Ursula von Rydingsvard

Wonderful exhibition at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
She uses commercially cut lengths of timber, and builds them up organically to make sculptures. The above 'mama, build me a fence' is lengths of cedar leaning against a wall. The wood has been cut, and drawn upon by graphite and chalk. 

 'Hemorrhaging Cedar', above, is a cast made from abaca paper (which comes form a rare species of banana). Von Rydingsvard makes a cedar-wood relief, then creates a cast. Hanging on the walls of the Underground Gallery, it looked like cloth; below is a photo of the cast, close-up.

A knitted coverlet, made by the artist's mother. Exhibited at the YSP. A connection to Von Rydingsvard's interest in the domestic world of women, and the peasant background she came from. There was a collection of farming, and domestic implements on show; objects she's collected over time. I loved this exhibition. A mix of grand gestures, massive sculptures, and smaller drawings. Showing a fascinating mix of materials (stitched cow's stomach, anyone?) and techniques. The exhibition's on until January 2015, so I'll be sure to visit again. It has depth, and layers which I think will lend itself to many visits. 

eggStone stoneEgg

 

Happy Easter.

studio wall

Some of the collage samples I'm currently working on, pinned up on my studio wall. I'm using lots of the plant-dyed fabric I've made over the last 12 months or so. And I'm going through the fabrics I dyed on the City & Guilds course, and various fabrics I've collected, and been given.
These are all going towards an exhibition in November. It seems a long way away, but it will soon come round.

above & below

And this is the updated photo. Not quite the whole sample; but most of it.

This is one of the samples I'm making. Fabric collages. This one is called 'My Family' and the fabric comes from my dad, and my brother. It has frayed edges. Lots of frayed edges. That we regularly find in families.

 As above......

.........So below.
The sky in March was spectacular. Not today though; we've had 3 days of pollution warnings, and grey, grey skies. Like being stuck in a gloomy November. It feels like a time machine; we're in April, and heading towards spring, yet the world feels as though it's winter....brrrrrr.
Those daffodils were caught on a day of brilliant sunshine. The daffs are almost gone now; but other plants are coming through. I've planted seeds; peas, beans, lettuce, courgettes, tomatoes, peppers. Some are in pots, and on windowsills, some directly into my raised bed, and protected by glass. I'm looking to the future; yet aware of the past.
My mum would receive daffodils from the Mothering Sunday church service. It was Mother's Day last Sunday. I took flowers to the grave where her ashes are. I put some daffodils in. She still had them, for Mother's Day.

20:20 Print Exchange

Wakefield ArtWalk; 26 March 2014

My print is top left; my friend Carrie's print is bottom left. The 3 prints on the left hand side, are mostly relief prints, which is why they look like blank sheets! It was clever display skills to clip tiny bulldog-clips to the prints, and hang them from nails hammered in the boards.

I love this print! Made me laugh out loud! I want one of these! Haven't got the artist's name; I'll try and get it. I hate putting up work unattributed. Bad manners.

This basket was made by Lois Grey. Part of the Visual Impairment Group exhibition at Fell House. I am so impressed by this. Just weaving with thread was difficult enough for me. Lois has used withy/willow; it can be hard on your hands. I wanted to stroke it; but wasn't sure if I'd be reprimanded if I did!

And I met Stuart Maconie! Disc-jockey of Radio 6; I used to listen to him and Mark Radcliff on Radio 2 when their show was on in the evening. I don't get to listen to them as much, now they've moved to an afternoon slot.

Mr Maconie is a very nice man; who happily signed his book 'Cider With Roadie'!