebster

[karlwebster]

Visiting Artist - Kate Brinkworth

16/03/23

On this day, we were visited by the artist and painter Kate Brinkworth. Kate is a British painter best known for her photorealistic and colourful still-life depictions Inspired by film and the filmmaker Hitchcock, Kate produces vivid compositions of ‘Iconic objects’ and uses them to hint towards hidden narratives. Particularly inspired by film, Kate uses photography to experiment with camera angles, lighting and composition, In which she uses particular still frames to construct her paintings.

Kate skilfully creates scenes built up of ‘Iconic objects’, to which she refers to as objects that have a high status and compelling associations- as such as Coca-Cola bottles and casino dice. By carefully constructing these ‘snapshot’ images, Kate draws the viewers attention to particular areas of the image with differing degrees of focus. By drawing our attention to the more conspicuous areas of imagery, Kate aims to create a narrative through her Oil paintings and drawings. Similarly to my own work, I aim to produce a story and narrative across my work and from this I can see that it is just as effective to present ‘snippets’ of imagery to suggest a narrative to an audience. I find this style of her work to be quite seductive yet deceiving, similar to commercial advertisements - she playfully presents intriguing images of objects that we do not necessarily need but often want. In deeper examination of the work, I feel that most of the elements and objects included in her paintings (such as alcohol and gambling) leads to themes of consumption or addiction.

Kate now primarily works towards privately commissioned work and to large businesses like Coca-Cola.

I have come across her work in the past, however I definitely have a new perception behind her work since she has explained the concepts behind her work. I don’t aim to achieve this level of realism in my own paintings, however I definitely have gained valuable insights from a professional painter, and the importance of creating connections now at university through galleries and public art fairs. I also learnt that it is crucial at all stages of an artistic career to effectively advertise and promote artwork through a balance of exhibitions and social media.

[karlwebster]

Visiting Artist - Anna Macdonald

02/03/23

Todays visiting contemporary was the dance artist and scholar Anna Macdonald. Anna’s practice operates within film, live art and performance. Anna investigates the relationship between body, time and movement and our motion within a public environment.

Anna primarily works with the public and extensively researches within her field of formed human experiences by developing software/databases that tracks and records movement. By directly working with the public, she is able to explore and re-frame human experiences through film and performance. A theme of motion is shared throughout Anna’s work and is used to make the viewers consider how much complexity is held in movement alone.

A recent work ‘Tracking’, involved the tracking of peoples footsteps/movements within a space – which directly affected the sound or visuals presented in the space. One example being cracked lines on the wall that appeared when relevant sounds of movement were made by the public (sizes of cracked lines dependant on the volume of noise made). This was used as an experiment to use digital tracking processes available to anyone, in order to distinguish relevant sounds of movement purposefully effected by the public participants involved.

I like the idea and almost concept of subconscious meaning/thoughts being held behind our everyday movement and that our natural motional decisions hold more meaning than we know about. However, I am not so personally interested with performativity/film art. Her work takes an almost scientific/ analytical approach to investigating subjects, however I find myself uninspired by this digital academic method and outcome of working as I prefer more - hands on uses of media/ material to create artwork.

[karlwebster]

Visiting Artist - Ian Mood

16/02/23

Today, I took part in the lecture with a visiting Artist – Ian Mood. Ian mood is a full time commercial and contemporary painter who is currently based in Newcastle. Mood divides the rest of his time between his hometown of Stoke-on-Trent, Manchester and the US. Moods paintings abstractly encapsulate the vastness of landscapes and our relationship to the natural world or society. Mood explained that he is often described as a ‘commercial artist’ in which he mainly focuses his works towards making a living and commissions. However, he finds himself removed from the ‘elite’ world of modern painting and has had a natural urge to paint from a young age.

Moods Arts education refined his practice towards figure painting/ sketching, however after through university, he was inspired to move towards painting landscapes and scenery. He has a distinctive approach to painting, as he uses very heavy brushstrokes that convey a sense of motion throughout his imagery.

