ARTISTS TALKING

# 1 [19 May 2012]

Some photographs. First port of call is to work on a book of visual reference, take more photographs, collect more flyers, more drawings, that sort of thing. These were taken with a rather odd lens, in Ifan's studio, I quite enjoy them, I even tried to draw while holding the lens up to my eye, although it didn't work so well as I was drawing from video, the actual experience of trying to draw something in motion with a composite eye almost, was disorientating but still interesting!

# 2 [24 May 2012]

Made in Roath festival 2012.

I'll be publishing it soon, but Milkwood gallery have asked me to work with them as guest curator for awhile, and my first duty is to get a call for expressions of interest put out for an exhibition for the Made in Roath festival 2012, just to see what sort of work and ideas we get coming in, the official call will be out this weekend hopefully, if anyone whos interested could get thinking about possibly using the space that would be great.

www.madeinroath.com

www.milkwoodgallery.com

# 3 [29 May 2012]

As part of the degree show, we were asked if we would like to create a painting that will be available for £40 with two options of either keeping the lot, or splitting it 50/50 with the painting department. Seeing as this painting will be made with the intent to sell it, I couldn't help thinking about John Baldessari's Tips for artists who want to sell. 

Considering I have a fondness of black paint and nondescript imagery the work is not particularly 'sellable' as such. But nonetheless it's good to be painting again.

The painting itself I have decided on a diamond shape, gloss & matt black study for another Crime Season painting or perhaps for a new set of paintings from drawings I've been doing at Roath Park of people in canoes and pedalos. I think their appeal comes from the Isle of the Dead video drawings, where the real life of drawing comes from the objects in flux, instead of the static monuments; like in Isle of the Dead it was the ferries, and in these Roath park drawings its not the beautiful lake itself but the plastic pedalos. This combined with watching loads of Bill Viola documentaries; I'm subconsciously being drawn to water.

# 4 [27 June 2012]

Update.

Currently showing a few paintings and a video piece from the Isle of The Dead series @ tactileBOSCH as part of the CITIZEN III show, if you happen to be in the area it would be great if you could check it out and let me know your thoughts! Until 15th July Wed - Sat 12 - 5, Andrews Rd, Llandaff

With the work displayed, its become quite apparent that I would like to display, somehow, somewhere, the entire series; drawings, videos, paintings, photographs all make up a comprehensive analysis on the subject matter and its peculiar connotations. 

Im also going to be talking about Art Schools and my practice at this month's FORUM on Thursday (28th) which will be held at g39 and im showing with Newport Photography graduate Louise Hobson, which should be exciting, her work looks fantastic! 6.30pm Oxford Rd, Roath (Behind the Ernest Willows)

By necessity becoming more pragmatic too, films and drawings are becoming more appealing compared to 6ft square paintings. 

# 5 [17 July 2012]

CITIZEN closed last sunday, I think it was quite well recieved, the private view was quite busy which is always good. A few more of the Isle of The Dead paintings are being shown at a show in Hotel Nosda in Riverside, Cardiff opening on the 21st of July. Isle of The Dead 6 was been selected by Peter Finnemore for a show that he's curating called Graduate at the Wales Millenium Centre which will start in September, which is very exciting. But im itching to make new work, and this is exactly the kind of drive I need to make it. Although the work for the show has already been completed, its good (for me) to keep producing work so that ideas and concepts get the chance to develop and flourish, or perish and change, or whatever path they may take.

Also editing the perfromances from CITIZEN which will be put on my vimeo account as soon as I get the chance.

# 6 [12 August 2012]

B I T Present: TUNNEL VISION

the first in hopefully a series of project exhibitions, this one is an exploration into communication at its most fundamental level.

With this show, we have divided the space into two and made one exclusively accessible to children, and only visible by children. The whole point of denying the adult audience the second space is that they have to rely on childrens drawings that are made once the children have left the space, and the minimal information we provide. Their section is curated to their height, appropriately, while the kids show is curated t their height. I think that this is a great way for kids to possibly become more involved with art at a more accessible level, not only because its at their height but within the gallery context it gives them an idea of what art can be, introducing new environments, and making sure that they know they are going to be the artists, musicans, designers, architects, and illustrators of the future. Well, thats what I'd hope.

show runs from the 6th til the 20th, wed-sat 4-6pm, all images from the show and scans of the kids drawings will be on

www.twitter.com/bitcardiff

www.facebook.com/bitartcollective

# 7 [18 August 2012]

Since leaving art school approximately two months ago, work naturally has taken a hit, to make more time for all manner of fun things like paying rent and working out council tax. However I have been alot more impulsive with making work, take for example a new video piece titled Flicker/Flutter filmed on a whim and almost out of necessity. 

It features a moth that I caught the night after I thought that I dreamt I was being harrassed by a giant moth while sleeping. Turns out I wasnt dreaming. Soon as I managed to catch it, my light source began flickering wildly, cutting out for extended periods of time. Akin to the flailing of the moth entrapped, the light eventually gave out, before reappearing just as the tape ran out. So although technological issues ran amok throughout production of the piece, it fitted the energy of the piece quite well, and could continue as a series of the fate of insects that bother me during the night....

Beginning to get really interested into the lives of Cicadas, the noises they make with their ribs is incredible!

https://vimeo.com/46297982

# 8 [21 September 2012]

Just a quick post mentioning A show im curating at Milkwood Gallery, titled 'Croeso I'r Rhath' 12 - 28th Oct featuring the work of

Laura Cooper (www.lauracooper.co.uk)

Carwyn Evans (www.carwynevans.com)

Mark Houghton (www.markhoughton.com) 

Tiff Oben & Helene Roberts (www.tiffanyoben.co.uk)

Becky Williams (www.jasonandbecky.co.uk)

meeting Laura today to explore Roath, and get her piece together for Made In Roath, which is less than a month away.

Full press release for the show coming soon.

# 9 [19 October 2012]

B I T  S T U D I O S 

South Wales art collective B I T are opening artist studios in East Cardiff very soon, all money has changed hands and we are halfway through a wood sponsorship for dividing walls.

The Studios are aimed for recent graduates, so they are affordable, open plan and importantly, safe. They will house approximately 8 artists and will feature monthly crittorial sessions, and termly exhibitions of the studio holders. Although the space opens November, there are already projects as part of 'Cardiff Contemporary' underway for the first year of B I T STUDIOS. A couple to tantalise the eyes are a Graduate Residency Scheme and Market events.

Keep eyes and ears peeled for Cardiff's newest contemporary artspace, B I T  S T U D I O S, Fox Ln, Roath, Cardiff, CF24 1JN.

spaces are still available, get in touch for a viewing

bitcardiff@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/bitstudioscardiff

# 10 [14 December 2012]

Just finished a review of the Artes Mundi Prize in Cardiff. Find it here: http://www.a-n.co.uk/interface/reviews/single/2779243

Also nearly finished editing a video of new work, it looks at connection, grief and loss, in a somewhat physical manner. Creation of a memory, and a way to preserve that memory for recollection.