Tag Archives: collective exhibition

woodland sculpture, Workshops

Sculpture Trail for Spring 2019 gets Official Support

Following the success of the ‘Into The Outwoods Sculpture Week’ event last spring, the Loughborough Outwoods Management Committee have given their approval to plans for a bigger and better event in spring 2019. The event will include free creative art workshops for the public as well as a six week long ‘Sculpture Trail’ through the woodland itself. The organisers, Loughborough ArtSpace, are now seeking funding to stage the event and make it a reality.
The event will take place next April/May and will follow on from an eight week ‘Artist Residency’ by local Sculptor Nita Rao in February/March. She will be making work in the woodland in response to the environment, temporary ephemeral work as well as more substantial pieces which may form elements of the sculpture trail. In addition ArtSpace hope to commission around 10 artists to make work specifically for the sculpture trail. All work for the trail will be installed mid April and the trail will be officially opened with a weekend event at the end of the easter holidays, 27/28 April, including free creative drop-in workshops for the public.
A full programme of events will be announced as the plans develop. You can also follow the event via facebook : IntoTheOutwwodsSculptureTrail2019.

Art Exhibitions East Midlands

INSIDE/OUTSIDE – 10TH JANUARY TO 23RD FEBRUARY 2019

VENUE: Sock Gallery, Loughborough Town Hall.

Open 9am – 5pm    Mon – Sat.

A group exhibition by ArtSpace.

21 members of ArtSpace Loughborough present an exhibition on the theme of ‘Inside/Outside’. In varied media, they explore how the inner and outer worlds of our lives connect. Sometimes this is literally the contrast between interiors and outside as seen through a window or doorway, or hinting at natural patterns in a man-made environment. Some artists wanted to focus on their private creative thinking in relation to the bigger world. Some artists chose to think about the contrast between our inner lives and the self we present to other people.

Art Exhibitions East Midlands, woodland sculpture, Workshops

Images from Workshops

Following are images from the numerous workshops that took place as part of Into The Outwoods Sculpture Week in April 2018.

Some  were ‘skill share’ workshops, led by artists for artists, others were ‘drop-in’ workshops aimed at the public.

Felt Skill Share Workshop.

 

Willow Skill Share Workshop.

 

Ceramics Skill Share.

 

Drawing with Metal Skill Share.

 

Natural Materials Skill Share.

 

Drop-in Workshops.
Art Exhibitions East Midlands, woodland sculpture

Outwoods Sculpture Exhibition On-Line

Ten Artists  celebrated art and nature in this temporary woodland sculpture exhibition. They made work in response to the Outwoods and the natural rhythms of our environment, some of which was created on site in the lead up to the exhibition.

Jo Sheppard

Me And My Boy.

Better known for her paintings, Jo Sheppard used the Outwoods Sculpture Week as an opportunity to produce three dimensional work using willow. Inspired by her love of horses, she  produced a brood mare and foal using a sustainable sculptural process (as it is made purely from willow with no metal frame or support structures).

Me and My Boy, Foal.
Me and My Boy, Mare.

Jacqueline Palmer

This Tenuous Earth.

‘This Tenuous Earth’. Iron and steel

My work is mainly about the interlinking of the terrestrial and the celestial and a reverence and humility in the face of Nature.
I have exhibited in three ‘Sculpture in the Garden’ exhibitions at National Trust properties. The Outwoods Sculpture Week has enabled me to work on a larger scale and is a continuation of a piece I exhibited some years ago called Matter and Material.

This Tenuous Earth.
This Tenuous Earth.
This Tenuous Earth.

Nita Rao

Taking Root. In our cycle of decay and transformation old bones become new shoots, symbolic of healing in our chaotic world. Walk into the space of stillness within, walking through or crossing over, this can be our renewal.

As stone turns to sand and sand turns to stone with the passing of time, so our world is in a constant state of flux and renewal. I hope my work is an echo of this.

