Art Arcadia residency in Italy.
I arrived yesterday in Italy for an 8 day residency in Pietrafitta, Italy hosted by Art Arcadia with my creative collective Mak9. The residency is aimed towards our next project, Riverbero, which will be an exhibition/installation in St.Martins in Belfast, a deconsecrated church now used for community projects as well as series of talks and workshops supported by the University of Ulster as part of the Festival of Art and Design.
So far I’ve been just settling in and getting over the travelling. Paola took me on a walk to get a feel for the area, Pietrafitta is her home village, very rural in the mountains south of Rome. Here are a few initial observations.
Melmore head, Donegal. 30/07/16
Back in Donegal for the weekend by myself, as I’ve mentioned before Melmore head is whereby family holidayed when I was a kid and is a place that shaped my imagination and connection with the landscape. It is so wild, full of vivid colour, rich textures and a real sense of being alive. I took a ton of photos trying to take it all in again, here are a few observations and a collection of small found things. A short, but refreshing trip, I hope to be back again soon.
Overcast observations, July, Belfast Lough
After not a great week feeling under the weather a short walk along the shore was definitely the right thing to do. Despite the overcast sky it was warm, even with the sea breeze and lounging on the smooth stones I was surrounded by textures, tones and shapes.
A Shoreline walk by Belfast Lough, last day of June.
Yesterday’s finds an observations on a grey, calm day cloaked in drizzle.
A Language of Landscape opens at Roe Valley Arts Centre
Saturday saw the opening of a Language of Landscape at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady, Northern Ireland alongside the exhibition by Katy English ” Drawing as Exploring”. Thanks to all who attended, especially Elaine Gaston for her poetry reading which tied in beautifully with both exhibitions. This exhibition follows on from my last solo exhibition and gave me the opportunity to extend both the manner in which I show as well as the work itself. It features a number of sets of wall mounted works further exploring materials, form and making- both through my utensil and tool forms in addition to my material drawings. If you are up the at the North Coast it’s worth a visit as it represents my best work so far (in my opinion!). The exhibition continues until the 30th of July.
Exhibition -A Language of Landscape
Next saturday the 18th of June my solo exhibition -A Language Of Landscape opens at Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in Limavady from 2pm. I’ll be showing a series of objects, finds, photographs and drawings. Hope you can make it.
Brush- finished.
“Brush” completed. I’m now working on its partner piece but I have had it suggested about considering the marks it might make. Which has got me thinking about further brushes, possibly another form to explore further. I’m always interested in domestic forms to explore as they represent the personal, the intimate -a simple place to set a story.
