Hope and Poverty, a multi-disciplinary art exhibition from 14th-18th February 2012
Artists from all over the world have been invited to submit work based
on their interpretation of Hope and/or Poverty, from which an exciting
collection of work from over 30 artists has been selected and will be
displayed to raise money for street children and impoverished families
in the Philippines.
Three of my paintings have been selected by the curators to be displayed on the February show:
'Parallax AF grew out of an international exhibition called “Parallax” that was conceived and curated by the art historian and theorist Dr Chris Barlow. Parallax AF is different from other artists’ fairs in that it is like a specialised exhibition. It is a serious platform for international and national artists to present their work to national and international dealers, art industry people, collectors, critics and buyers without commission charges. This also provides artists with the benefit, if they wish, to present non-commercial work, or to try out new commercial ideas, without high overhead risks often associated with other fairs. Parallax AF is also smaller and intimate than other fairs, and held in a professional gallery space in central London. The shows are curated by a professional guest curator, having the feel of an organised exhibition, and catalogue essays are written by specialists. Parallax AF aims to provide a key service in helping artists to promote and sell their work, as well as providing a platform for developing their careers and practice.'
New work: ' Fatelessness' - in tribute to the Genocide of European Roma between 1939 and 1945; and Imre Kertesz
Continuing my roma painting series, inspired by Kertesz Imre's writings, I would like to dedicate this work for the vicitims of the Genocide of the European Roma during WW2. I've borrowed the title fatelessness from Kertesz, to reflect on their hopelesness and defencelessness.
As Kertesz wrote in Galley Boat-Log (1992): 'Simone Weil. London, 1943, she was willing to eat only the same portion of food a day as the French got for their food coupons in the German occupied France.However, how much the Jews got to eat in Auschwitz, nobody talked about.' (excuse my brief translation!)
An exhibition of work by artists and craftspeople from InBristol Studios. Thursday 24th February to Saturday 5th March. Open daily 10-6 (11 - 5 Sunday). Assembalage - Ceramics - Collage - Furniture - Jewelry - Painting - Printmaking - Stonecarving - Upholstery - Wood carving - Plus live demonstrations
Kertész' best-known work, Fatelessness (Sorstalanság), describes the experience of fifteen-year-old György (George) Köves in the concentration camps of Auschwitz, Buchenwald and Zeitz. Some have interpreted the book as quasi-autobiographical, but the author disavows a strong biographical connection. His writings translated into English include Kaddish for a Child Not Born (Kaddis a meg nem született gyermekért) and Liquidation (Felszámolás). Kertész initially found little appreciation for his writing in Hungary[2] and moved to Germany. Kertész started translating German works into Hungarian[2] - such as The Birth of Tragedy by Nietzsche, the plays of Dürrenmatt, Schnitzler and Tankred Dorst, the thoughts of Wittgenstein - and did not publish another novel until the late 1980s.[3] He continues to write in Hungarian and submits his works to publishers in Hungary.
A film based on his novel Fatelessness was made in Hungary in 2005 for which he wrote the script.[3] Although sharing the same title, the movie is more autobiographical than the book. The film was released at various dates throughout the world in 2005 and 2006.
Writing in his journal Galley Boat-Log (Gályanapló) in May 1965 Kertész suggests ‘Novel of Fatelessness’ as a possible title for his work and then reflects on what he means by ‘fate’, the entry is worth quoting at length.
The external determinacy, the stigma which constrains our life in a situation, an absurdity, in the given totalitarianism, thwarts us; thus, when we live out the determinacy which is doled out to us as a reality, instead of the necessity which stems from our own (relative) freedom – that is what I call fatelessness.
What is essential is that our determinacy should always be in conflict with our natural views and inclinations; that is how fatelessness manifests itself in a chemically pure state.
The two possible modes of protection: we transform into our determinacy (Kafka’s centipede), voluntarily so to say, and I that way attempt to assimilate our determinacy to our fate; or else we rebel against it, and so fall victim to our determinacy. Neither of these is a true solution, for in both cases we are obliged to perceive our determinacy […] as reality, whilst the determining force, that absurd power, in a way triumphs over us: it gives us a name and turns us into an object, even though we were born for other things.
Accession8 Female Artists invite you to see their collection of works on identity, gender and migration ---------------------------------------
Come along to our exhibition on 16-17 October between 11am-5pm. We are venue 36 and this exhibition forms part of the West Bristol Arts Trail taking place in Clifton, Clifton Wood and Hotwells next weekend.