Through working with willow and natural materials I have become ever more aware of the cycles of change within the natural flow of the world around me. To be able to combine art and nature for the Outwoods has been a joy.

Unity Of Time. The serpent looks to the future and to the past while existing in the present moment. Made on site from natural woodland materials.
Unity Of Time.
Keeper Of The Woods. Willow.
Inner Stillness. Walk in and sit down, take a moment away from the chaos of everyday life. Willow, muslin and wood.
Inner Stillness.
Guardian Angel. Willow and steel rod.
Guardian Angel. Willow and steel rod.
Changing World. Technology : Is it taking over or making the world a better place ? Willow, electrical cable and plastic.
Tree Spheres. Willow.
Tree Spheres. Willow.
Tree Spheres. Willow.
Tree Spheres. Willow.
Tree Spheres. Willow.

Judith Eason

Tree Trunks and Roots.

I have a background in graphic art and a degree in printmaking.
My printmaking and my painting work focuses on nature and the environment. I have always had a keen interest in the crafts and knitting has enabled me to create these tree stems. I have made an interpretation of tree trunks with their roots and the textures of bark.

Sally Reayer

Pine Cone. Raku ceramic and Outwoods pine cones.

This piece is made from cones of crank clay and low fired using the ancient technique known as Raku. The cones are set in a stoneware tray and contain cones collected from the Outwoods.

Woodland Birds. Stoneware Ceramic.
Woodland Birds. Stoneware Ceramic.

Sally Reayer and others: ‘Ceramic Woodland Birds’ This installation has been created cooperatively by a small group of artists during a skill share workshop. The birds are made from crank clay and fired to stoneware temperature without glaze. They represent and celebrate a range of British birds which reside in the Outwoods.

Woodland Birds. Stoneware Ceramic.
To draw the eye. Painted recycled frames.

Sally Reayer and others: ‘To draw the eye’ . Take time to stand and stare. Take time to stroll and listen. Take time to enjoy the sounds and the scents of the woodland. Free yourself from the noise and rush of life if only for an hour.

To draw the eye. Painted recycled frames.
To draw the eye. Painted recycled frames.

Alison Folland

‘Rooted to the Past’

My work is about the objects we gather throughout our lives, to remind ourselves of events, people and moments in time. These objects prompt our memories and result in stories. Stories we tell and retell to remind ourselves of those we love and experiences we had. Stories to enlighten, to warn, to guide, to explain what we don’t understand. To remind ourselves of times past. With each telling the stories change – layers within layers, of memories, thoughts, belief and hope. Ultimately, stories are about the ties that bind; weaving those you love closer together and keeping them safe.

‘Rooted to the Past’

Erica Middleton

‘Forest Floor’ – ceramic and mixed media.

Originally trained as a painter, I’ve approached this new foray into sculpture as a three- dimensional extension of some of my 2D painting work which explores painterly surfaces and characteristics.

This three-part work echoes forms, textures and colours found on the forest floor such as bark, rock, fungal growth, twigs, holes and general detritus. The out-sized robin’s nest stands apart, but is linked in form via the arched twigs.

‘Forest Floor’ – ceramic and mixed media.
‘Forest Floor’ – ceramic and mixed media.

Susan West

Involute (Homage to Hepworth). Rope, mostly recycled, whipping twine and steel.

I am usually a 2D artist and this is my first venture into sculpture. This work is inspired by waves and by Barbara Hepworth’s sculpture of the same name.

Involute (Homage to Hepworth). Rope, mostly recycled, whipping twine and steel.
Involute (Homage to Hepworth). Rope, mostly recycled, whipping twine and steel.

Sue Barry

Bark. Felt, bark and twigs.

Sculpture inspired by walks through the Outwoods. Stopping and looking around me, observing beautiful bark found on the trees and woodland floor, taking in the beauty of the natural landscape.

Created using hand wet felting techniques, mixed media and willow.
Sue is a mixed media artist who has worked as a Community Artist, across the East Midlands, for 25 years.

