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The new print ‘Still’ has been released ahead of May’s solo exhibition in Milan.. http://www.carnegriffiths.com/shop-2/still/
Head over to the new website now for more details.
It’s a crazy busy time for seeing artwork!! As well as the solo exhibition which is now in it’s second week at Ink’d gallery in Brighton, this weekend sees the closing of the East17 arts Trail and the opening of the nearby Wanstead Arts Trail, and next week sees the opening of the Wing Assignment at Red Bull Studios featuring over 40 artists work and showing the new piece 2 for Joy.
Fragments
The exhibition at Ink’d is the biggest collection of work I have shown to date and also the most focused. The workreflects on a hectic 2012 and is a reaction and contemplation of events that have had an effect on the early part of this year. I won’t lie.. it’s been a tough time, emotionally it has been a roller coaster year with massive highs, and some really difficult times too. The work reflects this quite openly. The shards of glass that are prominent in this collection of work developed from the falling thorns in the piece one for sorrow which hangs at the back of the gallery at Ink’d. The increased chaos and noise in the work is elevated too.
1 for sorrow reflected on the helplessness of a situation in my personal life at the time, it was an exorcism for this frustration and the process of creating the work was a huge help to me in dealing with the situation. Talking about this type of work is difficult but I think it is important to understand the relationship between daily life, and what happens in the studio. Most of the work I create is emotionally driven, it is a response to specific situations and the beginning of a piece of work is almost always impulsive, as is it’s creation. Some of the larger works however, span larger periods of time and their creation, although relying on these type of impulses also involve times of deliberate contemplation on the subject.
Of the works showing as part of the fragments exhibition, ’1 for Sorrow’ and’ the Storm’ both underwent a similar process and this is reflected in the finished work. They may not be as light or as clean as other works in the gallery, but the grit and grime of these pieces honestly represent the journey gone through to bring the piece to it’s conclusion. They are both real battles in terms of their creation and the emotional involvement in the work.
If you would like to see the work on show – the exhibition ‘Fragments’ is open daily at Ink’d gallery in Brighton and runs until the 6th October, alternately you can see and buy all work from the show including the newly released giclee prints Guilt, Comfort, Fragment, and the triptych, Mortal, Immortal and Eleven produced by Harwood King.
The Wing Assignment
Inspiration for 2 of the pieces created this year and a planned series of continued work comes from the wonderful wing assignment project devised and curated by Nina Farrel a former colleague at Maidstone College of Art. As well as providing a platform and outlet for the piece 1 for sorrow, the project seemed intertwined with what was happening in daily life. Following 1 for sorrow, the piece 2 for joy is again an intensely personal reflection of receiving the news that I am to be a father to twins this September. Amazingly as timing would have it – the opening of the exhibition coincides with our delivery date. It will be a shame to miss the exhibition as it features a work that is a real contrast to other pieces created this year, it has a real softness and warmth and is purely concerned with our relationship with nature and if you look very carefully beyond the flower of life symbol…
The Wing Assignment opens on the 19th September – if you would like to attend the private view on the 20th September, please contact me via email, as I have a very limited number of guest tickets (including my own which I will be giving away as I will be busy elsewhere!)
For more information about the exhibition which contains the work of over 40 artists, visit the wing assignment homepage at http://thewingassignment.tumblr.com/
Age of East 17
This weekend is the last chance to see this great exhibition, brought together by Nadiya Tokarska, at Tokarska gallery Walthamstow. Just a short walk from Blackhorse Road tube, along forest Road. The exhibition features artwork from Carne Griffiths, paintings from Jason Hawkridge, a Mark Burton photography exhibition about the Olympic Torch in Waltham Forest, and paintings from Nadiya Pavliv-Tokarska. The Tokarska Gallery is one of the best permanent galleries in the local area, so it is well worth a visit if you’re exploring the E17 Art Trail (which we will blog about separately).
I am delighted to be showing a small series of floral works, amongst the newly released triptych of prints from Harwood King
Wanstead Arts Trail
I am delighted to be showing work again as part of this year’s Wanstead arts trail, at the Beautiful Blush Temples florist on the high street. Opening today, the small collection of work on show represents the first steps to working as a artist full time. Although they are tighter and show a stronger influence of embroidery design, the pieces show clearly the transition to finding a style of working and to breaking free from the constraints of floral embroidery design in different ways.