Very similarly to my own practice, I used to mainly focus on producing figure compositions and I have now combined my interest of landscapes and urban environments. I also find myself fascinated with the sky, but do struggle to paint clouds/sky scenes in my own work.

Mood was able to explain his painting processes and methods of mark making. He has a subconscious method to his painting, in which he prefers to start painting or drawing without an image in his head, allowing the marks on the canvas to inspire/ develop imagery over time. This is a process Mood uses across several works at a time, where he later comes back with extra ‘editing’ of the works in response to the paintings recognisable features/composition to create a finished image. This allows Mood to keep momentum and a habit of painting and therefore prevents himself from an artists block, as he can return to the successes from each piece to keep moving forward. Typically, his imagery contains natural landscapes or sky scenery, however Mood tries to paint in social environments too as he finds it important to respond to what’s going on in the outside world every once in a while.

1:1 WITH IAN

After the lecture, I was lucky enough to book a one to one with Ian Mood and we were able to have a informative discussion about my practice right now and ideas in moving forward.

Initially, Ian could easily relate to my use of working in a series – like a narrative to story. He recommended that if I continue working at this scale using large unstreched canvases, then I should consider working on several at a time in order to keep my momentum and motivation with painting. He enjoyed my use of ‘botanical’ imagery and suggested to put further research behind the types of plants/ foliage that I am painting, as different plants have been used as symbols to represent different meanings.

He found that my work needs definitive titles as this will then give the viewer a slight insight into the ambiguous paintings without giving away too much detail. He liked my use of ‘quotes’ and said that they should definitely be the titles of each painting they relate to – Viewers/ exhibitors may realise this connection to literature.

He also made it clear that despite being at University, It is still important to try to sell work commercially/ contemporarily if possible (As educational practices don’t usually push on this area) so that I can develop professional skills and returning customers for future reference.

[karlwebster]

TUNNEL VISIONS (04/03/23)

CANAL PLACEMENT

Im proud to say that we have completed our Canal arts trail placement. These last few weeks have brought us as a group to completing a successful public arts trail exhibition.

Once installed, the public began to arrive and started to speak to us at our artwork locations. Here I was able to speak to members of the public about my work and answer any of their questions. Later on, a guided walk took place where we all gave 5 minute presentations about our work to visitors. In this i was able to give a brief outline of my works and the mythical concepts behind them. In preparation towards the talks, I was very nervous to speak in front of a large public crowd before the presentations, however once I began I soon felt relaxed as the crowd began to respond and ask questions. I found to gain confidence when the crowd began to respond to my work, In which this talk recieved great feedback and some very interesting perspectives my work. Interestingly members of the public made their own personal connections to the site specific work as such as personal experiences of mythical/paranormal activity from the canal and Stoke, references to other artists like Monet and even commercial suggestions. Since this was a public trail, it meant that many strangers unware of the project were introduced to the art and had other meaningful conversations with me about art, university and careers. It was great to hear outsiders honest interpretations of the work - outside of a educational environment.

I think that my installation couldve been more effective as a series of 3 as this would improve the narrative behind the work. As 2 works alone caused some confusion about the contexts of the work. Yet, the overall feedback left behind was postive about all of our works and specific positive comments made from locals about our connections to the canals history and heritage.

Overall, I have gained many new skills by installing work publicly and I that I would be excited to use future placements/locations to encourage my work. I've learnt how to install artwork in a public outdoor space, work effectively in a team, how to advertise exhibitions and gained confidene in giving public presentations.

[karlwebster]

TUNNEL VISIONS (04/03/23)

CANAL PLACEMENT INSTALL

This morning I began installation of my paintings towards the Tunnel Visions Canal Trail.

