Collaborations and Community.
A creative workshop in Wales. A recent editorial, artist commission.
My two sons among friends and community.
“People can’t understand the world as a gift unless someone shows them how” - Robin Wall Kimmerer, mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation
Happy new year everyone, I hope you all enjoyed the break, it may seem a while ago now, as we approach mid January. Though that “new year” thing arrives so quickly and then soon passes, and with it so much impetus to seemingly charge forward with enthusiasm and new ideas. Which all seems great, though for some of us its mid winter and the charge may feel a little timid at first. Winters one excuse, you may have others.
I like to view this month, as a moment to reflect on what I’ve achieved, learnt, and felt grateful for from the last year. How can I carry that forward into the year ahead ?
I’ve begun the year predominantly this way, in reflection, whilst also quietly taking small steps to instigate new and improved habits - Waking early ( not always easy ) regular mediation, journaling, and slightly better work habits. ( a constant struggle for those of us who are self employed, huh. Though checkout David Hieatt for inspiration in this area and so much more ) One thing I’m particularly grateful for is community though, and often weaved in alongside this, collaboration.
Collaboration is something I initially struggled with as a creative, though overtime I have certainly felt the benefits of working closer with those I hope to create stories alongside.
A recent workshop I facilitated with some teens in mid Wales towards the end of last year, certainly drew much of its success from the collaborations and sense of community which were formed among our small group over the period of 3 days, and the subsequent exhibition we created.
This and an editorial feature alongside a well known artist, are the recent stories I’m looking to share with you in this publication as we begin the new year. Thanks for tuning in, enjoy x
Listen To Your Song
The tree canopy, a Lomography image by Tyrone. A young participant on the course “Listen To Your Song”
“My tree was dead, though I guess that’s one reason that attracted me to it” - Bob, a young course participant.
With the roundhouse at Cwnch Woods, Elan Valley predominantly our base, myself and friend Artur Tixiliski, a fellow artist as well as musician ( by the way I highly recommend checking out his Brazilian / Afro Beat band Soma Soma ) guided those involved through a three day immersive course exploring creativity, and our presence in the natural world. We sought to channel our creative imagination through the medium of photography ( Digital and Analogue Lomographic Film Photography ) as well as field recordings, music, poetry, and traditional crafts ( Peg Looms ) via artist Jane Mason.
The content we gathered and created over the duration of the course formed the final exhibition which went on display at the Elan Links visitor centre a few weeks later.
The process of working closely over 3 days, had a significant impact on the young teens involved, for them this was a fairly new and unique opportunity, and we all felt immense pride in what we achieved as a group, which would not have been possible without our communal efforts. Trust, patience, humour, and being present were all key components along the way.
I’ve carried out similar workshops over the years, though this was a little more significant, with welcome funding aiding the process. The course had a framework to it, but it was very much child led, and trust was fundamental as we sought to listen and learn, whilst regularly creating and checking in with each other.
The unexpected conversations and the creative directions we forged, meant we were all very open to being guided by our authentic and present selves, each other, as well as the natural world. The reciprocal learning that took place left an imprint on us all after our few days together, and the subsequent exhibition was a very visible way to share our creations with a wider audience.
I hope to offer more of these opportunities in 2024.
Leaf - an image by Katie. A young participant on the course “Listen To Your Song”
Behind the scenes images from the course.
Ethan and his mum take a close look at the work. Image © Artur Tixiliski.
Artist - Curtis Holder
Artist - Curtis Holder at his home studio.
I recently spent sometime with the artist Curtis Holder creating a feature for the magazine Wunderdog.
Curtis currently has work on show at the National Portrait Gallery and was Sky Arts Portrait Artist of the Year in 2020. Numerous other awards have followed his career.
Creating imagery with other artists for a feature such as this, invites collaboration, and the process of listening carefully and learning of each others work can very much aide the work you produce.
Curtis was really lovely to spend time alongside, he even had a moment to turn the tables on me, and create a quick sketched portrait of me, camera in hand. I loved the result. I believe he enjoyed our collaboration as well.
The artist at work / A quick in person sketch of me by Curtis.
Curtis sat alongside and sketching his beautiful dog, Freddie.
Thanks for taking the time to look through some of my recent work and collaborations.
Hoping you all have a beautiful year ahead of you. It won’t always be perfect, nothing is, though if you create good daily habits for yourself and your work projects, the year ahead and the process of creating will no doubt be totally fulfilling.
Speak soon Joel x