Into the Wild...

The independent artists’ book HIVE IV is to be released into the wild on Saturday 1st April 2017. The publication of the book will coincide with an exhibition featuring each contributor’s original artwork at The Old Brick Workshop, Wellington, Somerset, throughout the first week of April.

 

The exhibition Private View / Book Launch will take place on Saturday 1st April, 18.00 - 20.30. A limited edition, signed copy of the book will also be auctioned on the  night.

HIVE is an ever-expanding group of artists associated with the occasionally-published artists’ book of the same name. Since 2014 there have been three issues of HIVE, each edited by different artists who have also set the theme for each issue. Past themes include: ‘Track 6’, ‘The Wrong Side of 15 Minutes’ and ‘Out of Line’. The concept of HIVE [that has since inspired the spin-off publication SWARM] was originally initiated by artist/educator Stuart Rosamond and artist Frank Edmunds to promote creativity and give exposure to the work of an eclectic group of artists, photographers and designers based in the South West and beyond. HIVE IV will feature the work of twenty artists;

 

Rico Ajao,  Chris Dart,  Roger Dean,  Frank Edmunds,  Jon England,  Tony Girardot,  Nina Gronw-Lewis,  Kevin Hawker,  Martin Jackson,  James Marsden,  Tim Martin,  Jane Mowat,  Natalie Parsley,  Eileen Rosamond,  Stuart Rosamond,  Ruby Rowswell,  Chris Taylor,  John Watling,  Rob Watts,  Deborah Westmancoat.

 

 and the list of potential contributors to future editions is constantly growing. HIVE IV is edited by graphic designer Rob Watts and will feature artworks responding to the theme of ‘Lost &  Found’.

 

Visitors are invited to celebrate the launch of HIVE IV with the artists at the Private View of the exhibition at The Old Brick Workshop, Wellington, Somerset, on Saturday 1st April, 18.00 - 20.30, where they can view the original artworks from HIVE IV [Lost & Found] created by its twenty contributing artists. This will be the first time that contributors’ works have been publicly exhibited. During the evening there will be a live auction when visitors can bid for a limited edition, signed copy of HIVE IV, as one of 22 copies only ever to be produced; proceeds of which will go towards funding future HIVE publications. The exhibition will remain open to the public to view for free from Monday 3rd April to Saturday 8th April, open 11.00 - 16.30.

 

Graphics and Photo by Rob Watts

 

HIVE IV [Lost & Found] EXHIBITION

The Old Brick Workshop

Higher Poole, Wellington, Somerset TA21 9HW Monday 3rd April - Saturday 8th April 2017 Open 11.00 - 16.30

PRIVATE VIEW / BOOK LAUNCH / HIVE AUCTION Saturday 1st April 2017 18.00 - 20.30

 

For further information please visit www.theoldbrickworkshop.com

 



 

Piggybacking Art on the Block 2014

Back in January I wrote a post about a block of wood I received in the post

http://spannerintheworkz.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/writers-block.html. The 'block of wood' was actually a blank canvas on which to create something that could be auctioned for 'Art for Life' at Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton. Despite my creative speculation as to alternative uses for said block of wood, I opted for the safer option to use it as intended and commenced by drawing my then recent obsession, a chameleon. Those of you reading this who may be more familiar with my previous work may remember my drawing-a-day project from 2013 that I've since continued this year, anyway, during that time I drew many different things and particularly enjoyed drawing lizards, reptiles and things with textured/interesting skins/surfaces/shapes. Loosely, that's one theory behind my decision to draw a chameleon...or at least I think so. They're pretty cool and this one's called 'Herman' so what's not to like?   

 

 

Link to bid on Lot 18 'Herman' : http://www.artforlife.nhs.uk/art-on-the-block-2014/gallery-1/lot-18/

In addition to 'Herman' the chameleon, you could also place a bid on 'Pigsaw' (pictured below) my transformed Orchard Shopping Centre pig seat which is also being auctioned for 'Art for Life'. The former wooden pig seats that resided in Taunton's Orchard Shopping Centre had long been left to rot in storage before the two remaining survivors were given to myself and Michael Fairfax to transform and revitalise (and believe me, they needed it!). Back in 2013 the idea was to auction the pigs after they had gone on tour of Taunton to raise money for The Brewhouse Theatre. The sad twist in the tale, was that the theatre went in to administration during the pig's tour and both 'Pigsaw' and 'The Polden Pig' were rescued but sadly it was too late for the theatre and due to its closure they went back into storage. In search for a happy ending to their tale and to ensure that they fulfilled their purpose to raise money for a local charitable arts cause it was agreed by the artists that the pigs be auctioned for 'Art for Life'.
 

