Looking back to look forwards

As Im caught in lots of family visits and still having to work at the moment, my practice is consisting of what is portable. This includes rug tufting and anything I can do with my phone or my laptop.

My rugging in going well and supports me to feel continually connected to being creative. Ive also been looking back, and found this document that was part of the Dark Skies Wild Seas publication from a residency. I like what I wrote and what I made. It was an enjoyable time as I find winter beaches appealing.

This is the text and images submitted:

Bio

Lou Bradley

Bradley studied Fine Art BA Hons at Southampton Solent University graduating in 2013, after which she gained several exhibitions in the Southampton area, as well as an arts council award. In 2014, she was included in Bloomberg New Contemporaries with a digital video which toured the UK. Moving forwards in 2014, she studied MA Art Psychotherapy for 3 years, changing the direction of her life and her art practice and has since worked as an arts therapist in the west country. In 2017, Bradley joined Spike Island studios in Bristol, where she has explored clay work, sculpture, and photography mainly (but not exclusively) and has continued to exhibit around the UK.

Bradley’s work is an emotive response to landscapes and the body, the work has developed through her interests in somatisation, meditation, femininity, sexuality, and therapeutic processes.

The residency

Passing through vast open spaces, large satellite dishes, and the battle to drive in the low sun in cold weather, I arrive in a fishing village, remote, blustery, and charming. At the edge of the land, the sky is clear, there is no light pollution, we can see so many stars. We get up early in the morning to watch fishing boats leave the small harbour, in the dark with tiny lights.

Using my sketch book I make drawings of the atmosphere and wind, responding to the feeling of the air and the cold on my face and the sounds as it claps against my ears.

The rocks and the beaches are rugged, with mixed coloured chunky sand and the walking routes and verges are all muddy. We hear stories of the ancient rocks, the moho and how the land we are standing on parallels the surface of the moon.

As I ponder where we are, I feel connected to everything, much like our pagan ancestors. The land, the beach, the planets, and stars become closer together.

I wander the beaches; capturing dark pictures that feel as otherworldly as this location. Making field recordings of running water, wind and crashing waves, that once abstracted from their environment are reminiscent of white noise, the background vibration of the universe.

Moonscapes Triptych.

Large black and white photographic prints, mounted on wood, with ceramic stands.

Purple Echo.

Glazed ceramic, with sound recording of running water.  

Wind Drawings.

Pencil and charcoal drawings from sketch book.

Black and white prints.

Dark Trees

Alien Rock