Following the busy month of september, I will be showing work at the following art fairs, with Eyestorm and Coates and Scarry.
MULTIPLIED ART FAIR CHRISTIES 12TH – 15TH OCTOBER EYESTORM
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR BATTERSEA 25TH – 28TH OCTOBER 2012 COATES AND SCARRY
AFFORDABLE ART FAIR HAMPSTEAD 1st – 4th NOVEMBER 2012 EYESTORM
On Wednesday of this week I will be doing a live performance over at Debut Contemporary with Michelin Star Chef Nicola Batavia. Nicola is the owner of Casa Batavia in Notting Hill and specialises in creating unusual egg dishes – for the performance we will be combining calligraphy, eggs, tea and ink with culinary flair at the presentation of Debut’s Art School Awards at their Gallery in Notting Hill. If you are as intrigued as I am!, send an email over to rsvp@debutcontemporary.com to get on the guest list – Wed 4th July from &pm..
This collaboration came about as a result of my work with Debut Contemporary and the collaboration with fashion brand JOYCE earlier in the year. I will be displaying a gift set of the work used by JOYCE which includes 5 printed metal eggs which were available in vending machines across Hong Kong as part of the ART-SPIRATIONS project, part of JOYCE’s continuing commitment to working creatively with artists.
2 for Joy
The newly created piece of work – 2 for Joy will also be on display at the gallery . The piece coincides with some monumental events in my personal life and I am delighted to be showing the piece with Debut Contemporary.
Hope you can join me there for a celebratory drink!
2 for Joy – Detail – Ink and Tea on Paper – showing from the 4th July at ebut Contemporary.
L’Art de la Radiance
I am delighted to announce that I have had 2 pieces of work selected for the continuing exhibition ‘L’Art de la Radiance’ curated by Alvin Goh in Hong Kong. The first exhibition was held in a 20,000 sq foot venue on
12nd April 2012 just for 1 night but due to overwhelming response, Cle de Peau Hong Kong have decided to extend the exhibition.
The re-run venue will be held at “The Space” http://www.thespace.hk/ from July 19-31. The work below will form part of the exhibition which also features the work of 21 Artists selected by Alvin Goh, the online catalogue of the exhibition is available here
Ink’d Gallery Exhibition
Busy in the studio this week making preparations for the September solo show at Ink’d gallery( from Chaos) where I will be unveiling some brand new works / prints / and miniature pieces not seen before – If you’d like to come to the private view please put the 6th September in your diary and send a little mail to gallery@ink-d.co.uk they will put your details on their mailing list so you get lots of notice. I have some brand new work available through ink-d too – you can check out the new originals and prints page on their website here…
Here’s some sketches and pieces on the go in the studio..
De chao ordo.Ink and Tea on paper 75 x 56cm
Chaos, Ink and tea on paper 75 x 56cm
Some exciting new projects on the horizon including working with some fabric and dress designs for a London fashion label – more information to come later in the season as the designs progress. Tomorrow I will be taking the new pieces ‘From Chaos’ and ‘Seed of Life’ down to the fantastic Ink’d gallery in Brighton where I will have a chance to see the Graham Carter, Me, Marionette exhibition which is currently showing- been waiting for a sunny day to hit the south coast and enjoy properly!
New Edition Triptych Cards Available Here
Triptych, signed edition – Available to order here for £10
The three cards are on 400gsm matt stock with a solid silver reverse print – the cards are packed in silver Centura wrapping and will be posted in a hand embellished white conqueror envelope sealed with a silver or turquoise wax stamp. Limited to an edition of 1000 cards Each triptych is hand signed and accompanied by a small original drawing on the outside reverse of the envelope. Each card measures 10cm x 21 cm.
Hunger Magazine
Earlier this month saw the launch of Hunger magazine’s second edition – for those who want to get their hands on the mag it’s out now at whsmiths for just £5 or from Other Criteria in Hardback for just £10! -The hefty magazine is an amazing collection of work from the Photographer Rankin as well as features on artisans that inspire and influence his work. I was fortunate enough to be invited by Rankin to translate a photoshoot of the amazing Tuli, into a series of illustrations. Blending my own floral style with the work of another photographer was a real challenge – especially finding a balance between the escapist, automatic style of drawing I enjoy, but retaining the compositional elements which I hope give a new strength to the images.. here’s some pics of the collaboration
https://www.othercriteria.com/browse/all/new/the_hunger_2_hardback/
Well it really doesn’t feel like it when we are having the wettest may in forever but maybe it is the right time to release the print ‘In Spring’ The artwork originally created to celebrate the coming of spring was created for fashion brand JOYCE and is now available as a 26 x 20″ giclee print in a limited edition of 25 available here for £175
The new print will also be available soon from Art Republic who are currently showing three prints, Strength Rose and the Harvest at the Grand Art Fair which is a new feature at this year’s Grand Designs Live event at Excel.