We are a group of eight UK-based female artists from the so called Accession 8 (A8) countries that joined the EU in 2004.
This joint exhibition, a collaboration between artists and non-artists,
is a reflection on our lives, identities and perceptions. It evolved
out of a series of discussions on our experiences of being
f emale migrants living, working and studying in the UK. By exploring
our personal stories and experiences, we wanted to present our point
of view, confront the stereotypes of Eastern European women and UK media portrayals of them. We wanted to present our version, our perspective and hear your opinion about it.
Grab your friends and come along to see our work, have a chat and a snack!!!
About Malvern Theatres Nestling at the foot of the
dramatic Malvern hills, Malvern Theatres is a major centre for the arts
in the West Midlands. Home of the famous Malvern Festivals, founded by
Bernard Shaw and Barry Jackson in 1929, the theatre has recently
celebrated the tenth anniversary of a £7.2 million refurbishment. Hailed
both locally and nationally as a model of artistic and architectural
excellence, Malvern Theatres boasts a diverse programme of drama,
comedy, music and dance involving the biggest names. It comprises three
auditoria: the 800-seat Festival Theatre, famous for its programme of
top touring drama and musicals; the Forum Theatre, a flexible space used
for concerts and dance, as well as a 400-seat cinema. Visit the Theatre
and see this exhibition yourself; you can see what’s on at the Theatres
and the cinema here.
If you work as an artist it is vital to have a studio where you can hide and work undisturbed, and preferably it is well lit with natural light - this is very important! I've attached a few pictures about my studio space, that you can see below.
I've tried to work at home before, and it is different for everyone I belive - some people prefer to stay home - but there is just too many things that interrupt you, and maybe you will end up cleaning and doing the dishes. Your studio is your sanctuary, a sacred place where it is all about art- and you can be brave with the paint, don't have to worry about the floor or the wall, make as much mess as it is necessary...
I will be exhibiting abstract paintings and selling small prints and cards at the Southville centre, in the Cafe area - as you enter to the centre it is to the left - on the 8 and 9 May 2010, Saturday and Sunday.
About the event: The eighth Southbank Bristol Arts Trail will be a weekend of arts and performance in homes, churches, community centres and public houses around Southville, Bedminster and Ashton. Over 55 venues will be opening to show work from over 150 artists, makers, performers, musicians, and others.
Venues will be open on 8 and 9 May 2010, between 11 am and 6 pm, welcoming the public to see and enjoy the festivities in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Some venues may also open on the evening of Friday 7 May.
The latest in arts and crafts will be showcased and sold to the public by more than 40 local and regional artists. Open 10.30am to 4.30pm.
Sunday 21st March, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. Free entry.
The fabulous Art Market is back this Spring to showcase a selection of the best art work produced in Bristol and the region. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere, have a chat with the artists and perhaps indulge in a slice of homemade cake!
There will be a children's area including a clay and ceramics workshop throughout the day and both Bocabar and the funky Diner will be open as usual.
It has been a unique and valuable experience for me both personally and artistically to work with mums and babies in the Wellspring Healthy Living Centre. As a professional artist I have been painting portraits for nearly 10 years. I've always been fascinated by the human body, the emotions and expressions that a simple movement can transmit. Witnessing this special connection between mother and child, this very special bound was very inspiring for me.
As an artist I always observe and pay attention to the details. I try to understand what I see and interpret it to a visual language. On the session I have seen and felt a lot of love, patience and caring. This unexplainable feeling of motherhood was present in the air. This is what I tried to capture in the drawings the way the mums were holding their babies, or just sitting next to them but always with them watching and guarding. At first when the sessions started I could see that the mum's were a little bit shy and maybe scared to see themselves on a drawing, worrying how they may look, not having enough confidence. Then I could hear them sometimes saying surprised: 'Oh you draw me so beautiful'. As I spent more time with the group I could see their confidence getting stronger, and the mums were a lot more comfortable being a 'model'.
I want to talk about colours and how important they are. I don't want to talk about artificially generated and manipulated colours that all around us in the city. The real colours are made by nature and mother Earth.
Some of you might think it is not so important, but unfortunately the human race lost connection a long time ago with this natural source. But, it is still not late to get it back...
