Just about emerged from the whole 20:20 sort for Hot Bed Press, and therefore in a position to get back to my own work (once I've decided what). Every year my admiration grows for those people who work full time and spend time printmaking - my brain refuses point blank to contemplate both in the same frame.
I'm dipping my toe back in the water with something very simple - a couple of squares based on black to be sent off to David Smith for his participatory piece at Black Swan Arts, Frome, Black Squares, Black Lines and Black Magic (I think that's what it's called, or that might be the name of something larger, of which this is only part). I once commented to an acquaintance that I was no good at the idea of collaborative work, to which he suggested (smiling, I think) that maybe, in school report fashion, I didn't play well with other kids. At the time I suspected slightly gloomily that he was probably spot on, but considering it again I've now decided it's not quite right. I am perfectly happy to contribute to other people's work in whatever way they deem fit, and I have no need to be acknowledged - that isn't what it's about - but (thus far at least) my work is mine. It could be too much urge for control, I suppose, an inability to let things escape from me, take a new direction, grow into a different shape altogether. Whatever, the idea of collaborating on work increasingly appeals to me, I find, but someone would have to ask me, I would never have the nerve to suggest it myself. That would be too bumptious by far. An invitation open to all, like this, is likely to be as near as I get for quite a while, and he gets to do what he likes with them, once he receives them, so they could end up as paper dolls!
I'm dipping my toe back in the water with something very simple - a couple of squares based on black to be sent off to David Smith for his participatory piece at Black Swan Arts, Frome, Black Squares, Black Lines and Black Magic (I think that's what it's called, or that might be the name of something larger, of which this is only part). I once commented to an acquaintance that I was no good at the idea of collaborative work, to which he suggested (smiling, I think) that maybe, in school report fashion, I didn't play well with other kids. At the time I suspected slightly gloomily that he was probably spot on, but considering it again I've now decided it's not quite right. I am perfectly happy to contribute to other people's work in whatever way they deem fit, and I have no need to be acknowledged - that isn't what it's about - but (thus far at least) my work is mine. It could be too much urge for control, I suppose, an inability to let things escape from me, take a new direction, grow into a different shape altogether. Whatever, the idea of collaborating on work increasingly appeals to me, I find, but someone would have to ask me, I would never have the nerve to suggest it myself. That would be too bumptious by far. An invitation open to all, like this, is likely to be as near as I get for quite a while, and he gets to do what he likes with them, once he receives them, so they could end up as paper dolls!
RSS Feed