I arrived early this morning by train prepared with my work and installation materials. Immediately I began hanging my work in my chosen location. From my studio tests, I found that fishing wire successfully supports canvas at this scale, however at the canal trail I found that this length of wire required was very tricky to work with. Since I was hanging work from a larger height than tested (would've benefited from testing this on the last visit), I found that the fishing wire became tangled and difficult to tie to the metal railings. This meant that I had to resort to using regular cotton string to hang my work from the eyelets and the string didnt have the same 'invisible' effect that i had hoped for with fishing wire. Despite being visible, the string blended quite well against the cotton canvas material (as opposed to a plastic wire) and matched the 'raw' material that I was using. Then in order to stretch and secure the paintings, I used the same method to tie string from the bottom of the work towards the ground below with fixed camping pegs.

I was very fortunate to recieve help from students Lorna and Steph in hanging my work. From practice, I expected to be easy able to install this work alone. However, I quickly realised that team work was essential towards installing such large work at this scale. They were able to support me in hanging the artwork succesfully, then also by checking that the work was hung straight and level. Once complete, we were able to support any other students that were still installing before 12pm. I found that installing work within a public space was very challenging compared to our usual studio conditions in which it taught me to adapt with the space provided.

Once we had setup, Appetite Stoke and the Canal River Trust setup whilst members of the public started to attend.

[karlwebster]

CANAL TRAIL WEEK: 03/03/23 (SEM 2)

In preparation towards Appetite Stoke and Staffordshire Universities advertisement of the trail, we have been asked to supply a 2 sentence statement explain the work that will be displayed tomorrow.

My Statement - 'Taking inspiration from the myths and folklore that surround the canals of Stoke-On-Trent, I have visually depicted these stories in a series of fictional paintings. In response to these stories, I intend to traditionally present these paintings to the public as they would've been in their time era'.

The work that Im exhibiting in the trail is part of my developing studio practice, which is concerned with the myth and folklore that surrounds natural environments. The series displayed will be titled 'for those who wander'. More specificaly, my paintings respond to particular historic myths of Stoke-on-Trent. One of these being the Kidsgrove Boggart which is well known across the Kidsgrove community. The other painting refers and takes inspiration from to the 'Green Knight' - Another paranormal myth based around the 'Roaches' area. Taking insiration from these 'myths', I have used painting as a method of portraying the myths as they wouldve traditionally been displayed/visualised centuries ago. In my painting process, I then used my own imagination and fictional reading inspiration to develop these mythical characters into their own 'ficitional environments'. My paintings often become quite abstract and do not represent realistic environments, yet they display subtle hints and details towards particular locations (e.g the canal and its bronze colour).

(IMAGES FROM PUBLIC S-O-T MYTH BLOGS)

[karlwebster]

CANAL TRAIL WEEK: 02/03/23 (SEM 2)

(INSTALLATION SITE X)

Today, Students of the canal project were able to meet one last time on the canal. Anna and Appetite arranged this meeting in order to form a map of the students work along the canal trail.

Despite not being able to attend this meeting in person, I was able to pinpoint the location of my planned installation (Images from previous visits). Anna suggested that I hang my work on the first bridge wall nearest to the Harecastle Tunnel. This wall is a great view point for visitors and the stairway railing on the opposite side of the wall will allow me to easily hang work with wire. I initially planned to use weights to suspend the canvases from the wall (backup option), but the railing will make installation easier and I will stretch the canvas down by using wire and camping pegs into the ground below.

Later developments of the map show that I will be located in the centre of the trail and that I will be placed in between Elly and Jennys work.

[karlwebster]

CANAL TRAIL WEEK: 27/02/23 (SEM 2)

(INITIAL CONCEPT OF 3 PAINTINGS)

This week the canal arts trail (TUNNEL VISIONS) will take place in just 5 days.

This has brought me to the realization that I may have to only exhibit 2 of my paintings on the canal trail instead of my original plan of 3. I still have some time this week to begin a third painting and make any final adjustments to the work. I have been able to add 'eyelets' to the corners of each canvas so that I can suspend the work by using fishing wire.

This is my first time working at such a large scale in painting and I may of overestimated my time left to have 3 finished paintings by the end of the week. However, I think that the two paintings should be effective and can be displayed as a pair - as a series in progress. I think that I may of been overly ambitious with taking on 2 placement opportunities this semester, meaning that my time has been very limited and that I am not fully satisfied the split time I have put towards working with each placement. I have definitely realised the importance of time management for such a large project like the canal trail and I will prioritise my time in future placement/exhibition projects so that I can solely focus on resolving my work.

