thegallery@theendofthelane: October 2013

Welcome!

Saturday 19 October 2013

today's project

Crocheted piping trim (from Freegle) & wire- limited in size because of how much trim I had- and massive crochet hook! Still quite hard work to get hook through as both piping and wire have no give.

Decided to be a pyromaniac again and set fire to it...
Hung it on bird table. Like the way the charring and wire contrast- and some of the wire started to go a little black..

A section that didn't get burned....

And now for the fun bit...

I love the way one item can look so different from alternative angles, using different photographic effects- and how an abstract piece of art can be created.

Videos won't upload.... sorry!

Monday 7 October 2013

Interesting how framing something makes it "kosher", proper, real art. Why is this? Do we need the frame to give it value, credence?

I do like this though, in the box frame- space in front and round to breathe and yet kept safe. I guess I have to accept my art does need framing sometimes, if only to protect it so if survives a little longer...

new materials...

I had a fantastic time on Saturday at Kingshill House, Dursley, learning about glass fusing, something I've wanted to do for as long as I can remember (along with glass blowing... that will have to wait a bit!)

Never having worked with the material, just coveted and lusted after it in a big way, I had no idea if I would get on with it at all. Luckily, unlike stained glass which needs total perfection for it to work, fused glass is more forgiving.

I decided, a little ambitiously, that my first piece would be a bowl, using the colours of Hundertwasser and the 1970s combined... I know, sounds awful, but I think it's going to work...

BTW the checked white background is the matting to stop it breaking being transported back to be fired!

It was a long obsessive morning so I decided to just have a bit of fun and perhaps make some Christmas presents in the afternoon- a poppy field and some abstract pendants and broaches, using a millefiori bead which should open out in the correct heat in the kiln, some diachroic glass (which is bling and gorgeous!) and experimenting with brass and copper pieces which will oxidise and do interesting things when fired.... So all very exciting. Unfortunately have to wait till 17th October to get them back, but will keep you posted!

Thank you Caroline Lambert for a fantastic day and helping me find a way of working that makes me very happy!

Intimate Immensity: St Ives

A wonderful exhibition by Pam Bowden was our treat this weekend at the gallery- beautiful, calming photographs evoking the tranquility and amazing light of St Ives in Cornwall. Her work suited the intimate space of the horsebox, perfectly, and yet there was the wider view as you gazed down the lane and towards the Malverns...

It was also wonderful meeting so many friends, old and new, and I am delighted that we raised £40 for SHAPE Africa to fight disease and poverty- such killers in much of the continent. SHAPE currently has projects in Uganda and Ethiopia- for more information please take a look at http://www.shapeafrica.org.uk/

Our next exhibition is the weekend of 16-17 November when Alison Kirby will be showing "Koloni- A view from Greece". She is spending a month there and I understand that most of her luggage was art materials, so we know we're in for a treat! Her work would make lovely Christmas presents as well!

Tuesday 1 October 2013

Paul's clocks

Some of you might be aware that Paul Dingley now offers his art in the form of clocks. I thought I'd let you know how attractive they are- and what fantastic presents they make. My two sons, who admittedly, are quite into art, (nothing to do with me, guv) both insisted on me buying them one each as they loved them so much. and a number of other people commented at the exhibition on how they are interesting and yet easy to look at at the same time- the kind of art you can comfortably live with, but always find more to look at.

For more information take a look at Paul's Facebook presence:

PAD Art and Design

Looking for a gallery with a difference?

If you're an artist, and looking for somewhere to exhibit, why not contact us? We are looking for up and coming artists who need a lucky break! It's good on your CV, it's lots of fun, and you get to eat cake! Not bad...... The horsebox is ideal for story telling, an installation, as well as more conventional art forms and we're happy to help you put shelves up if you wish (as long as you put the gallery back to it's original afterwards..)

We look forward to hearing from you soon, or welcoming you to one of this year's exhibitions.

Alison Kirby: About Making Paths

About Making Paths

This residency will look at the people's ways: the paths in the wood. I foresee that this will include an investigation into old records and maps, land use records, parish records. I want to know some history, but also to identify, if I can, individuals crossing the land and using paths to get to work, for church, for family, to play or to court. I want to know how the paths are referred to, if at all. I want to explore classifications, notice anything that differs from today, that jars. How far back I go is a tantalising question: even geological time is relevant, as the shapes of the land and the nature of its earths, stones and rock provide resources- building stone, roof stone, limestone - and dictate the shape, stability and course of paths to them. People carve the paths that the land form allows.

I want to look at the way people make 'ways', and what the routes and paths in the wood mean now, and have meant. Where did they come from? do they link? How did those we have today survive? What called them into being, kept them alive, relevant, useful or necessary? Did they have names? Reputations? Myths and stories about them? Once I have a feel for this, I will respond.

I anticipate making maps, potentially making small installations and drawing individuals. My theoretical paradigm is phenomenological, my active research based in grounded theory made by collecting data using a form of cultural anthropology.

Will I make way-stations, memorialise individuals or specific track histories? Will I make a new use for the network of paths? Will I add a new pursuit or hobby to the walking-for-pastime that may be all the motivation there is to use the paths nowadays? Collect this, build that, provide postboxes and stamps?

Old paths come from old ways of using the land, old rights and accustomed use. Those that have made it onto official records and maps as bridle ways and footpaths have (usually) survived over considerable periods of time. They will have served a number of purposes at any one time, and over time different usages will have come into being. Or have not, and foot traffic will have ceased.

Can paths die?

Linda Davies- artist in Residence

Residency at The Gallery at the End of the Lane, Dursley. 13 July – 19 July 2015

‘Shelter’

Linda Davies, who is completing an MA in Fine Art at present, writes about her residency:

This title has been inspired by the horsebox itself. Fragile and slowly decaying, it does nonetheless provide some shelter from the elements for the creativity that goes on inside it.

I would like to use the horsebox to respond to the idea of shelter, and what it can mean to people in the wider context. I intend to make a cast of the horsebox, and turn it upside down to suggest the shape of a boat. I will make this from simple materials, newspaper and wallpaper paste. The cast will be very fragile, and may in fact disintegrate as it is being made, depending on the weather. This fragility and uncertainty will be part of the response to the idea of shelter.

Event

A picnic will take place on 19th July at lunchtime. Please bring some food and drink if you want to attend!

thegallery@theendofthelane