Bark. Felt, bark and twigs.

Pam Everard

“Counting Blessings II”. Found objects.

There is so much to enjoy in the woods but it’s hard to stay in the moment and focus on the present. When in the present for long enough to hear/see/smell/feel something special Pam rewards herself by picking something resembling a tally stick off the ground. For the last few weeks she has collected sticks in this way and has arranged them appropriately to see how well she can discipline her mind.

“Counting Blessings II”. Found objects.
Art Exhibitions East Midlands, woodland sculpture

BBC TV feature ArtSpace !

ArtSpace were delighted to be featured in the BBC East Midlands Today programme on Monday 30 April !

Following unprecedented interest in the ‘Into The Outwoods Sculpture Week’ event and after around 2000 public visited over the sat and sun, a film crew came to record a feature on the Monday morning which was then broadcast in the evening and late evening news shows that day.

Art Exhibitions East Midlands, woodland sculpture

SCULPTURE PROJECT GETS THE GREEN LIGHT

‘ArtSpace Loughborough’ have been successful in securing funding to stage an outdoor sculpture event in the Loughborough Outwoods in April 2018. The Outwoods hasn’t seen an event like this before, so it will be a first, with a temporary woodland sculpture exhibition and a series of art workshops.

12 artists will be involved in setting up a temporary sculpture exhibition in the area of woodland next to the Outwoods car park and bungalow.  Artists will be showing their current work, as well as work developed collaboratively in a series of skillshare workshops. The artists will also run a series of ‘drop-in’ workshops for the public (adults and children).  Workshops will take place in the Outwoods, using the outdoor exhibition as a dramatic venue.

Charnwood Borough Council, The National Forest and Arts Council England have all agreed to fund the project proposed by ArtSpace. Nita Rao, a professional sculptor and key ArtSpace member, says
“we have wanted to organise an outdoor sculpture event for years, we finally found the perfect venue and have now been assured financial backing to stage what we hope will be a fantastic and unique woodland art event that will benefit many, artists and public alike. Thanks to the Arts Council England, The National Forest and Charnwood Borough Council! “

The idea was hatched by some of the artists during their regular dog walk in the Outwoods. They walked once a week, whatever the weather, over the course of a year, observing the changing seasons. This provided the inspiration, and although a larger sculpture trail is planned for the future, Artspace are delighted to be hosting this sculpture week in April.

The Outwoods is a beautiful place, especially in spring, so why not combine a walk in the woods and visit the exhibition, and perhaps take part in a workshop.

The artists will be developing work on site and setting up their woodland exhibition between Tues 24 April and Fri 27April.

Free drop-in workshops for the public, including feltmaking and working with willow and natural materials, will be run over the weekend of Sat 28 – Sun 29 April, mornings and afternoons.

No need to book, just turn up and get creative ! Its Free !
To find out more visit our website www.artspace-lboro.co.uk or our facebook page IntoTheOutwoodsSculptureWeek

Art Exhibitions East Midlands, Art Exhibitions UK, Artspace Art Exhibitions

Belonging to the Group

I have been a member of Artspace Loughborough for a decade now having been a member, moving abroad,  and come back so I thought it apt to write a few lines about belonging to an art group.

As artists, we tend to work in a fairly solitary manner. However in order to evolve, it is essential we communicate with like-minded people every so often,  to support one another and divulge ideas.

One thing which I particularly like about being part of the group,  is the diversity of  the work of our group members. We often have positive critiquing sessions before we collectively exhibit. These are useful, insightful meetings where we show our work, conceptually, part way through, or finished and talk it through with others.

Skill sharing is another positive feature,  which allows us as artists to evolve.  We all use a wide variety of media,  and can learn and share other skills on a didactic level as well as really useful things like setting up an exhibition (and all the jobs it entails!)

 

We all share a common interest which is a love of art in all of its’ forms. I highly recommend to anyone who is considering it. Find your tribe and stick to them.

Anna Michalska