[karlwebster]

AIRSPACE GALLERY PLACEMENT (24/02/23)

DAY 3 (MAYA 'CLINKER' EXHIBITION OPENING NIGHT)

Today I was able to attend Maya Dews 'Clinker' exhibition opening evening. This event took place from 6 to 8pm and I made a visit to see the completed exhibition.

The Airspace Gallery had a very welcoming invite for viewers by using signs and displays (shown above). This was a complete transformation to how I last saw an empty entrance of the gallery and I was glad to see they had sucessfully created a welcoming environment to the gallery. Also I loved how they chose to keep the front wooden 'window' open so that strangers could see that the space was thriving inside.

I breifly caught up with Maya and Glenn and then took my time to observe the finalized exhibition. As this was the opening night of the exhibition, It was very busy and definitely out of my comfort zone but I am glad to have pushed myself. It was interesting to see an exhibition of this level from a post graduate artist, rather than the usual well known contemporary galleries that I am used to visiting. I enjoyed to see that Maya was physically in the space and making conversation with viewers and friends about the work. Typically in the modern/contemporary exhibitions I have previously seen, the artist is usually absent from the space and you do not get to create a personal connection to the artist face to face.

The exhibition was well structured and contained all relevant 'hand-outs' and leaflets to guide you through each of the works. I also liked the additional touch of having optional 'feedback' slips to give in at the end of the visit, so that people could leave their own opinions and thoughts behind for the artist. Personally, I found the space to be a little too bright/white and could've done with less artifical lighting in certain areas so that certain works could visually stand out in the spotlights. Other than that, It was a great exhibition that I am glad to have been a part of. The exhibition portrayed the 'wastelandic' visions of Mayas very sucessfully. I personally saw it as a landscape installation of organic/geolocial structures, and I can relate to a similar creation of environments like these in my paintings and hopefully sculpture of my own later this year.

Overall, this placement with Airspace has been very benificial for me, as I have been able to gain professional and curatorial skills in a professional artist environment. It was definitely useful for me to see how an artist works publicly, away from an educational (University/college) environment.

[karlwebster]

AIRSPACE GALLERY PLACEMENT (19/02/23)

DAY 2

(BEFORE AND AFTER)

Today was the second day into my placement with Airspace.

Once I arrived, I immediately continued with the painting of the front window/entrance doors. After 4 coats in total, the door was complete and ready towards exhibition. This meant that the entire gallery space was now white, without any obvious contrasting colours. Also this meant that the room was much lighter when lit and allowed the focus to remain on Maya's work. From this, I learnt the importance of preparing a gallery space so that there is no unwanted distractions taking attention away from artwork.

I was able to stay over and observe Maya and Glen decide how each work would be lighted for the exhibition. Ofcourse, lighting is a crucial element towards displaying artwork to an audience, so this was very carefully considered during the setup. Glen was then able to control the spotlights above particular works - In particular the projection work of Maya's that needed a darker installation space. This also created some accidental shadow effects, especially from the wire/mesh sculptures which turnt out to be more sucessful for presentation. I also observed Glen producing/stickering the lettering that had to be placed on the walls of the gallery (CLINKER). I realised that this is a lengthy process and essential towards the display of/understanding of artist information.

Before leaving, Glen offered my the opportunity to possibly listen to a professional writer interview Maya this week. This could give me an insight into the professional actions that take place behind the scenes of an artists exhibition. Mayas exhibition begins next week on friday the 24th of February (Signs/walls incorrectly dated to 21st) and i plan to make a visit to support and view the complete exhibition.

[karlwebster]

AIRSPACE GALLERY PLACEMENT (18/02/23)

DAY 1

(IMAGES TAKEN MY MYSELF AND GLEN - PERMISSION GRANTED BY BOTH MAYA AND GLEN TO CAPTURE/POST IMAGES ONTO BLOG)

Today, I began my first day out of three as a gallery assistant towards my Airspace Gallery placement in Stoke-on-Trent.

