Artist in Residence

Alison Kirby has already started her month long artist in residency, by making all kinds of exciting discoveries about the local area in her research on land boundaries, ownership and the history round Coaley. For instance, did you know there was a Roman temple nearby, on the way to Uley? And have you ever wondered what is over beyond the gliding club at Nymsfield....? and of course we know that there is a long prehistory in the local area- the long barrows on top of the Cotswold escarpment, the Iron Age fort at Uley Bury and so on. But how about those mysterious green lanes that have almost disappeared round Coaley, the tracks up to the top that are solely bridle paths now, but once must have had riders and their horses taking them on business, travelling up and down the Cotswolds, herding the sheep that were the mainstay of income in much of the area... and all those springs. Is it surprising that there is evidence of prehistoric and Roman worship in a land that bursts forth water?

It is exciting to see what Alison is uncovering, and it will be even more revelatory, when we see the art that springs from those discoveries.

Introducing Artist in Residence- Alison Kirby

We are delighted that Alison Kirby will be artist in residence in September 2014, as she works on a body of work, through research followed by an exhibition at The Gallery at the End of the Lane.

As she expresses her ideas:

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.



For more information about her proposal please read on sidebar.




If you would like the opportunity to be artist in residence for up to a month at the gallery, please contact me. We can take bookings for 2015 as well as for the rest of this year.

Looking for some funky contemporary art? Paul Dingley, an artist based in Stroud, produces colourful, fun and provocative art that you can live with in your living room.... Their instant appeal to both children and adults is remarkable, and with a mix of colourways, you'll soon find something suitable for you and your surroundings, whether at home or in the office. Paul strongly believes that art should be affordable to everyone, and that art should be accessible. You can even see a selection of his work (which is for sale) at a local hairdresser. How cool is that?

Paul takes commissions as well, so if you are looking for something special, come along and meet the artist on Saturday 5th April and have a chat about your ideas!

Exhibition at The Gallery at the End of the Lane commences Saturday 5th April, 1.30pm, teas served raising money for SHAPE Africa, from 2-4pm.

new exhibition- 29 March

We are delighted to be showing an exhibition of art created by young musicians studying with Time to learn Piano- creations inspired by their experiences of learning to play the piano and sing, and responding to a collection of contemporary and 20th century art portraying music and musicians.

Teas and cake in the retro caravan will be for sale, raising money for charity.

This is a great opportunity for family and friends of music students as well as those interested in art to mingle and share the enthusiasm for music and creativity shown by these young people.

Exhibition 11-4pm Saturday 29 March

Inspired by exhibition at The Jenner Museum May 2014

The proposal forms are now ready for circulation...
So if you would like to participate in this exciting exhibition, bringing together art and science, medicine and creativity, here is your chance.

The exhibition will be taking place in the first 2 weeks of May 2014, but proposals need to be in well before then.

For more information please contact me- by email or phone.

We hope to produce a really stimulating and dynamic response to his work in a beautiful Georgian rural setting·

sorry!

Sorry I haven't been keeping in touch these last couple of months- the usual excuses like Christmas, and now busy preparing for an assessment for my MA. I'll be uploading some photos from that very soon.

In the meantime, to whet your appetite here are a few...

My work has been based on an old dictionary, from 1936, that I found. I've been randomly opening pages to choose a word that attracts me, cutting it out, rolling it up and then creating a "chrysalis" round it in papier mache, using the rest of the page. Some I have skewered onto fish hooks as I make them, some are tied on to them later. They are then suspended from a net, crocheted from fine wire and fishing line, to be looked at from below. Are they trapped, or are they suspended? Is the word set free or concealed?

And why 81 of them? That's how many years ago my grandparents arrived in the UK, not really speaking English. Indeed they may have owned a dictionary like this one.

And that stringy thing? I've made crocheted "wasp nests" as a friend has described them, stuffed with bits of dictionary. Set fire to it (video as well!) then dip the charred remains in wax- to preserve, to seal, to contain. There is something very deep about looking into the inner sanctum of those sculptures- not quite sure how, but they profoundly move me.

And why language? Because it's all we have. It makes us human, but it is what divides us. Language is beautiful, both to hear and to look at its image, but can be cruel, fatal. By ripping up the words am I destroying them or creating new ways of expressing myself?

One of the pieces I'm working on is made up of pieces of dictionary page reformed so that the alphabet is no longer  in order. I then doodle, make grafitti, scribble, again, as my mind takes me, often when on the phone or listening to music so I am deliberately not really engaging with it. Fascinating what the mind picks out...

More on this next time!