Sunday 22 July 2012

Adriana Groisman

http://www.ffotogallery.org/adriana-groisman-voices-of-the-south-atlantic

http://youtu.be/ml1uKKVevBM

I walked into town yesterday; as I passed the Peninsula Gallery, a large board of images caught my eye. The Exhibition on show was "Voices of the South Atlantic" by Adriana Groisman. It was the final day of the exhibit.  I was glad that it had drawn me in, but saddened that it was the final day. When I left the gallery, Adriana ran out after to me to ask if I would write in her book of comments. At first I thought "who is this mad woman chasing me!" but I stopped and she told me that she was the artist and liked to have peoples' views of her work. We spoke briefly as she had little time before she was due to catch her train. The work had left me with an emotional response and tears welled in my eyes. When I respond emotionally to a piece of work, I can say very little, it is only later that I am able to think about the work and make a response to it. An emotional response is a sign of a work that has proved its worth, it had touched me and I recognised its importance.

The Falklands War remains clear in my mind; to hear the voices of those who experienced it on both sides, was at the same time heart breaking and uplifting. The voices spoke of what they had done, how it has affected them and of the friendships British and Argentinian have made together.

Adriana's images of the sea where names of those lost were printed on each block, are metaphoric reminders of the fragility of life and the power of governments. The portraits and voices of those who experienced that war spoke with dignity of their losses and their pain.

Here is a Mobile image of part of the board of names


I would have liked to have spoken to Adriana for longer and wish that I had seen the Exhibition sooner as I would have returned to view it again. There was more to see than at first viewed.

Saturday 7 July 2012

Altered Book beginnings ...

I set up my table today so that I have a space to work, and began my Altered Book. To being the process I painted some pages ... I like to start this way because the colours I use motivate and inspire me ... the blank page is so off putting ... concentrating on the colours and the painting, empties my mind of all useless and unnecessary thoughts. Ideas then begin to form ... at least it works most of the time. If no idea surfaces, I just leave it for a while and return to my art work when I am again drawn to it. 


The Altered Book is not something to rush. It will probably take me a few weeks to complete it. 





My new Book ...The Allotment ..

Here is a link to my book "The Allotment" ... documenting a year in the life of .... 
A personal project dedicated to my Dad (1921 - 2010)

http://www.blurb.co.uk/my/store

Click to preview book

Friday 6 July 2012

The Beginning of the BA (Hons) year .....



Wild Flowers in the City 


Thoughts .... study of wild flowers
woodland trees ... plants ... flowers ... 

I am drawn to a subject within nature ...my passion is to photograph nature ... 

Conservation .... Environment

A vast subject area ....