Some notes and sketches
Five years ago, I had a timely opportunity to spend two months @cove_park on the beautiful West coast of Scotland on an artist residency.
It was after the six months pause after leaving the role I had at Camberwell running an MA course for 12 years, supporting the development of material-based practitioners.
It was the first moment when my own practice has become the central focus of my work. So, I took a very small set of carving tools and a bunch of books, fully intending to work on myself and understand my methodology and tools.
This time to Læsø, I just brought myself and some Japanese lacquer work tools, and again more books. I wanted to focus on openness and receptivity, so that I can weave my practice into the existing ecology of the place, and it does into mine.
I work with found elements and to find a composition/configuration that brings forth a presence of dynamism - quiet or bold.
Here in Læsø, I'm extending this way of working to things beyond material things. They are all how energy is expressed, as stories, forms, drives, whims, chance encounters.
Here these are some of the notes at the wonderful studio of #PerKirkeby. Many relate to stories I've been collecting on this mythological 'Island of Hlér'.
@laesoeartistinresidence
#læsø
Beauty that is each of their own
As I arrived here on Læsø about a month ago, I began by going everywhere (on foot or bicycle) on the island to acquaint myself with the feel of the island. I've been collecting marks that are left behind by the movements of all things : the wind, the tide, creatures (including humans)
At Haabet, we are close to the southern shore of the island, where I often walk down to. Each part of the island's shore has its own distinctive expressions. Here the shallow waters, the numerous rocks and the grassland. I also hear the birds as if they were the voice of a singing grass. (In fact, I hear all kinds of springtime bird songs all day long, every day)
Each day, and every part of the day, reveals to me beauty that is each of their own
#læsø
A rock garden on the shore
From the second day on Læsø (now more than two weeks ago)
I've encountered so much beauty in many forms here.
Rocks here have a presence (some even have names - a bit like in Japan..), perhaps more so than other places because of the flatness of the land and the shores?
I'll share more soon
#rockgarden
#læsø
Dynamism
travels from one being to another
A sentence that came to my mind as I began exploring the area around the place, Haabet, on Læsø, where I am based until June.
One of the very first photos I took here on the island as I began to explore the area, is this pile of wood (I have a thing about them)
I came past the same place a few days later, to discover it had been transformed into heaps of wood chips.
I was in awe of the timing of this transformation, as it spoke to me with such clarity, of the principle of my practice, for which I am exploring new forms of expressions, locations and contexts at this residency.
What I am drawn to is a kind of dynamism that - feels as though - travels to my being. I've already come across so much of it in many forms here in the past week.
It is a good start
#læsø
#beginning
@laesoeartistinresidence
With the spirit of Per Kirkeby
My studio and home for the next 3 months at Haabet @laesoeartistinresidence where Kirkeby used to spend the summer months working.
So looking forward to getting to know the island Læsø, the process which will shape the next stage of my practice.
It's my first day sitting down in the studio since arriving a few days ago, as now the weather is stormy.
I have been spending more of my days absorbing the spirit of the place, walking and cycling around.
My big gratitude to Læsø Kunst og Kultur for giving me such an inspiring opportunity
#læsø
#denmark
#artistinresidence
#perkirkeby
Deep ecology
One of the books I'm revisiting while away on the three-month artist residency on the Danish island of Læsø I'm about to embark on.
I'm delighted to be given this amazing opportunity to stay and develop work at Haabet, Per Kirkeby's former studio on the island.
I'm looking forward to learning more about his methods of work, together with that of Asger Jorn's.
I'll be exploring ways to bring my practice - the way I work with elements of things and their endless possibilities to form a dynamic constellation (aliveness) - into places, engaging with the land, communities and stories.
I came across Næss' work during my time as an academic, searching for holistic ways of learning and facilitating
skill and knowledge acquisitions.
More to follow!
@laesoeartistinresidence
#perkirkeby
#asgerjorn
#arnenæss
#deepecology
At my studio, thinking about Kounellis and Naoshima
30 years ago on this day, a serendipitous opportunity brought me to Naoshima, Japan, to join the team of assistants to work on the on-site piece the artist Jannis Kounellis was making at the Benesse Museum. We celebrated his 60th birthday which is today.
Our job was to prepare and roll very heavy sheets of lead with objects the artist chose, which were then stacked up into the frame. I remember that the contents were found things from the island's shore, the antique shops and so on, and that all had traces of making or manufacturing process that became weathered. Many were weathered timber which were shaped and used previously.
His work and those of other arte povera artists' stayed as important references to my later work, along with the works of Monoha artists.
6 months later I moved to London to start the masters in furniture design at the RCA.
The Japanese poet Gan Tanigawa who ran the youth theatre group I was part of, once wrote that one picks up the spirit of certain culture when adopted or fostered into it even if it's a short period of time, even for a few days.
I recognise that I am made of many such spirits, having immersed myself in a number of different disciplines as cultures.
The group photo was taken by Shigeo Anzai who was one of the first true citizens of the world I met while in Japan.
I realise now that these encounters are no small thing, as their relevance has come to life in my practice today
#JannisKounellis
#Artepovera
#Monoha
#gantanigawa
A month long stay at my childhood place in Japan has been a great opportunity to revisit many of the old and magnificent trees in the neighborhood.
I love their wonderfully expressive dynamism!
Wishing you all a peaceful and inspiring new year!
Now back in London, fully energised by the presence and spirits of the trees and mountains in Norway, ready for another year of growth at my studio and far beyond.
Starting the new year with much gratitude to all the support and encouragement I have received during the course of development of my practice.
Looking forward to many more inspiring encounters and conversations.
This year, again, began with an appearance of a shooting star
Open studios at Vanguard Court this weekend
We are open
Until 5pm today (Saturday 6th December)
11am - 5pm Sunday 7th December
Unit 2DE
Vanguard Court
Rear of 35-38 Peckham Road
London SE5 8QT
Also ar my unit:
@christopherriggio@edgarward_@charlotte.l.moore@robertcooper7647@grant_aston
#open studio
#maikotsutsumi
#japaneselacquerwork
