Shallal Studio Artists Sharing
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flowers by Karen Mitchell
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCo_MjvI-0E/
Artists
Eden Harrison
Erin Gatrell-Armstrong
Karen Mitchell
Mads de Lord
Laura Godwin
Zoe Wilton
Jason Morris
Janet Holland
Steve Clark
Julia Wonnacott
Rita Baker
Sam While
New Film from BLW residency
Shallal Dance Theatre dancers in Daniel's installation
Thank you George https://youtu.be/bndcMC2Mzls
Every so often, a few years or more ago, i mentioned elephants in this blog ( i went to Tsavo, Kenya to visit Mark and Vicky and see their camp in the bush and new home ) and i have interviewed my brother Mark as the first person on our 'Passing on Passmore' podcasts...
so i return to that theme in a personal way.
My sister-in-law Vicky died on Sunday night and leaves an extraordinary legacy.
I followed her career, obviously, but as with many busy successful people, i'm not sure she followed mine!
However many years ago now, about twenty or so i think, she and my brother did come to see one of our shows at the Acorn theatre and she said one of the nicest things ever in the interval.
I passed her and she said she was enjoying it and as she was always forthright she asked,
" Which dancers have disabilities?"
i said, "can't you see?"
"no" she said
"great," i said "thats how it should be" and "i'm not telling you, as they are all really good."
We carry on making art, trying to aspire to access and equity, listening, changing, developing ,holding fast to our ethos but also challenging ourselves, society, community, it's an ongoing dynamic, not static, we like to dance, move respond, 'in'joy, to dance through this life in companionship, in art.
I have a note in my diary to make sure i post Ellen's blog link.
Thank you Ellen.
"The above image shows a collage I made during the art studio session at Krowji. It explores the critical foundations for improvisation, as explained by Jo Willis, through Structure (the room, the music, the opportunity), Freedom (the space to create), and Intent (that artists make only purposeful movement)."
Do read it...
*
I think it echoes well what Vicky's comment pointed to, we are here for a good experience for everyone, not just one section of society/community, we are all of value, all need support, opportunity. By putting those people who might need more support at the centre, heart of it all, we radiate support for everyone, and we share our gifts, and enable everyone to give, to be seen. Shallal is just an option, it doesn't suit everyone, but those who stay feel it.
***
*The end of Ellen's blog
What have I taken away with me?
Individuals hold endless potential, there just needs to be a space in which to access this.
Providing structure and a framework for creativity that allows for freedom and expression can enable beautiful, cohesive art without limiting artists through demands for long-term focus, memory, energy, repetition, and movement that entangle ableist ideas of what art is.
Establishing positive reinforcement for creativity through listening and, critically, acting on feedback and suggestions that allow for the artists or community members to lead their own practice.
Bridging practice, including around socio-political and cultural conversations, to individual interests and potentials enables equitable engagement and community involvement that actively envelopes and celebrates diversity.
Shallal has expanded and although i hear the news from groups and artists it is so much more than i can pay homage to or record fully and yet i don't want to miss capturing them so...
After Anna's exhibition we have the shared Studio Artists Exhibition which came so closely after October Back Lane West i knew i had set us a 'task'.
We managed so well collectively collecting work and i called it a 'Showing' not an exhibition as wasn't sure till the last how we were presenting the varied work. The beautiful high ceiling of Grow box cafe enables you to hang more work and also need to find someone tall enough to reach ...thank you to Kerry's husband Warren for 'stepping up' and helping us at the end of his day, and to Colin for coming back again.
It's a lovely show i hope you get to see it.
Good news that Eden plans a solo show in St Ives this summer, her work is compelling and beautiful. We hope they do turn her pictures into card and prints for everyone to enjoy.
Honor Cicely Crane had a residency in our studio the first of many independent artists, we hope, using the studio.
"Dear Shallal,Thank you kindly for offering me your electric studio over the October half-term holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed my weekend in Redruth and the opportunity to exercise my creative ideas in your spacious studio. After graduating from art-school, I have faced multiple challenges in securing a space to explore and develop my practice within. I feel very grateful for Shallal’s generosity and it enabling my practice by allowing me to revisit ideas and progress them in an inspiring space."
Mel plans to use it in the Christmas Holidays and we have six new artists join our groups recently.
Helen is also taking it over for a solo show in the Christmas Open Studios at Krowji.
Many thanks to Helen and Therese for re painting white our colourful ( from dripping paint ) walls.
