Post 21 // Research 'A Gift For Others'

This research project is a collaboration between University College London Cancer Research Institute and CSVPA (Cambridge School of Visual and Performing Arts) with input from Madlani Cancer support. The event was devised and brilliantly realised by Ed Dimsdale (Head of the Graduate School CSVPA).

I am honoured to have an installation of mixed media illustration on show as part of the research (unfortunately the exhibit is not open to the public). Below is my written statement and a selection of work I made. The plan is to exhibit this and more at a later date (although exhibiting work that doesn’t break one financially these days is proving harder and harder!) Doesn’t stop me trying!

It was a fantastic and thoroughly engaging process to make such a personal response and get to meet and talk to incredible people.

Post // 5

I thought about describing myself as a hoarder for the purpose of this minimally read blog (hello my dedicated reader) but it would be a classic exaggeration when all I’m talking about is my notebook collection. Inside the pages of my fifty plus books there are what amounts to quite a lot of words. That is my angle: a serious hoarder of words, with connotations of free local newspapers stacking up with tunnels to the kitchen, possibly a rat nest or at least mice in the far corner. Objectively and subjectively - I’m sure there was a reason to write these words....

There is a reason!

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Post // 4

Below: illustration for a recent award… all about tall ships arriving by night to race around the world.

Above: for the Critic magazine

Post // 3

Hello my eight wonderful readers! I appreciate you, each and every one.

Agnieszka Zajac kindly sent me a copy of her very good book ‘Why Collage’. Thanks Aga! I was honoured to be a part of your very well put together book. The format is a nice big image with some words from each artist below. The publication is sponsored by Kanyer Art Collection kanyerartcollection.com

It’s always interesting to hear how artists approach their work or why they make what they make and this small but perfectly formed book does it really well. I love it when people are really honest as well as insightful.

Some lines from my favourites…

From Inga Markstrom @absurd.mirror ‘Collage for me is an escape from the intensity of the world around us’

‘I’m not very good at drawing and collage gives me the opportunity to create whatever I want.’ Margot De Korte @margotbirgitte

‘There is something about seeking out and noticing small things that is a kind of joy, a kind of gratitude even. I feel very calm, focused and in-flow when I create.’ Leo Taylor @ordinary_shapes

‘I am not hugely talented, but I was always inspired by language(s). Come to think of it collage is just another language - or a set of related languages, some of which lay dormant and are yet to be discovered. I like to think that I speak my own collage dialect quite fluently.’ Harri Kalha @harri.kalha

‘The beauty of creation lies in knowing there are no wrong turns in making collage…’ Emanuela Massa @emanuelamassa_

‘Aesthetics and evoking emotions that viewers feel in my artwork are very important to me.’ Edyta Ciosek @edytaciosekcollages

This is just a small taster - there’s loads more great images and information from the artists in the book. Buy the publication direct from Aga via her instagram account @_agazart_

post // 2

Hello. It’s 11am. I’ve stopped for my usual caffeine fix to which I am happily addicted so taking the opportunity to write a short note in my blog. This happened a while ago and is out now: Aga Zajac kindly asked to feature a piece of my collage work in her new publication ‘Why Collage’. The book looks absolutely great and my work in the company of some fantastic artists. Agnieszka’s work is wonderful.

Agnieszka Zajac website