 

Link to bid on Lot 89 'Pigsaw': http://www.artforlife.nhs.uk/art-on-the-block-2014/gallery-5/lot-89/

 
There you have it. A pig and a chameleon both in need of good homes. Admittedly, it is amongst my most eclectic of work I have ever made, but hopefully that adds to the appeal. We are very grateful to be allowed the opportunity to 'piggyback' on to the existing 'Art on the Block' event and I'd like to emphasise that there are many more works for auction by over 80 different local artists all in support of what is a very good cause.

If you are interested in bidding then please follow the info below which will direct you to the official Art for Life site:

The auction will take place on Tuesday 20th May 2014 at 6pm - 8pm in the Beacon Centre at Musgrove Park Hospital.

Visit the online gallery and make pre-bids on your favourite blocks (bidding closes on Tuesday 6th May 2014) or come along to the auction.  Tickets are £8, on sale now from the Art for Life office (artforlife@tst.nhs.uk or tel: 01823 342488), and include wine and canapes.

http://www.artforlife.nhs.uk/art-on-the-block-2014/
 

Writer's Block

So it has come to this... Is the beginning of the year really that un-interesting?

'A parcel!'

'I wonder what it could be?'

Thinks: Maybe it's a belated Christmas present? A free DVD? A book? Or no, better yet, an early birthday present!?

Opens.... 

'Uh, yay, it's a block of wood.'

Ok, so maybe I was a little disappointed but only because at the age of 27, I still have child-like, wildly over-the-top and romantic notions of what the post should be (it rarely lives up to this expectation). And whilst at first, it isn't exactly the most inspiring of things to receive in the mail it is indefinitely better than getting bills or bank statements. 

Anyway, it isn't just a block of wood, in actuality...

It's a cheese board for serving stilton, brie, assorted cheddars and biscuits,

It's a potable chopping block for your mobile carrot dicing needs,

It's the infamous karate block of wood that ten-thousand, yes ten-thousand of the best martial artists couldn't chop in half,

It's a step for when you need to be 1cm taller,

It's a pantone test board for 11_0601,

It's a shelf,

An uninspiring book-end,

A unique garden feature,

A prospective home to a wood worm,

A toad's and other small creatures floating transportation device,

It's an imagination enhancer-inator -the essential, must-have toy for next Christmas,

It's a percussion instrument,

It's an ornate piece of firewood,

It's the last thing an ant will ever see,

It's a 'colour-of-milk' testing board,

It's a poem,

It's a weapon in the wrong hands,

It's a poor subsidiary visibility-board so motorists notice you in dark conditions,

It's a tiny seat,

A ready-meal for a beaver,

An ill-formed Frisbee, 

It's something to talk to that's a really good listener,

A Zen-garden for a doll's house,

It's a physical manifestation of silence,

It's a modesty concealer for nudists,

A slate for your minimalist wood cabin,

A sledge for small cats or squirrels,

It's an unsolved Mensa puzzle,

A washboard without ridges,

A squibble-board for the popular sport of Huffle-whack,

A portable roof,

It's a sophisticated counting aid for the representation of one,

It's a life-form from Mars,

It's delicious...(putt) or maybe it isn't,

It's a ramp for ducklings to escape busy roads,

It's an ancient artefact used for mapping snowy tundra,

It's a shadow-spotting reflective plain,

It's a writer's block un-blocker,

...

It's a canvas for creating a unique piece of artwork on that can be sold, with others, at auction raising money for Musgrove Park Hospital, 'Art for Life'.

Oh!  

    That's right! This superbly cut, sanded and  primed A5 block of MDF is a canvas ready for the painting, drawing, collaging or any other media. Once complete, the block is sent back to the 'Art for Life' team where it is photographed and posted online with other artist's blocks (there looks to be about 100-200 artists taking part!). The public can then start biding online in advance prior to the auction which, this year, is going to be held at the hospital on Tuesday 20th May. All proceeds raised go towards supporting, 'Art for Life' which facilitates and provides an access to art in the hospital making a more welcoming, stimulating and supportive environment for visitors, patients and staff. 

