Tag Archives: exhibition

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So I finally got round to updating my sadly neglected news page. I hadn't updated it since July. Oh the shame of it, Internets, the shame.

So, in an effort to be a little bit more on top of things, here's the news for January.

PS. You have to imagine me reading this aloud to you in a newscastery sort of voice.


First international exhibition

One of my pin sculptures, Quiver, will be at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor during January.

Quiver at PYF 01
Kirsty Hall: Quiver, Jan 2009

This is my first international exhibition, so I was thrilled to be accepted. And Quiver made it over there without being blown up in customs as a suspect package, for which I'm very grateful.

Disruptive Stillness is on at the Jean Paul Slusser Gallery at The University of Michigan between 7th - 28th January and there will be a closing reception on January 28th from 6 - 9 pm. Gallery opening times, address and further details are here.

If you're in the area, do pop along to stroke the pins.

I'm doing a talk

I'm pleased to announce that I will be one of the speakers at the Textile Forum South West conference Mapping The Future - Where are you now? on 26th March 2011 in Taunton. More information here.

If you're in the UK and you have an interest in textiles and/or mapping, I would encourage you to come along. The folks at Textile Forum South West are some of my favourite art peeps to hang out with and I think this conference will be great fun.

My talk will be about mapping and the internet, so I'll probably be discussing things like my 365 Jars project.

Speaking of which...

365 Jars is off to a resounding start with people all over the world avidly reading the daily jar updates.

To date, seven of the sixteen jars have been found but one of those was re-released into the wild by its enthusiastic finder. So if you're in Bristol, there should still be ten jars out there for you to find and take home - keep your eyes open!

There will also be arse kicking

Oh yes, indeed there will.

Artist Arse Kicking is an online monthly art club for grown-ups that I'll be launching some time in the spring.

Check out the FAQ for more details of what's involved and if it sounds exciting, please sign up for the AAK mailing list. Signing up doesn't commit you to joining, it just means that I'll let you know when things of an arse kicking nature are occurring.

Free Photographs

My Creative Commons sets are growing like topsy and now have their own page in the free resources section. If you're not sure what Creative Commons is, I wrote about it last week.

The House Numbers set in particular, is evolving into something very special and I'm proud of it. My jar walks are providing lots of fruitful opportunities to photograph house numbers, so it's growing weekly. I've also added a Graveyard set, a Signs set, an Urban set, a Natural World set and a general set with all the random stuff that didn't fit anywhere else.

Charity Donation

Finally, in response to the dreadful flooding in Australia and South America: if you buy anything from me during January, I will donate 20% to charity.

10% will go to the Queensland relief fund and a further 10% to the Save The Children Brazil fund. This is not a promotional thing; I've already made a personal donation, I would just like to give more if I can.

So if you were thinking of buying some art or one of my services, now is a excellent time to do so since you'll also be helping a very good cause.


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Sorry for the radio silence - those of you who follow me on Twitter will know I was busy making and installing a brand new piece for an exhibition last week. Then I had to stay in my pyjamas for four days because exhibitions turn me into a zombie artist. Braaaaiiinnnnns (ahh, I feel better after that).

'52 drawings' in progress
Kirsty Hall: '52 Drawings For Claire & Camilla', March 2010

'52' was a group show curated by Camilla Stacey and Claire Platt, who work together under the moniker, Calm Air All Ice. Instead of just putting on a show of their own work, they decided it would be far easier to invite 50 of their favourite artists to show with them in Room212. Did I mention that Rooom212 is the smallest gallery in Bristol.

And in my infinite wisdom, I decided five days before the show to do 52 little drawings, coat them in wax so they could be seen from both sides, tie them all together with bits of thread and then suspend them in the window. Instead of doing something utterly crazy and unthinkable like just framing a couple of pieces that might possibly sell!

I'm blaming Camilla for this madness because she foolishly mentioned in passing that she was hoping I'd do a sculptural window piece.

Also, it seemed like a good idea at the time.

These things often do.

The drawings fell somewhere between realism and abstraction...
'52 drawings' in progress
Kirsty Hall: '52 Drawings For Claire & Camilla', March 2010

...and referred to maps, diagrams, aerial photography, archaeology and suchlike things.
'52 drawings' in progress
Kirsty Hall: '52 Drawings For Claire & Camilla', March 2010

For inspiration I looked at two of my favourite books, The Landscape Of Man by Geoffrey Jellicoe and Susan Jellicoe and Anno's Journey by Mitsumasa Anno.

