A new show at Frome’s Black Swan Arts by artist Corinna Sargood, explores her life in Mexico, Peru and the dark world of fairy tale.
Black Swan Arts say, “‘Pictures & Dioramas’ is an extraordinary collection of painted wooden dioramas, brilliant embroideries, prints and artist’s books. It offers a rare insight into some of the personal and never before publicly displayed work of this exceptional talent.
“Corinna Sargood has spent a large proportion of her life not only illustrating stories, but also living a life full of extraordinary tales. She spent three months in the Amazon rainforest in Peru, living with a tribe, painting and drawing exquisite botanical images. From there she travelled to Mexico where she has spent around a quarter of each year living with her husband, woodworker and collaborator in art, Richard Wallace.
“Mexico continues to inspire new work, with its rich and tumultuous history, the immersion of art into the everyday, the ceremony and religion, the colour, people, plants and animals. This spirit is embodied in her intricate and multilayered wooden dioramas and embroideries, as well as in a playful and educational colouring book on the uses of cacti. Corinna has also created a wonderful embroidered puppet theatre (with woodwork and engineering by Richard) which tells the history of the Conquest of Mexico, complete with Papantla flying men, gods, saints and conquistadors.
“Other new work includes a box of embroideries; ease the lid of a mysterious black box made by Corinna’s daughter (Rosy Gray of Black Cat Bindery) and a world of Old Testament stories is revealed, created by Corinna’s skilled but unconventional eye and hand. Full of colour and life, they retell the tales with humour and wry irreverence.
“Come and explore a hidden world of magic, mystery, travel and history and glimpse a rare insight into a fascinating life. The preview takes place on Friday 22nd November from 6–8pm – everyone is welcome to come along.
Black Swan Arts is holding two free events alongside the exhibition: on Wednesday 4th December, 6–8pm there will be an artist’s talk and live demonstrations of the work, and on Saturday 7th December, 2–4pm there will be a children’s day with live demonstrations and stories. In addition, on Sunday 15th December there will be lunch and mini box theatre workshop, 11am–4pm (maximum 10 people). For further information please visit www.blackswanarts. org.uk.