Digital Dialogue: An exploration in Time-based Art

Well today saw the preview of my first exhibition, 'Digital Dialogue:An exploration in Time based Art' which is currently being held at St.Donats Art Centre, Mid Glamorgan, until 15th December 2011

This is a fantastic exhibition space which is a really good size small enough to not loose its intimacy, it has an informal quality through space, light and structure that I think is productive in reading the work exhibited. I can't explain how good it has been to do this now and to be quite honest I feel revitalised by the whole process, not only as a new experience in itself, (I can now say that I am extremely comfortable with stretching canvases and doing corners (those in the canvas profession will know what I mean) and hanging pictures but to also remind oneself of the artist within, often this can get lost or pushed out as teaching takes over, really its about getting your allocation of time right making sure you don't lose sight of your own conceptualisation and craft. I've had fantastic support through this process also as the women involved are all members of Atlantic college teaching staff, a veritable hotbed of support and creativity, so a big thankyou to Maddy and Lucy. The diversity that is evident in the exhibition is wonderful to see, from macro abstract photography of flowers to installation pieces exploring the preproduction process, to my own animations exploring human conditioning from media influence and mind control through peer pressure.

It was wonderful to see my work projected on a large scale and to see the reactions from people and this is a prominent memory of the evening, people watching on mass of my work. Some students said it was scary but I hasten to add thought provoking - which is always my main aim. Many people came to ask questions about how it was made and the time that each piece took to produce as they had not seen anything like it before which is a compliment in itself. Many people commented on the layering and textural quality of the work.

The communication between the 3 exhibitors is key and we have worked really hard to produce a unique and diverse exhibition. I have got such a rush out of doing this that I have suggested that we do this yearly using this platform as a way to show off new work all fellow members were in agreement, we have enjoyed the whole process. In fact I have started on the new animation already inspired by music and pre-empting the '2012' media frenzy that will happen. Watch this space. Storyboards to go up shortly.

An outline description of the exhibition can be found at the following link

http://www.stdonats.com/category/gallery

2011 onwards and upwards

I'm starting the New Year of 2011 with the intention that I actually post things up on here regularly, unfortunately there has been a bit of lull of late. So we shall start with the much anticipated visit to Coleg SirGar by Matthew Gravelle fellow Llanellite, Newport MA Course leader,award winning animator, man of many facets and strings to his bow. I cannot tell you how good it was to see him.
Matthew was his usual lovely self and gave lots of information both about his films and Newport Animation and was a real inspiration to the students giving his time to look and advise on students work. The relationship to Llanelli had a huge bearing on the students, and having an outside speaker who orginated from the area and could relate to the students was a huge bonus.
Needless to say I have had loads of positive feedback from the students with some wanting to change direction to animation!! I have also had feedback from many that they would definately go again if the opportunity arose.
Round of applause for Matthew!!!!!!!What a star!!!