Sky blue:
Have you noticed that your mood changes when you can see the sky in the morning and you wake up for a lovely sunshine? This is the colour blue. When you are fortunate enough to have a nice day like this, take a few minutes and look at the sky. Just stare at the colour without trying to think of anything else. This will fill you up with piece. It will give you energy to start your day with honesty and helps you to say what is on your mind.
I have been reading a brilliant book lately, (Maria Szepes: The Red Lion & The Elixir of Eternal Life), if you interested in spirituality even a little bit it is a must to read....
This is a very helpful review by Dennis Waterman: This book can be read as a novel and on that level it is quite entertaining
as it follows the five primary lifetimes of our protagonist in a 300 plus
year span of a maturing Europe. During these lifetimes our main character
deals with the manifestation of most human qualities; the lower ones such
as lust, greed, ignorance, passions, and anger and also the higher ones such
as the desire for knowledge, health, long-life, wisdom, a still mind, and
energetic calm. The author spells out the karmic consequences of these strengths
and frailties so that the reader cannot possibly overlook them. Beyond these
unveilings there are philosophical insights such as, “The body’s weapons
are passion, desire, sensuality, and yearning after beauty. The spirit’s
weapons are aftereffects of these desires---nausea, disillusionment, suffering,
aging, and death. The soul is the bridge on which the two forces fight continuously.”
This tome is valued highly by the worldwide alchemy community for its in-depth
understanding of the science of the soul as well as the science of the body.
It is an impressive work that alludes to what is real while keeping the important
information out of the everyday reader’s hands.
This three hundred and seventy seven page journey begins with the following stern warning:
“No one should start thoughtlessly down the path of the arcane
sciences, for once he starts he must persevere to the goal. Otherwise, he
will be lost. Once on the path, a single doubt will produce madness, a single
stop will cause a fall, a single attempt to shrink back will plunge the luckless
soul into a bottomless abyss.
You who are now beginning to read this book will be either a king or a madman
once you have finished. You can do what you want to with it; you will never
hate or forget it. If your heart is pure, it will be a shining torch; if
your heart is strong, it will be a weapon in your hand. If your heart is
wise, it will become still wiser. But if your heart is base, this book will
be hellfire to you; it will brand your soul and weigh your conscience with
eternal sorrow and restlessness.”
--Eliphas Levi
It is unclear to me if Levi is writing about this particular book or one
of his own, and although I am no great fan of Levi, take his warning to be
real, Szepes must have wanted you to or she would not have placed it up front.
Of course if you are reading this review you must have some interest in the
subject matter already. I believe that all human beings are on this path
from the beginning it is just that sometimes their connection to the path
is temporarily misplaced. My final counterpoint is that although the consequences
of slipping from the original intention of liberating yourself are indeed
more severe than minor failings of the will they will not send you to a ‘bottomless
abyss’. Since we live quite naturally in a magical universe it amazes me
when individuals use the spoken or written word to create such dramatic exaggerations.
Or is it that in his dualistic reality such is indeed true for him? For those
with an education (including religious indoctrination) dualism seems natural.
From my viewpoint it is natural for those that dwell largely in the left
brain and much of what I (Dennis Waterman) write is an attempt to get the
reader to break with this (accepted) pattern. I have chosen this moment to
spell it out for you so that those that need to hang on to their precious
answers can make their break for the exits.
Late in the book the main character becomes an assistant and student of the
Count Saint-Germaine, as the Count (possibly) leaves this earthly plane he
reveals ‘The Eleven Rules’: which are
Love God above all else.
Use your time to develop your soul.
Be completely unselfish.
Be sober, humble, active, and silent.
Learn the origins of the ‘metals’ in you.
Beware of charlatans and liars.
Constantly revere the highest good.
Learn the theory before you try to practice.
Practice charity toward all beings.
Read the ancient books of wisdom.
Strive to understand their secret meaning.
I applaud this advice wholeheartedly and know that insofar as all of us are
able to follow this guidance the world will be a better place to live. As
regards ‘lists’, ‘commandments’, and all other forms of guidance I wish to
mention my memory of a fragment of the gospel of Thomas (censored from the
current bible for centuries). In it Christ is asked, “Why do you give us
only two commandments, whereas Moses gave us ten?” The profound answer from
Christ is, “If you understand not even one commandment is necessary. If you
have no understanding not even ten times ten times ten commandments will
be enough.”
The signposts that real teachers leave for us are called Truth, Love, and Peace. Follow your heart!
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Did you know by the way that 8th of March is the International Women's Day?