I'm very into torn edges at the moment...
'52 drawings' in progress
Kirsty Hall: '52 Drawings For Claire & Camilla', March 2010

...and I find it freeing to draw on non-rectangular pieces of paper.
'52 drawings' in progress
Kirsty Hall: '52 Drawings For Claire & Camilla', March 2010

The drawings were easy - tying them together and getting them to hang properly was the tricky bit!
'52 drawings'
Kirsty Hall: '52 Drawings For Claire & Camilla', March 2010

Although I got the work up on time, I was quite mind-bogglingly disorganised about this show. I didn't do a mail-out for it and I didn't go back and get better photos because I collapsed with exhaustion afterwards. I'm feeling quite cross with myself about those two things. I'm trying to work out how I can do better in the future because if I'm being truthful, documentation and mail-outs are always a bit of a problem for me. I need better systems. Or a minion.

I did enjoy making the piece though. Even though it was a bit last minute, it was fun to have a break from the sequin apron (which is still trundling along like some relentless World War One tank) and I enjoyed actually completing a piece in less than a week. I'm still too close to it to know if it was any good or not but hey, I liked it.

The rest of the show was lovely - Claire and Camilla did a stunning job of hanging a huge number of pieces and there was a lot of good quality work. You can read a good review of the show here and there's also a series of mini-interviews with most of the artists over at the Calm Air All Ice blog. I bought a small piece by Cathy Cullis and would happily have bought works by several other artists if I'd had the money.

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Hooray, I've finally finished the second report from last month's Front Room art trail. It would have been done sooner but I've been down with The Never-Ending Virus Of Doom.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

As well as doing the Red Thread performance piece, I decided to listen to the voices of reason (aka Dave Devereux and Cat Vincent) and NOT make another sculptural piece at such short notice. Instead, I installed 3 Score & 10, an existing sculpture which was completed in 2005 but which had only been shown twice before.

It was a wise choice. Not only was it a lot less stress but it looked stunning in the space. It was also hugely popular with visitors - sitting at the top of the stairs, I would often hear people exclaiming in wonder as they came up the staircase.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

3 Score & 10 is part of an ongoing series of work exploring the meaning and measurement of time. It comprises 70 long pieces of string, each containing 365 hand-tied knots. The knots represent the number of days (including leap days) that you would experience if you lived to your biblically allotted 70 years. It contains 25,568 knots and took just under two years to complete.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

This piece is different every time it's installed. The first time, it fell neatly to the floor. The second time, it was shown in a tangle. And this third time, people were able to actually walk through the piece, which was very successful as it gave them a different visual experience from every angle.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

I was fortunate enough to have many intense conversations with visitors about the meaning of time. One thing I noticed was that the majority were fascinated by how long the piece had taken to make and the fact that I'd done all the knotting myself. It confirmed my recent realisation that there is an intangible value in making these sort of pieces myself, even though it's undoubtedly slow and inefficient.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

One conversation that really moved me was with a model ship builder who was initially rather sceptical about my work until he suddenly connected it with the intricacy, repetition and length of time it took him to make his models, at which point he completely switched around and 'got' what I was doing. It's these sort of moments that make showing art so worthwhile for me. I just love the generous way people open up to me and share their thoughts and ideas about what my work is about - it's a huge privilege.

3 Score & 10
Kirsty Hall: 3 Score & 10, 2005, as shown at Front Room, Nov 2009

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Here's the first of two reports on the work I showed at the Front Room art trail in November.

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The statement I wrote for this piece:
Red Thread
2009
Red thread, white dress, gag, chair, table, plasters, scissors, pincushion, needles.

Red Thread is a brand new piece being performed for the first time at Front Room.

This piece is so new that even I’m not entirely sure what it’s about but part of the inspiration came from Snow White:

"Oh, how I wish that I had a daughter that had skin white as snow, lips red as blood, and hair black as ebony".

Red thread has great magical significance in many cultures and is often used to make talismans or protective embroidery on clothes. It is usually associated with luck, protection or fertility. There is a particularly beautiful Chinese myth that an invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet - in that case, the entire world must be completely criss-crossed with invisible red lines.

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I don't usually like photos of myself but I like the intensity of this one.
Red Thread 02
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

Wow, I really should have ironed that sheet! But I put it up at the last minute to hide a corridor and didn't have access to an iron - it's always these little things that catch you out. Apart from that, my preparation for this show was very good.
Red Thread 07
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

Cutting the knotted thread - many visitors noticed that both my pieces contained knots.
Red Thread 05
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

I enjoyed the way the thread spread over me like a virus. Someone said it reminded them of mushroom spores.
Red Thread 10
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

Doing the arms was tricky - I had to use my teeth to tie the knots.
Red Thread 08
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

The little stool that I completely covered in medical plasters - a process that amused my Twitter followers for several days.
Plaster Table 02

Sigh, I love my cute little bird scissors.
Scissors
Kirsty Hall: Red Thread performance, Nov 2009

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Overall this performance went well, although I discovered fairly quickly that being gagged didn't work because people on art trails really want to talk to the artists and I needed to be available for that. So I abandoned that part for the duration. That's one of the joyous things about performances, you can react instantly to things; it's scary yet freeing. If I ever get the chance to repeat this piece in a more formal setting, I think the gag could still work.