Once i arrived at Airspace, I was quickly acquainted with Glen Stoker for the first time in person. He was able to quickly show me around the gallery and the facilties that the building holds. We were able to chat and discuss my duties for today. We decided that I will be taking care of some manual jobs as such as filling, sanding and painting the walls, also to paint the wooden large doors that cover the main gallery window exhibition space so that it is finished ready for tuesday (Opening day for Mayas installation). Alongside this, I was also asked to help Maya, if she needed any help during her installation set up. Very soon after, I was able to meet Maya Dew in person and began the setup of her installation in the gallery space.

Whilst I assembled my painting materials, I was able to help Maya in between jobs and support her with transporting/ placing sculptures into the gallery space. Once i was ready, I filled in any obvious gaps or rough edges across the whole of the white gallery walls, then once dry I was able to sand these areas down so that they were smooth enough to paint. Then I was able to paint these areas white - allowing them to dry over the rest of the day. During this time painting, I often helped Maya with some of the wiring that had to be arranged underneath or arround certain sculptures. It was interesting to see how a solo exhibiting artist made use of such a wide space for their work and how each work could 'compliment' eachother/ make the gallery flow smoothly for viewers if placed effectively. It was very benificial for me to 'shadow' Maya inbetween jobs and to see how an artist at her level would professionaly exhibit work.

My next job began on painting the large wooden door/windows. Upon arrival of the gallery, Glen and Maya decided that the interior side of the doors would be better painted white, rather than the woody brown that contrasted against the rest of the gallery. In which, it was my job to use filler on the doors to hide any nails, and to paint the wooden doors with several layers of paint. After carefully brushing around the edges of the doors, I used a paint roller to smoothly coat the rest of the door with paint. This took me up until the end of my day here at around 5pm, where I completed the doors first full layer of paint. However, It is obvious that one layer wasn't quite enough and that I should primarily focus on completing a few more coats of paint on the doors tomorrow morning.

At the end of the day, Glen mentioned that I could make the most out of this short placement by later making some drawings/paintings of some of Mayas organic sculptures as part of my documentation. In which im planning to bring in my own sketch materials to use tomorrow in the space. If i help to take images, I will not be able to access a professional camera due to the health and safety inductions needed - that I wont be able to complete by tuesday. However, I am still thinking of taking my own images/ videos on my phone camera. Maya suggested me making a instagram reel for her exhibition opening and using it to promote the event. - Glen also plans to use some of the imagery/video for his own gallery promotional use.

Also before leaving, I was intrigued by Mayas 'context shelf' - Installed at the entrance of the gallery space - That holds several of the books and resources that influenced/inspired the work around. In our conversation about this, Maya explained that its not ordinary for most contemporary artists to do this, but she finds it important for her practice that the viewers have the option know where the research has come from. - As opposed to usual galleries/exhibitions that leave viewers to make their own presumptions behind the works and viewers often have to 'dig' to discover where their work originates from contextually.

[karlwebster]

Canal Placement Update: 16/02/23 (SEM 2)

(POSTER DESIGNED AS A GROUP AND DIGITALLY CREATED BY ELLY CHARSLEY)

Today, the Appetite Canal project had aksed us to join a last minute meeting as a group to discuss communications and advertisement of the Canal Art Trail. Here we met Heather, one of the Appetite project advisors who was able to discuss our poster and leaflet plans in order to promote the Canal project very soon. Due to the time left (2 weeks) until install day, we had to urgently act together to have a finished project poster/ leaflet by the end of the day, so that Appetite can start promoting and printing our advertisements. Heather explained that Appetite will be able to help us as much as possible in order to promote our project, as long as we can give them information and images in the next few upcoming days. Further information needed soon will include the title of our project (TUNNEL VISIONS - Chosen as a group), and our individual 3 sentence descriptions to outline each of our practices and work towards the trail.

