Coming to Poimena as the 2021 artist in residence has been such a breath of fresh air. To be part of such an enthusiastic cohort of students at the beginning of their academic year was a real privilege. Hats off to Paul Snell and all the art department staff for launching the year with such an exciting, experimental and exploratory project for the students. Students’ in their senior years have so much pressure to perform and achieve good grades. This can sometimes hinder their willingness to experiment outside of their expertise. Yet the creative process is full of the unknown, the what ifs, being vulnerable, getting messy while learning from making so called mistakes… curiosity, focus and passion have to be key players. I’m delighted to say the students embraced the challenge which was specifically designed around my own practice. A very open self-directed project called “The Distorted Lens”, where the brief was “to explore the notion of disrupting and disturbing pictorial space. This may be achieved in multitude of ways. It is always important to consider composition but, in this exercise, we would like you to use a Distorted Lens. Manipulate, Stretch, Warp, Wrap, Fold… This disruption may be subtle or overt.” Another aspect of this project is that in May, I will be exhibiting in the main gallery of Poimena, and the senior students whom I worked with will be also exhibiting their final work with me! What a wonderful program.
I had no idea what to expect when I arrived but was warmly welcomed by both staff and students.
On my approach I was greeted by this magnificent Magnolia tree, a fitting analogy for Poimena. I was struck by the oddness of the picket fence when I first arrived, built to protect this salient guardian of the gallery... imagine the stories embedded in its enduring presence. It commanded my attention day and night, mysterious in its knowing of past and future. Curious of its secrets I got closer through the language of paint. It was only then after a prolonged time of looking, I could see this tree was like all the students in this show, strong yet fragile, exquisitely beautiful, and surprising unique in their story, already well crafted. The fence, being the staff, protecting whilst still allowing them to grow. It has been a real delight to be part of this moment and to be privy to some of their creative discoveries. I hope we will all savour our curiosity and embrace our own freedom in restraint.
Huge thank you to Louise Middleton these amazing photographs, anyone one who knows me knows I find it almost impossible not to pull a silly face when I’m near a camera, so Louise you truly are a miracle worker to get these images…. kudos xx