Pretty exciting after all. Whilst I still admit to having an initial lack of enthralment at getting what is essentially a block of wood through the door, in reality, the potential of a blank canvas is most interesting and to reiterate, it's the opportunity to create something, small, unique and special that will be both an original piece of artwork for someone to own as well as raising money for an excellent local charitable cause. 

It was my intention to have fun with creating alternative uses for the canvas and I hope I have succeeded in demonstrating some of the delights, absurdity and possibilities that can come from nothing. The challenge now is to turn said block of wood into 'art' (Ho Ho, is that all and you thought the other ideas were wacky). I'm fortunate to have been invited to take part in this for the second time and on a more serious note, the standard is always high and it is a challenge I look forward to embarking on and contributing towards. I have a few ideas already, stay posted as I'll be putting more details of both my block, other artists' blocks and how you can bid on them here on the blog in the near future.

I've until February 21st to complete it so I'd better get going. 

And, well, you know if all else fails the cheese board option would make a pretty good backup! 

http://www.artforlife.nhs.uk/

And now, some shameless self-publicity

Well, there’s no point having a blog about your art work if you aren’t ever going to refer to any of your art goings-on. It’s on that note that I’d like to introduce you to ‘Snout and About’, a Taunton based art commission that I have been involved in since October last year.

A bit of background info courtesy of The Brewhouse;  “The Brewhouse and Orchard Shopping Centre have joined forces to launch a unique art project which will trot from place to place around Somerset's county town. Snout & About was developed to champion local artistic talent, support arts in Somerset and bring an exciting and memorable, piece of public art to the people of Taunton.

The hardwood pig benches were a much loved feature of Orchard, formerly known as 'The Old Market Centre' and loyally served the community as a meeting point, a resting place and children's attraction. Unfortunately after a decade, they were in worse-for-ware condition and were removed during the centre's refurbishment. Last year, Orchard donated the pigs to The Brewhouse so that local artists could breathe life back into them.
The pigs have now been reinvented as magnificent pieces of art thanks to the help of local artists Michael Fairfax and Natalie Parsley. Both artists independently renovated the pigs in a way that they felt reflected what they represented. This has now resulted in two unique pieces of art that have a hint of familiar, yet are new and innovative. The pigs are being kept under wrapped in blankets and will be revealed at the official launch next week.”

  

As a child growing up in Taunton, like many others, I have fond memories of sitting and playing on the pig seats back when The Orchard Shopping Centre was the Pig Market. As I grew older it became a place to meet friends on a trip into town. Now at twenty-six years old and as an emerging artist in Somerset,  I was incredibly honoured and excited to be offered the opportunity to transform, restore and ‘artistically enhance’ one of the Taunton pigs!

So if you fancy it come join us on Monday 11^th, at 11.00 in The Orchard Shopping Centre. I’ll also be looking forward to posting some images of my pig and writing some of my thoughts on here as the project unfolds.

Follow the project on FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/snoutandabouttaunton

Details of the Auction evening at The Brewhouse: http://www.thebrewhouse.net/main-house/1685/snout-about-charity-auction

Below are more dates of where the pigs will be and when:

Mon 11 Feb - Orchard Shopping Centre
Tues 12 Feb - Taunton Library
Wed 13 - Thurs 14 Feb - The Museum of Somerset
Fri 15 Feb - Imagine Design Create at Shakees
Sat 16 - Fri 22 Feb - The Brewhouse
Sat 23 Feb - Goodland Gardens
Mon 25 Feb - Fri 1 Mar - The Deane House
Sat 2 - Sun 3 Mar - Castle Green
Mon 4 - Sun 10 Mar - Orchard Shopping Centre
Mon 11 - Fri 15 Mar - Musgrove Park Hospital
Sat 16 Mar - Vivary Park
Mon 18 - Fri 22 Mar - Somerset College
Sat 23 - Sun 24 Mar - St Mary Magdalene Church
Mon 25 - Thurs 28 Mar - Ginger Fig Gallery
Fri 29 - Fri 5 Apr - Orchard Shopping Centre
Sat 6 Apr - Waterstones
Sun 7 Apr - Taunton Marathon
Mon 8 Apr - Market House
Tues 9 Apr - Taunton Library
Wed 10 - Fri 12 Apr - Museum
Sat 13 Apr - The Brewhouse