Here is my first test shot of Chasing Shadows rear-projected into a window space, so that it can be viewed by passers by from the street outside. Although very rough around the edges still, I especially like how the reflection of the lit window interacts with the piece, creating another (colourful, live) layer within the otherwise frozen monotone narrative.
Fingers crossed it’ll still work when I scale it up!
In her great review of the exhibition ‘Off the Ground’ at Resource for London Lilia Prier Tisdall has this to say about my work:
“The upstairs room is dominated by painters yet it is Nicola Maskrey’s digital prints that stand out for me. Titled ‘…and then I was the wind’ they use long exposure photography to record the ‘movement of air and tidal currents through vegetation’. The effect is painterly in itself, and they really do convey the sense of what it would be like to be the wind rushing through the trees.”
For ‘Off the Ground’, artists Grace Aza-Selinger and Catherine Hall have curated a great exhibition full of a diverse range of work based in nature.
Here’s me with my work, taken at the private view by photographer Sheryl Tait.
Off the Ground – private view. (photograph by Sheryl Tait)
Off The Ground is the latest show at Resource for London in collaboration with Rowan Arts. It is running until 4th December, opening hours 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday, at 356 Holloway Rd London N7 6PA.
My latest project still in development – ‘…and then I was the wind’ – will be in ‘Off the Ground’ – a group exhibition of artists whose work has a basis in nature.
Hosted by Resource for London in collaboration with Rowan Arts, the exhibition opens on 4th November 2013. It also includes the amazingly talented Ruth Parker who’s work has been featured all over the place.
Here’s a flyer with more info about the exhibition:
And here are a couple of images from the series:
…and then I was the wind – I
…and then I was the wind – II (early sketch)
For more information about the project, or the exhibition please get in touch.
Here are some of the first images from an experimental piece ‘…and then I was the wind’.
…and then I was the wind – I (early sketch)
Comprising 3 series of images, I am studying the movement of air and tidal currents through vegetation and attempting to recreate the experience in the first person.
…and then I was the wind – II (early sketch)
At times these long exposure digital photographs lose all suggestion of the subject as they give themselves over to the speed and force of the energy passing through them.
…and then I was the wind – part III (early sketch)
If you would like to find out more about this work please contact me.
The Maya Centre has invited Bekki Perriman and myself to exhibit our work as part of the launch of it’s new home in Islington!
The launch is on 19th September, with patrons Melissa Benn, and MP Jeremy Corbyn joining the celebrations.
The Maya Centre provides free long term counselling and psychological support to women who have experienced severe trauma through domestic violence, abuse in childhood or overseas in war and conflict. It is a not for profit specialist counselling service run by women, for women.
Bekki and I are both showing work related to our award winning exhibitions at Islington Exhibits 2013 – in my case it’s 5 of the original prints from the Chasing Shadows series.
Chasing Shadows – steps
To see more images from the series take a look at my website
The exhibition is available for viewing by appointment only, please contact me for more information.
Thanks to Rowan Arts and Islington Exhibits 2013 for giving me the opportunity; this installation is something I’d wanted to create for a long time.
Here are some documentary images, and some footage (without sound), and a record of viewer comments.
Images:
Chasing Shadows – time based installation – documentation 1
Chasing Shadows – time based installation – documentation 2
Some of the lovely comments left by visitors:
“Exquisitely, skilfully crafted photographs. I love the movement, the merging of one image and sense into another. You have a gift for finding such serene beauty in the easy to pass by scenes of everyday life.”
“I liked the rambling impact of nature against buildings. The urban mundanity and beauty, emphasised by plants, trees, shadows, walls, windows makes my senses dream.”
“It perfectly demonstrates how things are really out of our control.”
“Has a strangely compelling quality – the way the images move through a journey – and each time you look you find yourself drawn in further.”
“I love the way the prints almost pour into each other. It’s very hypnotic.”
“It is wonderful the way that very ordinary everyday things are transformed into something very mysterious.”
“I could feel the same dreamlike gaze that you must have had on your night walk. It took me back to memories of my own walks at night time – the larger than life plants, the dark leaves but bright flowers. For some reason I find the vegetation says more at night and that really came across through the texture and light and shade.”
Footage:
I had a great time meeting people and seeing/hearing their responses, and I learned so much more about the work from those interactions. Thanks everyone!
To see the full series take a look at my website. If you’re interested exhibiting or buying my work please click here to get in touch.
If you want to find out more about Islington Exhibits 2013 take a look at this video
From 15th-31st July 2013 Chasing Shadows will be shown as a large scale time based installation – a solo show as part of Islington Exhibits 2013. For more information on the exhibition click here.
The installation, in an otherwise uninhabited space, is a large scale single screen projection in which frozen moments are re-presented as transitory echoes of the original, each dissolving into the next in a slow, rhythmic loop.
This is a test of the projection at the point of near completion. The projection is lined up exactly onto an area of the wall painted white, which is what makes it stand out so vividly from its surroundings.
Chasing Shadows – shutters (test – time based installation)
The exhibition was commissioned as the winner of one of two Artists Awards. For more information on the Artists Awards click here.
The exhibition is open every day from 10am-6pm every day until 31st July, at Unit 38 The Studios, Hornsey Street, London N7 8GR. Information here.
For more information on the exhibitions all across Islington click here. There are also curated walks and events, including guided talks of the Award Winners show. For information click here.
Islington Exhibits is produced by Rowan Arts with support from Cripplegate Foundation, Arts Council England and Islington Council.
The programme launches 15th July! Here’s a picture of a test image earlier in the week:
Chasing Shadows – wisteria wall (test – time based installation)
Visit Unit 38, Hornsey St, London N7 to see the end result. 10am-6pm, every day.
Chasing Shadows is part of Islington Exhibits, an initiative to unlock hidden venues in Islington and give artists and craftspeople a space to display their work. It takes place on 15-31 July 2013. Visit www.islingtonexhibits.com for more information and the full programme of exhibitions and events.
Islington Exhibits is produced by Rowan Arts with support from Cripplegate Foundation, Arts Council England and Islington Council.
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