Busy, busy, busy...

These past few weeks have been busy getting work ready for exhibitions, arranging exhibitions and events for when I return from China, and beginning to pack for leaving London.  So much to do and so little time!

Last week I met with Rachel Price, the curator at Hatch Space, Deptford, about the three person show that I will be having there this October with Hannah Westwood and Harriet Hill, which will explores ideas relating to drawing, power and architecture.  I also met with Hwa Young from the MadLab to discuss an Artists Talk and Workshop, and have a look around their facilities.

I will be trying to see as many exhibitions as possible, as I get myself together for the big move up north.  Here are a few highlights of shows that are must-see's for me over the next month....

'Housework', International 3, Manchester, 21st May - 17th June 2011.

'Eye of the Storm - Hannah Westwood', Tenderpixel, London, 13th May - 11th June 2011.

'Jerwood Painting Fellowships', Jerwood Space, London, 11th May - 26th June.

Community of Practice>2

This past weekend Hannah Westwood, Harriet Hill and Zoha Zokaei and I met to 'critique' our ongoing practices.  Meeting at Hannah's studio at Bond House, New Cross - we talked about Hannah's ambitious large scale 'explosion' drawings for her upcoming solo exhibition, 'Eye of the Storm' at Tenderpixel, which opens on the 12th May 2011.  I will not give away too much, but the panel drawings are set to over take and overwhelm the boutique gallery space entirely!

Zoha reflected on her recent exhibition at the Waterman's Art Centre, where she showcased a series of new photographs, which I wrote about in a previous blog post 'The Concealed Exchange'.  We talked about her experiences of collaborating with other creative professionals to direct and produce the work, and avenues to develop and exhibit the works in other locations.

Harriet discussed her open house and studio last month, as part of the local area of Peckham's Open Studio event - and the positive opportunity for feedback when exhibiting work in progress.  I presented the drawings and prints that I have been working on over the past month, in preparation for the Chongqing Residency, which is getting closer and closer...!  As ever, questions and constructive feedback assisted pushing the work to the next stage.  I am currently working on a large woodcut, which I made the first print of today, but our Albion Press at RUTC, is not large enough for an even print, so I am on the look out now for a print studio with a larger press.  I will post a photograph when I get the first acceptable A/P!

'Netizen Layout', Pen, pencil and cardboard relief on paper, 2011, Jenny Steele

Community of Practice...

FIELD II, felt, elastic, pins, tape, paper, 2007, 5 x 10m, Harriet Hill

Last week I met with three friends, artists and Goldsmiths MFA graduates for a monthly crit.  As we have known each other for quite a few years now, we understand each others developing practices, and concurrent employment, and how these and other factors can affect our visual artwork. 

Harriet Hill, my old studiomate in the Victorian Baths, is currently working on a series of models and drawings that explore control and power within physical and two dimensional spaces.  I am excited to see the few projects she has been developing come to large three dimensional fruition.  A highly skilled sculptor through and through, Handy Harriet currently works as an Artwork Project Manager for MDM Props.

Hannah Westwood, works in drawings that explore power and chaos within various systems, and is currently working towards her solo exhibition at Tenderpixel in May 2011.  Hannah also tutors upon Foundation Diploma in Art and Design in Norwich, and has been selected for the Artist in Residence programme at Middlesex University.

Lucy Leonard, who came to Fine Art through a conceptual Art/Architecture background at the Bartlett, is now lecturing on the First Year Studies programme at the school.  Lucy showed us examples of the first years coursework, which was very impressive, in particular a project where they responded to various interior sites at Pitzhanger Manor, Ealing through three dimensional constructions.

I talked about recent drawings and work in progress, and we spoke about the ideologies behind my work. I was given helpful feedback of appropriate texts to read or revisit, and discussed aspects of three dimensional/ two dimensional when referencing the architectural or physical interface.

In strong belief of the importance of a 'Community of Practice' (Jean Lave and Etienne Wenger, 2006), I am developing ideas to bring this Crit, to a larger sphere. I will keep you posted, of course.