I also managed to persuade a few people to join me in sewing. Even without the gag they were quite reluctant, possibly partly because of fears of blocking a narrow space but also, I think, because it's a strangely intimate act.

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Oh dear, I'm hopelessly late in getting this out here. But if you're anywhere close to Bristol, I’m showing in the Front Room art trail this weekend and I'd love to see you.

FR09

I’m at 105 Oxford Street, Bristol, BS3 4RL where I’ll be showing some sculpture and premiering a brand new performance piece. It’s the first year that I’ve taken part in the trail, so I’m pretty excited.

The opening is on Friday 20th from 6 – 9pm and then the trail is open from 12 – 6pm on both Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November.

Front Room aka The Totterdown Art Trail is the longest running art trail in Bristol. People in Totterdown kindly open their houses up as venues, so not only can you see lots of fantastic local art but you also get to have a good nose at other people’s decorating choices! If you’re in or near Bristol, it’s an excellent day out with lots going on including workshops for kids and a street party on the Saturday. The Front Room website has more details and maps.

Check out the beautiful staircase I've got - it's a very 'Kirsty' sort of space, all greys and whites with fantastic light streaming in from a huge skylight on the top landing.

Stairs 01
Kirsty Hall: Totterdown Staircase, Sept 2009

Stairs 04
Kirsty Hall: Totterdown Staircase, Sept 2009

I'll be performing in the space where that pile of books is.
Stairs 06
Kirsty Hall: Totterdown Staircase, Sept 2009

I'm doing a new performance piece called Red Thread where I'll be sewing red thread to a white dress whilst I'm wearing it. In a deliberate contrast to my Pin Ritual story-telling performances, I'll be gagged so that I can only communicate with my hands and eyes and I'll be encouraging people to sew bits of thread to me. It should be... interesting! It's a piece that I've been working out in my head for a couple of years, so I'm pleased to finally be bringing it to fruition.

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The ice age is coming, the sun is zooming in
Engines stop running and the wheat is growing thin
A nuclear error, but I have no fear
Cause London is drowning - and I, I live by the river

London Calling - The Clash

Thames 03
Kirsty Hall: The Thames, Feb 2009

I'm not a natural London person - I usually find it a tiring and challenging place - but it definitely has its charms. And being near the Thames always makes me fall under London's grimy spell.

Thames 01
Kirsty Hall: The Thames, Feb 2009

I don't know what Londoners think about the river but I always experience it as a dark, brooding, magical presence in the centre of the city.

Thames 02
Kirsty Hall: The Thames, Feb 2009

On Friday night I walked along the river between The Hayward gallery and Tate Modern. The trees along the path sparkled with blue fairy lights. It was warmer than usual for February and lovers sat on benches wrapped up in each other and oblivious to the world. A man knelt on a small sandy beach making a large sand sculpture of a face while a woman drew a love heart with a stick and added her own and her lover's initials. A swan flew past with a haunting cry that echoed strangely over the water.

And everywhere the river lapped at the land like a thirsty beast.

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Having a lovely but tiring time in London. Did some pinning yesterday afternoon, which was quiet but delightful as the sun was pouring in through the pins above my head. Rachael took a photo of me that I really like, normally I don't much like images of myself but I think this one has a very romantic and timeless quality.

Off to pin some more now while waiting for some internet friends from Ravelry to turn up. I feel a little sad to be taking the pins down today; they feel as if they belong here. Although I expect that the lovely people at Prick Your Finger will be finding little memorial pins in their floorboards for years to come!

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Hey, what the hell happened to February? I know it's a short month but how is it possible that I'm going back to London to take down the Pin show this week? It only seems like five minutes since I put it up.

I've been meaning to blog about the exhibition opening at Prick Your Finger since it happened but for some reason I was finding this blog post very difficult to complete. It's only just occurred to me today that it's because I've been having a CFS crash since London. I've been exhausted, unmotivated, dizzy, getting frequent headaches and crucially, having immense trouble concentrating on words. But because it's not quite as dramatic as it used to be, it's become far easier for me to miss when I'm crashing. Ah, the joys of having a chronic condition - it's a constant education!

Anyway, the opening was pretty successful. Sadly Rachael from Prick Your Finger was ill and couldn't be there but Louise and Rosemary from the shop were wonderfully supportive and we had a lovely afternoon tea party with cake, biscuits and fine company.