Heather was able to see our previously created poster, in which we came to the agreement that it doesnt reach towards our target audience. Since our previous design was a brown/filtered image of the canal, this gave off a heritage/ historical style to our poster and therefore didn't represent the project as a fun Arts trail. By using looking at examples of Appetite leaflet imagery, we found that we would benifit from inlcuding active images of our own work and group to the poster in order to display what the Canal Art Trail is all about. Also this means that it will appeal anbd hopefully attract the audiences that share these interests in Art and public displays/exhibitions. Elly later got into contact with me and decided to use one of my paintings as an image to display an example of work that will be shown at the trail.

For the poster itself, we collectively chose a green background to match with the natural surroundings that the trail will be based in, supported by a gold title and yellow border to represent the distinctive colour that the canal water reflects. Also by using imagery in circles, we thought of using partially cut semi-circles so that they represented a tunnel shape in response to the two canal tunnel entrances. We made sure to invite the target audience - 'FOLK OF KIDSGROVE', so that locals are aware of this event happening near to them. As well as a stating that this is a FREE event for anyone of the public to attend. We also made sure to include relevant logos and links, supplied by Heather, of the correct social media and the organisations involved as such as Staffordshire University, Appetite Stoke and the Canal & River Trust. Then in her own time, Elly was able to digitally create a mock-up poster (RIGHT IMAGE) - nearly ready to be submitted to Appetite soon and printed for public distribution.

[karlwebster]

Canal Placement Update: 10/02/23 (SEM 2)

CANAL PROPOSAL MEETING

Yesterday, On the 9th of February, the Canal trail students attended an in person proposal meeting with official members of Appetite Stoke.

Unfortunately due to parking issues, I was unable to find a space to park for the duration of the meeting, meaning that I could not attend (Next visit - Ill make sure to use the train to avoid this issue). In my own time, Im going to make an independant visit to the canal site to get some further measurements and imagery for where i plan to display my work. Regardless, Students were able to publically share their proposal plans (including discussion of my own) with appetite staff and therefore discuss any complications involved or possible alternatives in order to display work. I plan to hang a series of canvas paintings (3) alongside the canal trail and hopefully have them hung on the walls near to or under one of the near canal bridges.

I have been able to catchup with what I have missed from the meeting. In which I have found that the canal trail has been reduced up until the stairway entrance, after the station. This shouldn't cause any issues for me, as my placement proposition still remains in this area. Also as an exhibition/ public art display, I think it will be benificial for us to keep work relatively close in walking distance so that viewers do not miss any of the displayed artworks. The title name 'Diverse Ecologies' is also up for debate and will possibly be changed by ourselves as students to match with our current shared themes. Then finally, for the day of the install, each student will have needed to publish a 3 sentence statement of our projects, for the Canal trail map that is being developed.

[karlwebster]

Canal Placement Update: 09/02/23 (SEM 2)

(Right canal stock image - Not kidsgrove canal - Used as reference)

In preparation towards developing my work towards the Canal Trail, I have produced some 'mock-up' example images of how I plan to display work at the trail. Firstly, I have continued with my plans of hanging artwork along the Canal trail.

These paintings will be used as part of my developing art practice that is concerned with local folk-tales and legend. I hope to contribute towards the trail with either a singular or series of paintings responding to the trails landscape and its mysterious tales. The paintings onto cotton canvas will be produced from acrylic paint to survive any wet weather conditions and do not cause any leakage/pollution. From previous experiments, the canvas paintings will be around 3ft by 5ft. Then I hope to hang the canvases from certain walls along of the canal pathway for walkers to easily view. More specifically, I aim to secure these paintings from some of the fixtures seen underneath bridges and walls along the canal trail if safe to do so. I’m planning to secure the paintings in its position by using eyelets or metal clips with rope onto some of the wall fixtures (still needs permission from Appetite). I will have to also ensure that these paintings are fully secure from each corner, so that they do not blow away or cause any obstructions due to the wind.

