Emerging

 

Luna 2 emerging/work in progress

She came to meet with me

'Emerging' is the word now used to describe artists that are deemed to be becoming apparent or even prominent. Prominent where ? It must be in the multifaceted art world. That art world is a very hard place to break into. I have been becoming apparent since my initial graduation in 1983. This either means I am a not very good artist or I'm not good at self promotion. (Maybe both!) I have just graduated again with a masters degree. I struggled with the academic writing, being more interested in the making/process and discussing work and ideas with other students and tutors.  But, already the excitement and sheer joy of being with other artists has fallen away. I feel a kind of bereavement, especially seeing a new term start. I have applied for and failed residency applications so far and it is exhausting, especially as I'm now 60 and have burnt out a lot of emotional energy as a nurse for 34 years. However, I was given some very sound advice before graduating, advice that has been backed up by others, and that is to continue to work with other artists - to collaborate, to create opportunities.

I very much see that collaboration, linking with other artists with similar concerns is the way forward, and to that end I have linked with 3 other artists; two painters, and a filmmaker/performance artist. We all have a very strong connection with the landscape of South Wales. We are aiming to create an installation of work that will weave together, telling the stories that the landscape have to tell, about our history of extraction, commodification and colonial ambition, and the beauty of diversity and rewilding. Rewilding is happening in our souls ! We have booked a gallery space in Swansea next year, and we are currently building a body of work.

I have also been given the opportunity to show some work in a small gallery/shop in Craig-Y-Nos Country Park called Lark. It is a beautiful space and the work there directly relates to landscape.

There is an undercurrent of unveiling going on across the globe, we are having our eyes opened to what we have done to the planet and each other. Diversity is the way forward.