A Sanctuary Closed / Art in the Underbelly

 

   Better late than never!

A few weeks ago I was contacted by the curators of Art in the Underbelly, prior to the exhibition space's 2nd birthday celebrations, to create the piece you see above. The exhibition has been curated alongside Popshot magazine, and after taking open submissions for poetry from around the country, I was honoured to be selected as one of 14 hand-picked illustrated to produce a response to a given poem.

There isn't much time left to see the exhibition, but if you are able to get down to it before the 30th of May, I would highly recommend it. You can even buy the works displayed! The event poster is below.

Until next time!

x

Papergirl Norwich

I sent off these prints a little while ago to Papergirl Norwich, an art project, originating from Germany. The idea is that submitted artwork goes into a small exhibition and then is rolled up and distributed through the streets of Norwich by bicycles to random passer-bys in the style of American paperboys and girls. I quite liked the non-profit motive behind this idea, and so I sent across some of the prints from the Bloody Chamber project. I just wish I could know which member of the public will end up with my work! 

The exhibition runs from the 26th of March until the 1st of April, and Distribution Day is set for the 6th of April. If you fancy a chance of getting some beautiful artwork thrown at you in the street, get yourself into Norwich that day! 

More information can be found on their Facebook page.

On a different note, I realise I haven't posted AT ALL recently. I have been rather lacking in inspiration and motivation but I'm just about to start a new project I've set myself, so keep your eyes peeled for when I eventually feel like posting about it!

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories

The Bloody Chamber - "I caught sight of myself in the mirror...I saw how much that cruel necklace became me."

Puss-in-Boots - "I could wish, though, they'd dance a little faster;"

The Company Of Wolves - "Lift up the latch and walk in, my darling."

Cover

So, it would seem it's been a while since I last posted. However, finally I can show you what I have been working on!

For the last couple of months I have been working on the House of Illustration's competition in association with the Folio Society, to design 3 illustrations and a cover for Angela Carter's 'The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories'. Having first read this in my second year at university I was really happy this was the book chosen to illustrate as I was already familiar with the subject. Naturally, it's never as simple as it first seems, and with the added obstacles of a full time job, settling into my new house and sorting out the studio, and the inevitable trip down to the Isle of Wight for Christmas, it's been a bit of a push to get it done in time! However, I have, and I have to say, I'm pretty pleased with the results, especially as the actual linocuts were completed from start to finish in this last week. Of course, working repeatedly until 3am and then having to get up for work at 7am tends to put a little bit of a strain on the body. Nonetheless, I'm rather pleased with the final images. Let me know what you think!

Fingers crossed!

x

k'astajisaj / tzpa ri tikitajik

 

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k'astajisaj / tzpa ri tikitajik

to bring to life / since the beginning

  
k'astajisaj / tzpa ri tikitajik is a response to the K'iche' Mayan myth detailing the creation of man in the Mayan bible, the Popol Vuh. In it the two gods of the Maya, Tepeu and Gucumatz, first attempted to create man from mud but these men were weak and had no strength so the gods destroyed them. Their next attempt used wood as the medium but while these men could walk and talk they had no souls. Finally, as dawn was approaching, they succeeded by mixing maize and water, the foodstuffs of the Maya.

In my interpretation I place myself, the artist, in the position of the various creations. Each piece of the triptych of linocuts represents one of the stages in the creation of man and mirrors the continuous and universal destruction and renewal of our selves as individual beings throughout life.

käch' xoq'ol

mud

tz'oloj

wood

q'or re ixim

maize
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Yes. I know. I've kept you waiting quite a while for these! However, in my defence, I have been working quite a lot, and I am right in the middle of moving into my own place, so it's been quite hectic. On the plus side, I'm going to have a nice big home studio all set up, so once I'm all moved in I'll upload some tasty photos for your perusal!

I'm also currently working on a new project, more of which later.

Thanks for your patience, hopefully it won't be so long 'til my next post!

Much love

x

Ready and Waiting...

 

My framed pieces of work ready to be sent to the MYTH Exhibition.

No peeking allowed!