After already visiting and researching the site of the following art trail, I know that there is much potential for work to be presented within the space in response to the contexts and location of the canal. I have chosen to create paintings that respond to the myths and stories that have surrounded the Kidsgrove canal for centuries, one example being the ‘Kidsgrove Boggart'. - Who has become a locally spread folk-tale, that is based on a woman that was murdered in the canal tunnels on her jouney to London via the canal systems. Who now supposedly haunts the canal trails and is still heard 'moaning' from the tunnels of the Kidsgrove Canal. There are several other myths that have come from the Kidsgrove canal and I am interested in how these myths have come about and have been stretched/ exaggerated over the course of time. I like the idea of exploring these tales of 'fiction' and playing around with the truth.

[karlwebster]

Airspace Placement Update: 01/02/23 (SEM 2)

Today, I unfortunately received the news that there has been an unavoidable change of dates with the Airspace exhibition with Maya Dew.

This means that the 5 days I was planning to spend with Airspace during Mayas exhibition will now become only 3 days. In which my placement was planned to be the 16th till the 20th of February. However, the installation of her exhibition has now been reduced to the weekend only, meaning that I can only participate for the weekend of the 18th to the 19th and possibly an alternative date of the exhibition display (21st Feb). This means that rather than 'shadowing' Maya during my placement, I will only take part as a gallery assistant in support of organising and documenting the upcoming exhibition. I have even been asked to help document the finished exhibition display by using a rented camera from the Staffordshire photopraphy facilities, which I will try to arrange if possible. Since i have no past professional experience in photography with Staffs, I may be required to complete a risk assessment induction, only if possible, in order to use the equipment.

I still aim to take part in this placement for professional and personal experience within a contemporary arts workplace but I will prioritise my focus into the Appetite Canal Trail as part of my professional placement practice and my studio practice.

[karlwebster]

Canal Placement Update: 18/01/23 (SEM 2)

As part of the Appetite canal trail project, Me and several students made a site visit to the Kidsgrove canal trail site itself.

Today we were able to observe and conceptualise possible locations to display artwork safely - in respect to the canal heritage and nature regulations. We took a walk along the mile stretch that will be available for us to display work along the canal trail. There are varied options for us to display two or three dimensional types of artwork - these inlude benches, wall stones/coves, walls and bridge ledges (to hang or project work) and even certain railings that are placed along the canal pathways. Personally, with my traditional style of work in painting or drawing, I think im most intrigued to hang my artwork by using rope or clear fishing wire along some of the walls beside the pathway or underneath some of the bridges if allowed. I will have to consider the types of medium and materials that i use for my work as it can be effected by harsh weather conditions and must not cause any damage or pollution to the surrounding structures or the canal itself.

There is also certain buildings scattered along the canal that are not owned by the river trust but still cared for and protected by them. One of these includes the lodge/hut building (Shown on the left image above) located next to the Harecastle Tunnel entrance. This building will supply information, beverages and electricity on the day of the Canal Trail.

[karlwebster]

Placement Update: 17/01/23 (START OF SEM 2)

This Year, I have had a response from the Airspace Gallery Director, Glen stoker, who has given me the opportunity to take part as a Gallery Assistant during the february exhibition of the resident artist Maya Dew. Maya Dew's practice investigates the displacement of organic material through common industrial processes. By re-arranging the collected matter, Maya is able to transform the material into physical displays that represent memory and desolation. Out of all three graduate resident exhibitions this year, I and Glen think that Maya fits closest towards my practice as my work is drawn towards natural materials and fictional urban environements. This will be a 5 day placement during and after the exhibition of Maya (16th - 21st FEB), where I will be able to prepare and shadow her throughout her exhibition setup and display. This will supply me with further curitorial skills and knowledge towards professional event/exhibition planning and hopefully an opportunity to display work of my own.

As part of my studio project, I have also joined with the Appetite Canal Trail project, In which I will be presenting physical work among other students along the Kidsgrove Canal (04/03/23).

Urban Wilderness have been yet to get back to me since christmas, therefore the Airspace Exhibition and the Canal Trail project will be my professional placements during this semester.