After the first Shrewsbury Open Studios weekend last week, this week is busier as I took down my exhibition at the Hive today, and then must change around my studio in readiness for the second weekend of the Open Studios on 10th/11th June, whilst also preparing for installing the Collage Now show in the VAN Street Gallery on Monday 12th June.
My co-curator, Peter Williams and I did an interview yesterday about the Collage exhibition on Red Shift radio with Mark Sheeky in his Artslab studio. A thoroughly enjoyable experience, and it was a real revelation to discover another layer of arts activity going on in the back of a fine old building on a rainy day in Nantwich.
Here is a link to the full programme:
https://www.mixcloud.com/RedShiftRadio/artslab-ii-26-with-mark-sheeky-on-redshift-radio/
The interview is in about three five minute slots, starting about 20 mins into the programme. We didn’t get much chance to prepare beforehand so the interview is quite spontaneous for all three of us, and there is some interesting insight into the background to the exhibition, and our individual artist practice. But not as much as I’d liked to have said about the contemporary relevance of collage or about all of the other artists involved. Nice to have a chance to promote the exhibition to a different audience though.
For now, I’ll point out that there will be a free workshop event during the day on 17th June, with a private view from 5.30pm that evening. I’ll say a bit more about the exhibition in a later post.
Shrewsbury Open Studios
Its six years since the last time I opened my studio to the public, and this year there are 34 artists taking part. Its a lot of work to prepare – in theory its a great opportunity to sort the studio out, which I do to an extent, but then end up shifting stuff out of sight only for it all to return when the crowds have gone.
Crowds is a slight exaggeration, as visitor numbers were a bit down on previous occasions, but there are a few factors at play. The large number of artists taking part in the town centre has a impact on visitors willing to make the effort to walk an extra 5-10 mins out of town to my studio. Plus the Shrewsbury event also coincides with open studio events elsewhere at Shropshire Hills art week and Borderland Visual Arts. I’m expecting a lot more friends/family visitors next week though for an event organised by my wife, Julie.
Its quality not quantity. I’ve had some fascinating conversations about my work and a whole host of subjects including maps, geology, edgelands, walking, mathematics, patterns, architecture and much more. I’ve already made enough sales to more than cover the costs of the event, so with another weekend to go, I’m feeling pretty positively about it. Here are some images:
It is an anxious time, allowing potential strangers into your personal working space (and in my case, my family home). The open studio experience is quite different to the pristine gallery exhibition experience. My studio is overcrowded with art work, so some of it gets overlooked. But it isn’t a gallery, it just offers a little insight into where and how I work. The engagement with audience is more informal, and people seem to be less inhibited about asking questions and giving feedback. Its been invaluable to hear some of the reactions to my work.
Come along next weekend! Open Saturday and Sunday 10th/11th June, 10am to 4pm.
5 Park Avenue, New Street,
Shrewsbury, SY3 8JG.
This year, my daughter Eliza, is also exhibiting some of her artwork including paintings, pastel and other drawings, pottery and the three books we have published. These are on display in the “Little House” in the garden. She has been thrilled to guide visitors round her show.
This still life is my favourite:
In Parallel and Entwined
I received some great feedback on my show at the Hive from a variety of different people. The venue attracts a good footfall for music/theatre events for all ages, and many different arts/performance/creative workshops, mostly for children/teens. Here are a few pictures:
No Time Like the Present 