A recent discovery

Whilst surfing the internet, when I should have been working ;) I stumbled across a recent project by Chinese artist Jiang Pengyi...

'Urban Art: Unregistered Cities by Jiang Pengyi'

Though the artist mainly works in photography, this particular project focuses on cities, still objects and massive skyscrapers reduced to miniature sizes communicating his recurrent themes of excessive urbanization, redevelopment and demolition in the Beijing city. I was and am still mesmerized by these series of works. I not only love the concept behind his work but also the way in which he has portrayed his theme. Whilst obviously having a impeccable eye for photography I love that he has also brought in the crafted aspect for this particular series. 

Reading the article on urbanghostsmedia.com, 'The Unregistered Cities themselves appear in abandoned buildings but unlike those represented in Jiang Pengyi’s sculptures, their host abandonments are not the crumbling ruins of skyscrapers, road networks and high rise apartments - they are the last remnants of Beijing’s past, abandoned houses swallowed up by the same urban zeal that the artist seeks to counter.  Abandoned houses and historic civic buildings are popular venues for urban exploration, but few would expect to find miniature ghost cities artistically represented amid the ruins of real forgotten places.  Collectively, Jiang Pengyi’s urban artworks speak to our sense of past and underscore the relentless pace of the present.'

Read more: http://www.urbanghostsmedia.com/2011/04/urban-art-abandoned-unregistered-cities-jiang-pengyi/#ixzz1Zzo4tRV9

All images are by Jiang Pengyi, via Blindspot Gallery 

An Inspiring Bus Ride

Wow a recent a-n magazine literally blew me away. With an 8 month back log of a-n mags I decided to delve into the most recent release. Daniel Fawcett's view on art & film really got me thinking.                            

'Today's culture is a tired man - he trudges along overweight and sick, replete with things no longer good for him.  He needs a new art. That art is film.'

Reading the magazine also opened my mind to the idea of studying for an MA, I feel like I may have reached the point where I am 'ready'.  Reading the magazine, questions were ticking over in my mind, what makes these artists go for it? Is an MA the turning point for artists, where their work really takes a hold of them and their style really sets in?  Am I pining for that deep submerging of mind and soul into the depths of study and questioning?

Returning Home

Returning home...what a weird feeling it was! For the first few days well the first week in fact, I just didn't feel myself at all - I felt like I wasn't really here! Everywhere I went, I felt dazed and distracted but an unexpected afternoon on a boat turned into a refreshing and inspiring cruise through the waterways of Manchester, a great welcome home :)

There are things in life that cannot be beaten :)

Ashworth BBQ...whatever the weather

The Scenic Way Home - Arriving & Leaving

Arriving in Washington I was so full of emotions, we had finally reached our last stop...the end of a 32 week working and travelling adventure. I felt ready to cry at any moment.  But not out of complete sadness, I also felt happy and overjoyed for what we had achieved, the wonderful places we had seen and the journey we had gone through together. 

A beautiful row of houses, just over the road
from the White House!

With four nights in this city we were going to make the most out of these last few days :)  From start to end this short stay was intense, I think that is one of the best ways to describe it.  The Government, the military and the endless war history all seem to dominate this city in quite an intimidating and aggressive way but beneath this there is a clean, impressive city to be explored. Dodging the uniformed figures and security checks we found some great drinking holes and eateries and even managed to squeeze in a day out to Baltimore :) 

Sketching in absolute peace :)

Many hours were spent exploring the vast museums, soaking up the artwork and artefacts.  My favourite moment was when I discovered the quiet courtyard set in the middle of the Arthur M. Sackler gallery. It was so peaceful and a great escape from the over admitted museums along the Mall.  In this moment I sat and thought and sketched and it was wonderful.

With our flight date fast approaching it was hard to imagine that within a few days we would be back on English soil! But that day did arrive...and wow it was an amazing feeling.  Seeing England for the first day after 8 months was unbelievable.

Peering out to the land below, I was crying tears of joy, relief, excitement to see my family and friends and anticipation of what will come next.

Things to be surely missed - all those delightfully blue skies, the laid back lifestyle of Australia, New Zealand and Big Island, the delicious flavours of Fiji, the longboards of Waikiki, the humid wall of heat that hits you leaving bars at 3am, running along the beach at sunset, sitting on the rocks at Coolangatta watching the world go by...

Things to look forward to - ahhhh home sweet home, hills - big rolling green ones :), living without the fear of snakes or sharks, woolly winter coats, my studio den and most importantly this next chapter in my life.....

The Scenic Way Home - The Last Stretch Of Road

Driving from Charleston up to Washington was an interesting experience, an insight into the weird and wonderful ways of America. A short stop in Myrtle beach was cut even shorter when we realised how uninteresting it was. The most 'beautiful' thing I could find was the bird illustration on the motel sign!  But for me, the most enjoyable part of this drive was not the stops we made but the sitting, drifting, looking out of the car window looking at the little towns and villages that we were moving through.  I was fascinated by the homes I saw, the green lush grass surrounding the houses. The lack of fences and pavements, instead just endless green :) 

And then when the land opened up you would get a glimpse of these ramshackle sheds and buildings. Beautiful pastels; pale turquoise and soft peach.  When finally arriving at our motel for the night, we could feel a change in temperature, the humidity had gone and we knew we were getting closer to home.