out & about - june

Out and About is over - boo hoo! See my previous post for an overview of this fantastic project. The images below show our visits to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Leeds Art Gallery and The Hepworth Wakefield, part of The Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle. 

What I've enjoyed most about Out and About is the depth and breadth of art and sculpture the participants were able to engage with. Each visit building on what had been seen and considered before, gently developing a comprehensive knowledge of contemporary sculpture. Its been a tactile first hand experience engaging hearts and minds as we've shared personal viewpoints, ideas and feelings in relation to the work.

The Hepworth Wakefield was the venue for our final sessions with the three schools involved and with cake and squash we celebrated the achievements of children, parents, teaching assistants and teachers. We hope to see the children again and gave out gallery guides detailing our free family workshops this summer. In the last few days I've met a couple of the children at these workshops and we were really happy to see each other!

 Exploring YSP

 Large Owl (for B), Thomas Houseago at YSP

 Yet to be titled (Large Walking Figure), Thomas Houseago at Leeds Art Gallery

 Drawing outside Leeds Art Gallery

 Talking with the children outside The Hepworth Wakefield

Working in gallery 5 - Franz West and Barbara Hepworth

giant sculpture

Had fun this weekend supporting sculptor Gillian Brent building giant furniture outside the Hepworth Wakefield. Families were inspired by Franz West and his interactive works that are activated and only become art when gallery visitors sit on sofas within the exhibition. 

 Table with fruit bowl

 Table and cup

 A giant bed, carefully wrapped with wool

Detail of a wool wrapped chair and table

the grand depart

Much excitement in Yorkshire this weekend as the Tour de France set off from Leeds. We got into the spirit at The Hepworth Wakefield inviting families to work together to build a giant cyclist viewable from the sky. Our cyclist was drawn by a very talented 6 year old and scaled up to 15 x 9 meters, families used sports and play equipment, including skipping ropes, bean bags, colourful parachutes and swimming noodles to create our drawing on the grass outside the gallery.

A really wonderful weekend with so many fantastic ideas from the children. With thanks to volunteers Ann, Hilary, Partick and Sophie. Thanks also to Alex who took the first photo below.

Saturday 5th July

Stage 1: Leeds to Harrogate

Sunday 6th July
Stage 2: York to Sheffield
With thanks to volunteers Hilary and Rebecca

over and under

Thrilled to be exhibiting with Lucy Williams during the Leytonstone Arts Trail which began today in various venues in E11, London. Over and Under is showing at The Stone Space until the 13th of July. We both haven't exhibited for a couple of years so the trail provides a perfect opportunity to tentatively open up practice and meet local folk.

This is our joint statement:

We met at an Arts Trail meeting earlier this year and found a connection with our practices, the cross overs are the materials we use and thought processes and concepts behind the work. We use time consuming methods, working by hand to stitch and knit exploring issues such as belonging, absence and place. We also shared that finding time for our practices was a challenge and hoped that setting this goal could provide a springboard into making more work.

We decided to use the Leytonstone Arts Trail to begin a conversation between selected works. We wonder how meanings may alter and new ideas emerge from this staging and the possibilities of future conversations together. 

Over and Under at The Stone Space

Selection of works from my Close Knit project

Lucy Williams, Worn Jackets (detail), 2014. Jackets, wool and buttons