My last post of 2023. This balances out the product showcase post on Sunday 17th.
I went on an interior styling intensive course at Chelsea College of Art and Design. It strangely felt like revisiting my old employer twice. Once because I was previously course director of a MA programme at UAL and second because I worked for the Tate one summer in the membership department at the Tate Britain (Millbank) site in the 1990’s. My work at Tate Britain meant that I then went on to do my arts management dissertation comparing Tate and Art institute of Chicago’s membership strategies. Ahh, those were the days. Sorry I digress.
Anyway, last week, the tutor for my interior styling was the amazing Emma who took us through the practical steps of being one of those people who set up the shots for glossy interiors magazines as well as the communication collateral for big brands.
Even though we are post-COVID, more of us are out and about. Home is still proving to be an important part of our lives. I realised that I’d been taking home for granted and gave myself a few moments to stop and think about what random (not normally thought of) items make my home my home. Some images are below with captions that explain.
Who would have thought that Margate would be where I would discover a gallery floor full of art about the black lived experience. This blog tells the story of what I discovered and what it meant to my own future art practice, especially when considering how and where I would like my art displayed.
It was surprising to realise how much of my art is influenced by the mid-century decor, 60’s culture and Mondrain.
Inspo 1: Wednesday Dances Watusi 1964
This year’s memorable Christmas activity was watching the Netflix Wednesday series back to back. Watching it on so many levels was amazing as it helped me recall the 1960s version of the Adams family, which I enjoyed revisiting over the holidays. As a dance enthusiast, I was keen to find my favourite clip of Wednesday Adam’s original dance done by actor Lisa Loring.
My view watching Wednesday Lisa Loring’s lesser-seen dancing clip
Episode: Lurch, the Teenage Idol (1965) Adams Family Season 1, Episode 33- Director Sidney Lanfield Wednesday (played by Lisa Loring) dances to Lurch’s new pop song at 5 min 55 seconds. This snip is a different version of the more commonly found clip. The above is my favourite and is often shown in goth GIFs and David Bowie memes without the original soundtrack.
Seeing the clip was joyful. It reminded me of watching it the first time with my younger sister and being closer to Lisa Loring’s age. At the time, my sister danced a lot like her, and whenever I see clips of Lisa Loring’s Wednesday dance, it brings back happy memories of being that young in the 60s. I’m sure that’s one of the reasons why the current 2022 production of Wednesday on Netflix is doing so well. You see. The new version of the viral Wednesday dance might be boosted because it is enjoying the nostalgic visits from the Baby Boomers and Generation X, who remember the original dance scenes being so poignant for them at the time. I wonder if they have thought of that.
Interestingly, my friend Janet said she had been watching the Wednesday show with her 13-year-old daughter and younger son, She said it brought the family lots of joy. It made us smile as it shows how the Netflix series has mass appeal. Janet and I further discussed (wearing our education experts’ hats on) how the subtext of the 2022 and the original 1964 versions of these shows seem to share a positive narrative about neurodiversity and the tolerance, acceptance and management of difference. I didn’t watch the ’90s version so cannot comment further on that.
Most importantly for my art practice, the research I did and revisiting of the old Adam’s family clips have helped, this week. The images below show how I was influenced to create monochromatic elements and embrace the mid-century look I had created. The crisp white of Wednesday’s dress collar and its oblique triangle shapes is particularly meaningful and is expressed in my paintings this week (on reflection).
However, further analysis of the underpinnings of my painting makes me think of another of my 1960’s cultural influencers—the artist Mondrain.
Inspo 2: Mondrain’s mid-century vibe
If you were to research contemporary abstract art, you get blogs and google results showing what contemporary abstract art is.
However, I’ve been practising my experimentation with contemporary abstract art. I’ve long been influenced by the artist Mondrian. I like his crisp lines, clear shapes and simple play with colours. Some of my earlier works were too much on the simple side, akin to Mondrain’s primary-coloured iconic squares and grids. When I was 15 and doing my Art A level I recall my art teacher remarking how some of my work was like Mondrain. Below is a snap of some textile designs I created possibly influenced by Mondrian’s works. But at 15 I was probably more influenced by others that were influenced. It wasn’t until my art teacher saw my work that he introduced the artists to me. See below
Screen grab of Google search Mondrain
My 45 year old textile design influenced by Mondrain
Recently, I’ve started a series of abstract shapes on a strong colour-drenched background with contrasting curvy forms and deep consideration of using analogous or complementary colours.
My contemporary abstract art inspired by 60’s cultural icons. Acrylic on canvas boardMy contemporary abstract art inspired by 60’s cultural icons. Acrylic on canvas board. My contemporary abstract art inspired by 60’s cultural icons. Acrylic on canvas board
I love the combination of sharp and curvey shapes I created. These works show more of the training and reflections I have done recently. I’m looking forward to completing this series and listing them in the shop in the new year by 3rd January 2023. Being able to reflect on my 1960s cultural influences for my paintings is helping to give meaning and express the significance of my work. I never thought I was a mid-century enthusiast, but it seems to be leaking out. My age means that the 1960s, and 1970s did inform my aesthetic principles, perhaps more than I was prepared to admit. But I am happy to do so now. I guess my retrospective journey has led to some fantastical pieces.
Thank you for following my blog thus far. I wish you a happy new year and all the best for 2023. I look forward to interacting with you further down the road.
This week I have been developing my mixed media practice by doing an intensive full 10-day course at CSM. More on that in a later post.
However, the weekend took my sister and me out to explore our local high street, introducing her to all the amazing colourful things the different shops provide.
I took her to our local cinema, an art house cinema converted into a cinema from an old library on the high street. It also has an art gallery which you can see in the featured picture, above. They do life drawing sessions there on a Wednesday.
I was one of the founding members. During covid, I donated more money than I would normally to a project or charity because I love film and I like my local high street.
The cinema developers/ organisers then rewarded us by calling us early donators, The Founder Members. And to express their appreciation, they recently put our names on a plaque in the cinema doorway.
The plaque at the doorway of Act One cinema celebrating and thanking donators
Recognition
It was a delight to see my own name on the plaque. I remember them asking how we wanted our names in an email. I can see other people who asked to express themselves, their groups, or their family. However, I am with just my name on the plaque. It is nice to get recognition and public reward for giving to the arts.
Raising funds for another screen.
The cinema has another goal to get a second screen. If you would also like to give to the arts, here is the link for their current fundraising round. https://www.spacehive.com/actonesecondscreen
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