Natalie Bell's work

Symbiosis - 76 x 76 cm - Acrylic on canvas

Natalie's work is playful and concise. Using underpainting and then building up in layers Natalie manages to build up worlds to explore. At the exhibition we have two series the 'Nanobot' & 'Microbes' that showing how Natalie explores the idea of science and that which we can not see or know. Using this method the work speaks not only of an other worldliness but reflects on the world itself; though what is left and whats taken out, systems start to build up. These could be roads, houses or and number of islands and as a viewer you are pulled into explore and make connection. The work has a quality whereby you can go back and back to each painting and find new depths, making them exciting pieces to live with.

Nathan

Untitled no.4

Untitled no.4 - 129 x 110cm, mixed media on Canvas by Jacob de Graaf

The pealed back forms Jacob uses really appeal to me personally but I see a lot of universal appreciation of his paintings. Without life they become 'non-spaces' in which we can feel alone and reflective or sometimes afraid; a place to escape reality. This painting to me has a real American appeal that highlights how this work can take you places, this is not dictated by Jacob rather there is room for the viewer to react. The colour pallet plays an integral part in removing you from reality, slightly dusky colours fog this new place, you step into the twilight where all is calm but changing. With Jacob's work however there are slight glimpses of humanity in 'windows' emitting light but it is important to understand these works are abstract and through this abstraction the emotive reaction is born.

Nathan

New Gallery in Malton

This Thursday it was my pleasure to attend the opening of Duckett and Jeffreys Gallery It's a wonderful space to show art and the gallery picked a great artists; Sally Taylor, to open with. I met Sally only a few weeks before which is where I heard about the Gallery and Exhibition, having seen her work I was keen to go see it. On the night I bought one of Sally's works, just a small one. It was a drawing on a wood block; I was taken with the notion of 'ACTION' 'NON-ACTION' and hoped it would spur me on to take action when needed.

I wish Duckett & Jeffreys Gallery all the best and look forward to seeing their future exhibitions, it's good to see others showcasing strong, professional artists with a clear practice.

Nathan

Studio Visit ready for our April Exhibition

On Saturday the Revolving Gallery team went on Studio Visits for three of the Artists showing with us in April. It was a long day, we set off at 9:30am and didn't get home until 9pm but I think it safe to say it one or our favourite parts of the job. It is a real luxury to get to see where and how artists work.



First up we went to Newcastle to Mushroom Works studio where we met with Natalie Bell (Image above), here we got to have a good look through and select the works we are presenting to you (which was not such an easy task with the strong works we needed to narrow down slightly) Natalie paints in many layers pulling her images & colour through in her 'Microbes' series, it was nice to see these works in the flesh where you can see this depth. We also got to see more of the 'Nanobot' series that have more structure and definition.



After Natalie we met up with Eva who happened to be in the same studio block. Here again we got to learn much more about her technique and how much work goes into each piece. With the studio visit you also get a chance to see where artist have come from and where they are going. I (Nathan) also get to talk materials, which brings out the inner geek in me but as said before we do make sure the works are made to a high standard. It was a pleasure to see these works again in the flesh where the colour really hits you and the quality of line in her drawing works.

Last visit of the day was just on from Newcastle so after a late lunch we arrived at Andrew Crane's house and studio. This is the first time we had got to see Andrew's work in the flesh and it was a real treat. Although his work can look grey and dull online once you see it in a good light it springs to life. These works are vary painterly and Andrew has a interesting stories about each one. The end of the day finished with us having to make more hard choices in selecting from his works.





Nathan

Whippit 6 - 20/02/2010

Whippit is a national work-in-progress performance night, CLICK HERE FOR LINK

I went along on Saturday, it was really nice to see some different types of art being shown in the city. At Whippit there was video & Performance over 4 hours down at Space 109, Walmgate.

There was plenty to see, first up was Stephen Cornford; image below, and his sound performance was a interesting to the ear and with the live video behind a treat for the eyes. The sound was produced from a machine made by Stephen himself and with a contact mic on different parts plus the resonance from vases on the table you could really lose yourself.



Going on through most the night was Roddy Hunter:



In this performance which lasted through the night Roddy seemed to be the one getting lost. Using imagery from Le Corbusier he was cutting through the image, revealing a mirror. Repartition and ritual through the night again was captured on live feed for all to scrutinise. As the performance developed you as viewer got more drawn in and tried to pull aspects apart but this proved difficult.

On top of this there was plenty to see through the night including a very pleasing video piece by Katy Connor called 'Snow/T.V Snow'. All in all it was an enjoyable night with a really good vibe and a good number of people there to see and engage with the work.

Nathan

Our next venue

The Revolving Gallery team are pleased to announce our next venue:



GRAYS COURT YORK - click here for more information

On April 9th 2010 we will be showcasing our next set of Artists at this unique and exciting venue.

So now more that ever keep your eye out here for further information about the exhibition, including previews of each our Artists over the coming weeks.

Nathan

Outside the White Cube

It has been far to long since my last blog and I didn't realise quite how long so I must have been busy. The next show is moving on well and we are now confirming Artists, it is exciting times. I do enjoy the blogging so thought it time to get back too it no matter how busy I am.

I saw this Article (CLICK HERE) on the ARTnews website and it got me thinking. The article talks about being as specific in exhibiting works as to use only the correct white, this is something we do not always have the luxury of as we appropriate space for our exhibitions. Many of the sites in York are far from 'white cubes' but often this can add to the Art as much as distract. White walls are good but if you read 'Inside the White Cube' by Brian O'Doherty you begin to see the fall out from this prescribed way of showing work.

With Revolving Gallery exhibitions people are going to interact with the surroundings and this is all part of the event and why we pick certain venues. With closely curated exhibitions we have work able to draw the viewer in and these are the works you live with. Art that demands your attention, work you can see everyday and enjoy no less each time means the background should make little difference and the work pulls you in.

Nathan