THE Black Swan have a number of exciting exhibitions coming up in the next month.
As part of the Somerset Art Weeks Festival, ‘Ephemeral and Eternal’ by Fiona Campbell and Angela Morley will be transforming the Round Tower with sculptural forms rooted in the natural world; wrapped, woven and layered. They have been exploring the materiality of paper and leaf forms in different ways. “We both ‘prospect’ for our materials – found and reclaimed, respecting the preciousness of the environment” explained Angela.
Fiona is interested in life forms, micro primal structures, nature’s cyclical persistence and interconnectedness ‘often blurring boundaries between drawing and sculpture’. Angela has been developing a new body of work based on leaves; stretching abstract forms back to the cusp of functionality. Their work will span two venues: Black Swan Arts, Frome in East Somerset, and Clayhill Arts, near Bridgwater, West Somerset.
‘Ephemeral and Eternal’ at the Round Tower Gallery is on from Saturday 16th September until Saturday 7th October from 10am–4pm, open Mon to Sat, and Sunday 1st October. There will be a preview on Friday 22nd September, 6-8pm.
There will also be a workshop titled ‘Organic Forms on Wednesday 4th October with Angela Morley and on Saturday 7th October with Fiona Campbell, both from 1-3pm.
Later in the month Cameron Scott and Nick Weaver’s exhibition ‘Proportion and Perspective’ comes to Black Swan displaying work in wood, which involves figurative relief carvings in lime; unique furniture in reclaimed or found materials.
Nick makes practical but unconventional and unique furniture, often using re-claimed or found materials. While some of his pieces start with an idea for which the right wood has to be found other pieces are inspired by the nature of found timber.
Cameron taught himself to carve after acquiring a set of old chisels. Cameron makes figurative relief carvings in lime wood telling stories from his life – the people, places and memories that influenced and inspired him. His latest carvings tell of his recent move from Lancashire to live in Frome and incorporate images of Somerset and the South West.
‘Proportion and Perspective’ at the Pop Up Gallery will be open from Saturday 23rd September until Saturday 7th October from 10am-4pm, open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 1st October. There is a preview on Friday 22nd September, 6-8pm.
Also exhibiting in late September is Ellie Mawby, Somerset Art Works Creative Pathways Bursary Artist, bringing themes of air, atmosphere and pollution in handmade paper and ink. Graduated with BA (Hons) Contemporary Arts Practice from Bath Spa University, Ellie Mawby works with paper, ink, textile and mixed media. Her work will draw attention to the public’s unawareness of the serious issue of pollution and its effects on both a local and global scale. It offers a sense of peacefulness to engage the viewer to ponder about the simplest stroke of black ink, the intricate marks or traces of lines.
“I hope to achieve further exploration and an exchange of ideas and proactive ways to visually communicate as part of the Creative Pathways Bursary, and I envision that my art practice will benefit from gaining insight and new perspectives from receiving mentoring and support” said Ellie.
Ellie’s work will be on display from Saturday 23rd September until Saturday 7th October, 8.30am-5.30 pm, open Monday to Saturday, and Sunday 1st Oct.
More information about all the exhibitions can be found on the website www.blackswan.org.uk
Above: Willow artist Angela Morley and multi-media artist Fiona Campbell
