contemporary art gallery Arundel West Sussex UK
tel: +44 1903 885323
Open Tues-Sat 11-4. Sun 12-4
Ann Symes
Unfolding
NOV 2017
Two years have galloped by since I moved from living and working quietly in my studio surrounded by woodland. Now my environment is one of man-made structures in the centre of Arundel where I am running Gallery57 which itself structures my life. To mark the gallery's second birthday I am showing a collection of new work.
I knew this change of environment and life style would influence and impact on any new work. The catalyst for the series was a chance remark made by friend and sculptor, Lawrence Dicks last Autumn and has resulted in a body of work which is unlike anything I've done before.
Charcoal drawings grew in size, deepened in layers and felt like constructions. I continued layering intuitively until it was time to work into them in a more considered way. The drawings developed into mono prints which led to cut and folded paper constructions, then sculpture and painting, all based on the simple act of folding and unfolding paper. The sequential nature of the work made me think of the word "sequence" and then "consequences" which reminded me of the game from childhood. I folded the paper, still remembering how I used to make them and took it to a welder for making up a series of sculptures in stainless steel. They are relevant, illustrating how I chose to take a chance to change my life.
It became clear that the folding and unfolding of paper was a metaphor for my own "unfolding" process experienced during the previous two years in particular.
The drawings have a new strength, energy, independence and confidence which I find exciting. Devoid of the usual texture and patterning present in previous work, the drawings focus on layers, planes and structure. They have solidity and substance but also movement inviting the eye to travel across, through, round and into them - a geometry that doesn't make sense, which I like, because it suggests an incompleteness and that there is more to develop.
The evident architectural and geometric elements are not surprising as my subconscious has absorbed the planes of sloped, angled roofs and linear edges of buildings that I can see from upstairs' windows and around Arundel.
A combination of internal and external structures is at play and, as usual, it is through experiment and intuition that this body of work has evolved and new discoveries made - exactly the way I like to work.
Origami Charcoal, graphite 75 x 99 cm framed, art glass
Unfolding (from shadows) Charcoal
(Endless) Unfolding Charcoal, collage 98 x 76 cm framed, art glass
Unfolding 3 Charcoal 92 x 77 cm framed, art glass
Unfolding (edges of light) Charcoal 70 x 57 cm framed, art glass SOLD
Memory response to Interruption II, a sculpture by Lawrence Dicks Charcoal 88 x 28.5 cm framed, art glass
Opening 1 charcoal 36 x 37 cm framed, art glass SOLD
Opening II Charcoal 36 x 37 cm framed, art glass SOLD
Opening III (Lining the edge) Charcoal, chalk 99 x 78 cm framed, art glass
Folded 1 Monoprints/collage 48 x 49 cm framed, art glass
Folded II Monoprints, collage 44 x 45 cm farmed, art glass
Folded, unfolding Monoprints, collage 63 x 56 cm framed, art glass
Unfolding V Monoprints, collage 90 x 76 cm, framed, art glass
Sequence Charcoal 49 x 49 cm framed, art glass SOLD
Opening, unfolding (from shadows) cut and folded paper 56 x 56 cm framed, art glass
Shadows of folds I Charcoal, paper, layered, cut and folded
Shadows of folds II Charcoal, cut and folded paper SOLD
Shadows of folds III Cut and folded paper
Gesso, gouache, graphite on A3 panel, framed NFS
Lines and angles I Gouache, gesso, graphite on A4 birch panel, framed SOLD
Lines and angles II Gouache, acrylic, graphite on A4 birch panel, framed
Uplifted Acrylic gouache, graphite on panel 50 x 50 cms NFS
Consequences 1 - Choose Stainless steel, welded, white powder coated, wet painted yellow underside 13 x 17.5 cm
Consequences 2 - Chance Stainless steel, welded, pale grey, powder coated, wet painted yellow underside 13 x 17.5 cm
Consequences 3 - Change Stainless steel, welded, dark grey, powder coated wet painted yellow underside 13 x 17.5 cm
Consequences 4 - Choose, chance, change Stainless steel, welded, red gloss powder coated 18 x 26 cm