Art Spotlight winner! ‘Mussels from the Esk’ by Ruby Tingle (
@ruby_tingle )
“This work stands out for its fantastical blend of natural materials and mythical subject matter, placing it between the tactile, physical world and an ephemeral dreamscape.
It feels especially relevant at this time of year, as the clocks move forward and we enter into spring (although spring in Manchester might be a little optimistic…)
I’ve always been drawn to magic and fantasy. ‘Mussels from the Esk’ blends contemporary collage with folklore, myth, and the forces of nature. It successfully harnesses the energy and softness of wind through the movement of fabric, set in tension against the grounded, weighted figure in red.
There is a compelling ambiguity in what the figure holds: an object emitting a bluish-green glow. Is it the essence of life, or some alchemical force capable of restoring balance to nature? From the title we must assume it is a mussel - although it seems no ordinary mollusc. The work resists easy interpretation and invites the imagination to wander in a realm of fantasy.
I love this kind of work that leaves you in suspense. Rather than giving everything away at once, the artist asks you to stay with the image while it slowly unfolds. With no face visible, the figure appears neither wholly benevolent nor evil, standing on the far edge of a shifting liminal space.
It makes me wonder whether our attraction to the magical and fantastical stems from a desire to reclaim a sense of agency in a contemporary culture that often feels disempowering. Folklore and fantasy invite us to reflect on the reality of our time: secularity, digitisation and commodification. Perhaps magic and myth are most compelling, and most empowering, in times of collective powerlessness and disconnection.” -
@rebeccagarrard8
Selected by the 1838 Collective team.
If your work wasn’t selected, keep an eye on our Instagram as well be reviewing all submissions for next month’s Art Spotlight!
If you haven’t entered your work yet, check the pinned post on our page for details on how to enter.
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