Lots of people came, including some people I knew well (thank you, Dave and Daniel for your support) and several people whom I knew online but hadn't met before. I was particularly delighted to meet Felix from The Domestic Soundscape, whose work I greatly admire. I didn't know she was going to be there, so that was an exciting surprise. It was also fantastic to meet Katherine from Making A Mark and Mornington, whom I know from the wonderful LSG group on Ravelry.

Isn't this a fabulous drawing. It's by Johanna, whom I know from the Cafe Kino knitting group. I hadn't seen Johanna for a little while, so it was great to catch up and I was pleased to discover that she'd done a drawing of the event. I always love it when my work gets other people's creative juices flowing and there was a fair bit going on during the opening - as you can see from the drawing, at one point I was surrounded by crocheters.

The show also got some write-ups:
Abi from Craftycrafty.tv is a friend of Dave's. Dave is the best networker I know, his contact list is legendary and he's very generous at introducing people. I met Abi and her friend, Clare at Dave's book launch on the Thursday night and they were both kind enough to come along to the opening. Abi then wrote about the show.

Amelia's Magazine also did a fantastic write-up about the show. And my friend Camilla was kind enough to blog about it even though she couldn't come along. And Katherine mentioned the show in one of her weekly round-up posts.

If anyone else feels like passing on the word about the show, I'd be grateful because obviously I'd like as many people as possible to see it and it finishes this Saturday so it's your last chance to get along to see it.

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Wow, London is hectic and exhausting. I am always amazed that anyone manages to live here but I know loads of people who absolutely thrive on it. Just traveling around tires me out but I expect if you live here, you get used to it. And I suspect that I always try to pack far too much in when I'm here: since Wednesday I've installed a show, meet up with several different friends, visited four art exhibitions and gone to a book launch party!

I arrived safely on Wednesday lunchtime and managed, with some difficulty, to drag my suitcase and a long and unwieldy art tube across London on the tube. I had planned to send the exhibition by courier but in the end, I decided that didn't feel safe to me and so I packed it all up and carried it. It wasn't too bad but I was very thankful to arrive at the space and be fed a sandwich and a much-needed cup of tea.

After I'd revived, I hung the show. I finished it all on the Wednesday afternoon just before my friend, Alice arrived to take me out for a cup of tea and a chat.

The show is installed in the window and the adjacent corner of the shop and I'm very pleased with how it looks. Quiver looks lovely in the window, really intriguing and mysterious from outside and all glittery and enticing once you get inside and can touch it.

I went back today to do my first session of pinning. I enjoyed sitting next to the window, partly concealed by Quiver and pinning away while the world went by. We had a few visitors but it was fairly quiet. It felt like a respite after several busy days. The shop is a delightful place to sit and pin - the walls are a riot of colour and texture with mostly British yarns from small producers and wonderful art yarns jostling with books, equipment and crazy kits for things like pink knitted beards! And Rachael, Louise and Rosemary who run the space couldn't be lovelier; the three of them have a genuine passion for art and textiles that I'm really enjoying.

Right, I'm off for a cup of herbal tea and an early night because tomorrow is probably going to be hectic.

Just a reminder: if you're in the London area, I shall be pinning at Prick Your Finger from 2 - 6pm tomorrow and I'd love to see you.

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I am delighted to announce that my first ever London show will take place this month at Prick Your Finger, which is a haberdashers crossed with an art space - an inspired combination, if you ask me.

I emailed the lovely folks at Prick Your Finger in late December to see if they were interested in showing my work. I was aware of the performances and knitting activism of one of the founders, Rachael Matthews from the Cast Off knitting club. I'd also been following their blog after discovering a link to it when I was researching artists who use darning.

Not only did they instantly email me back to say that they loved my work but they asked me if I could do an exhibition in January and February because they had an unexpected gap in their schedule. I immediately said yes.

I'm going to be showing some of my pin work, which I'm very excited about because several of the pin pieces - including Quiver - have only been shown once before. Plus it's been an age since I did my beloved Pin Ritual performance.

Pin Ritual 02
Kirsty Hall: Pin Ritual Performance, Dec 2001

Prick Your Finger is at 260 Globe Road, Bethnal Green, E2 OJD and the opening hours are Tuesday to Friday from 12 - 6pm and Saturday 11am - 6pm. The show opens on Friday 23rd January and runs until Saturday 28th February. If you're in London, I hope you'll get along to see it.

There will be an official opening on Saturday 24th January from 2-6pm. If you're in the area please do come along and meet me. I will be performing Pin Ritual and I believe there are plans for tea and cakes.

There will also be additional pin performances on the following days:

Friday 23rd January from 1-3pm
Friday 27th February 1-3pm
Saturday 28th February, again 1-3pm

If you visit when I'm not performing, there will be a book of pin stories to read and you'll have the opportunity to leave your own pin story.