I was
offered an exhibition space at the Mt Macedon Gallery for the clay and metal
works and then did some drawings for the walls which would go with the ceramic
work.
Here they
are.
Generally I
like to draw scenes, so the drawings began to document the place where I go
blacksmithing. Similarly to the clay and metal series, the drawings also
explored some of the materials that can be used in drawing and which can also
be found in the blacksmiths barn where we meet and work. Charcoal can be found,
but not in plentiful supply as it is only at the beginning of the fire-lighting
that we plug in some pieces of wood, from whence the charcoal scraps might be
found. The coal and other remains in the fire were not very useful for drawing
but could make background textures and colours. Then early on I discovered of
course the barn is full of objects to make rubbings from. Most objects are
covered in a fine coat of black dust which can also be rubbed onto the fingers
or hand and then rubbed across the paper, to make rubbings of objects or
lettering or marks.
There are
similarities and differences between the ’drawings’ in clay and metal and the
drawings on paper. On paper I feel particularly drawn to visual representations
so that my artwork might be read and enjoyed by others. It might later be kept
by someone and treasured. The artist often weighs these things up as much time
is used in making the work. The drawing was not as pleasurable as the clay and
metal work perhaps because I laboured over it. I wanted objects to be
recognisable so I had to concentrate. I wanted the drawings to be beautiful and
so I had to work with the language of aesthetics.
Of course
they develop into a series and take on a life of their own.
I hope you
enjoy them.
