Carriageworks & AGNSW

 Over the weekend my husband and I visited the Eveleigh Markets in Darlington (which of course included indulgence in the yummiest cinnamon scroll on the planet), and whilst there we explored Song Dong's exhibition at the Carriageworks. Waste Not premiered in Beijing in 2005 and has since shown at MoMA in New York and the Barbican in London.

If you know me, you know that I have a love affair with installation, especially this type of pattern arranging with found objects (Sarah Sze was the first artist I stumbled across who worked this way...and I have been smitten ever since). The work was conceived following the death of the artists father and displays more than 10,000 everyday items collected by the artists mother representing her process of mourning and remembrance. But it also  raises interesting discussion about Chinese culture and consumerism, sustainability, resourcefulness and obsession with material possessions. The historical background described in the artists statement gave insight into the older generation in China- who began storing and saving anything and everything during times of hardship and economic instability, and who continued to hoard belongings even in times of prosperity because it had become part of their identity and cultural norm. It was no longer about preserving the useful, but preserving the past. This  arguably needless collecting contrasts with the younger generations who have embraced all things instant, replaceable and disposable.

Then we made our way over to the AGNSW for the Dobell Prize for Drawing. Always a treat.

One of my favourites was this work by Joe Felber, "Beauty without irony (The inspection of light)"

I was quite taken by John Fitzgibbons "Lay down your weary tune" , Katherine Hattams "Heideggers Hut" and  Ulrich Stalph's "Ben Boyd National Park", as well as Wendy Loeflers stunning piece  "Antartica #28.

My husband particularly liked Graham Fransellas "Figure and Bell"

Two exhibitions I'd highly recommend!!

Creative resolution

I often go weeks, even months, without going into my studio. I mean, spending time painting and drawing in the studio. Of course there's foraging around and digging for things and filing things. I do step in there...but unfortunately the space gets used less for art and more for 'office' these days. (Although I must say it's an incredibly arty feeling office what with the easel and paint splattered floor and massive desk covered in art supplies....)

But for the most part I'm not making art.

And thats disappointing, to say the least.

I take comfort in the fact that I am doing other good things- playing with my kids, taking them to swimming lessons, gardening, preaching, writing....but no painting. I often feel like I've neglected the calling to live and pursue an artistic life. To live a creative life.  And I feel a bit starved.

But I was reminded recently (in an article by a clown. True story.) of the value of asking yourself each week 'how have I been creative this week?' and acknowledging all the ways that your creativity manifests itself- from inventive meals to imaginative games with the kids to a string of beautiful words. I was also reminded of the value of challenging yourself to find more ways to express that creativity rather than just doing what you've always done.

Of course I knew that I was creating and making and imagining in other parts of my life and probably even daily....
but there is something empowering about naming the thing. About pointing it out. 

I was uplifted and encouraged to think that I haven't completely abandoned or lost creative expression in my world and can even look for ways to include it every day- even if I can't spend hours in the studio,  and even if it doesn't involve a paintbrush. What have I already done today? And what can I do for 5mins today?? 

So this year- regardless of how many paintings I finish, how many exhibitions I present or how many hours I do or don't get in the studio- I will make sure I don't starve, 
but will look for, acknowledge, and recognise the creativity in every week. In every day.

How can you continue to feed your creative spirit this week? Today?