I’ve been experimenting in my studio at university, using dead plants, newspapers and wool, I have been creating sculptures. I have found that whilst creating these sculptures I have found that I enter that creative flow that I normally do when I am in an open landscape. I found this really interesting as I previously felt I could only create whilst in the landscape. This caused me to question why I feel this, the process of creating my own landscape is where my creativity flourishes. In my mind I am picturing a place with no influences or constraints of society, my creativity is a process of enjoying this moment, with no judgements. Everywhere I turn I am faced with barriers, glances and judgements, my landscape is my escape.
Following the previous installation, I walked further down the beach to the edge of the land where I could look out to both sides of the river.
I found an interesting spot with large pieces of driftwood. Materials that had been discarded by nature, I felt inspired to make use of this material. I began with using wool to create a spider web pattern around the pieces of wood. I used bright coloured wool to do this. During this time, I wasn’t thinking about much, I was immersed in the flow of creativity and pattern making, I feel his way of working is reminiscent of Kusama’s work, the repetitive cycle of pattern making.
During the process the weather turned and became exermely windy, this didn’t put me off. I found this influenced my work positively, the wind caused the wool to flow away however due to the wool being intertwined it created and amazingly bright flowing effect. I stood amongst the flowing movement of the wool, at this moment I felt at ease, surrounded by nature, solitude and creativity. This is what I had been searching for.
The unexpected influence of the wind on my work added an interesting twist, I would like to create more work where I won’t know the outcome due to the unpredictable elements of nature.
On this day I was feeling increasingly frustrated with the landscape around me, I was missing the landscape in Wales. The freedom, the ability to climb high and look across the world below me. This was important for me, to be able to recharge my batteries and be re-inspired. Everyday problems seem irrelevant when compared to the vast size of the land.
With this in mind I went for a bike ride in search of this feeling, armed with minimal materials (newspaper, pritstick, scissors and wool), I found a small piece of beach, unspoilt and deserted. Jut what I had been looking for. I could finally relax. I sat and created this newspaper pattern piece. The patterns were inspired by the patterns on the tree bark. The process of repeating this pattern was my way of releasing the frustrations I feel from urbanisation. I experimented with photography, putting the art piece in different places, in a way putting my own imprint on the location.
Here is a set of works I created in response to a pattern making session in the studio’s. I began with creating a 2D piece using triangular shaped newspaper cuttings. The shapes I created developed from the image of slate tips, I sight which I was faced with all throughout my childhood. I then took these shapes and created a piece using the repetitive pattern. I decided to further develop this piece by taking it into a landscape setting.
It is important for my being to make new discoveries and immerse myself into nature and beautiful landscapes, this is what inspires me to create and to keep living! With this in mind I took some newspaper with me when I went to a local forest, I found a spot where I felt an inner calmness, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which I often become frustrated with. I then began creating, cutting, sticking, repeating.
I then experimented with creating structural forms: Cubes. Again using the recycled materials. I feel this was very effective as it gave my work some form, an order. I think the cube could be developed into larger, stronger forms.
I have been doing some extensive artist research for some inspiration as I would like to develop my work into installations.
David Nash: I was given the opportunity to visit David Nash’s studio’s, his work inspires me as he uses natural materials, mainly wood, and manipulates them with a saw and various cutting tools, creating all kinds of forms.
A piece of advice he gave me which increased my confidence was to keep going with the subject I have been focusing on, and develop my ideas by doing what I enjoy, not to worry about the end product. For me, the process is what I enjoy.
El Anatsui is an artist who uses recycled materials such as tin can’s, and creates large installations. His work demonstrates how recycled materials can be moulded to give a delicate appearance and create an amazing installation.
Andy Goldsworthy: Uses natural materials and scene’s to create his work. His work inspires me as it shows you don’t need all the fancy art materials to create an effective piece of art work.
Judith Scott: Suffers Down’s Syndrome and deafness, art was self taught and her way of dealing with a lonely life. She uses discarded materials to create sculptures. Her work is individual and demonstrates the various 3D forms that can be created using discarded materials.
Yayoi Kusama: Uses a repetitive method in her work, she creates patterned work and turns them into installations that take over the whole room and immerses the viewer into her work. I feel I work in a similar manner, by repeating patterns. I feel my work could be effective if I went on a larger scale like Kusama.