Debut Contemporary
Debut contemporary have teamed up with fashion company TOMS to create a unique partnership showcasing the work of 7 debut artists as TOMS launch their pop up store in Covent Garden
The launch event took place at 69 Neal Street on Saturday the 5th May to celebrate the launch of TOMS eyewear, TOMS exhibited 7 one of a kind eyewear art frames created by Debut Contemporary Artists Tahnee Lonsdale, Darren MacPherson, Rosie Emerson, duo Twinkle Troughton & Tinsel Edwards, Ben Levy, Dannielle Hodson, and Carne Griffiths. Artists participating in this collaboration will also be mentors to the successful Debut Contemporary Art School award winners.
Showing at Art Republic
Original works now showing at Art Republic Brighton include the piece Closer and the Triptych of work, Mortal, Immortal and Eleven
After a rather sleepy December and some lovely time spent with friends and family, a little break from the stone space gallery that I have some involvement with and a general look back over the last year, I started getting ready to ease into 2012 and plan some new works in the studio. Before I get down to the New Year sort out – here are a list of upcoming events that I will be attending / showing work at in Jan/Feb/March
The London Art Fair with Opus stand G35, 18-22 Jan
I will be showing 6 framed works with Opus over the duration of the show. Some new pieces previously unreleased and some represented pieces from 2011, I am really excited to be involved with the LAF again this year and am looking forward to seeing the broad spectrum of work to be found there – if you would like to come and see my work at the LAF please contact Opus for a a complimentary, their website can be found here ( opus )
Art For Heart’s Sake
I have been invited by Sophie Wharmby from Art For Heart’s Sake to donate a work for Auction at their exhibition which will run from 10th – 17th February 2012.
Art for Heart’s Sake is a social enterprise that seeks to raise awareness and encourage charitable donation through creative engagement. The event has been created in partnership with Hipstamatic, and is sponsored by Kids Company and EDC and will feature 100 photos, (selected from a submission of over 5000!) as well as a selection of creative works from supporting artists all available for auction over the course of the exhibition. I would love to see the piece raise money at the auction so if you are interested in any of my work and would like to support this great cause please contact myself or Sophie through the Art for Heart’s Sake website http://www.artforheartssake.co.uk/
loves me....
E D E N
Looking ahead to March, I am beginning to plan an installation drawing entitled eden which will take place from the 1-11 March 2012, The Stone Space, in Leytonstone. Here is the text from The Stone Space site where more information about their programme of exhibitions can be found for 2012.
The Stone Space is pleased to present the live drawing event ‘E D E N’ by artist Carne Griffiths. Created in calligraphy ink and tea, EDEN will employ imagery connected with creation and evolution whilst exploring the interplay between artist as creator and the outside influences of chance and suggestion from viewers.
Visitors to the gallery are encouraged to bring plants to the exhibition, to create a central installation which will be used as inspiration for the drawing, as well as write suggestions for imagery to be included within the piece. A live broadcast of the event will be available at the website http://www.carnegriffiths.com and http://www.thestonespace.com
So I already have plenty to look forward to in terms of creating and showing new work and am now keen to get into the studio to explore work for the exhibition ‘The Wing Assignament‘ which is being curated by a good friend from Maidstone College of Art.
Hope to see you at the LAF or sooner!
One of the things that I get inexplicably excited about is Stationery. Particularly vintage pieces – so when I opened a small parcel on Xmas day (thank you Mrs Gx) to find 5 x 1950′s Russian and Lithuanian fountain pens lurking under the wrapper I couldn’t get them filled with calligraphy ink and put to work quick enough. Something about pens, like watches, that have a real sense of time and history, where they have been used, what they have recorded and written and with a ‘new’ pen just how it will write / draw. Yes – this is geek territory but these are tools of the trade for me… excused?
I started work on a piece which I am donating to Hanan Levin for a blog he is creating about his beautiful daughter Adora. For those of you who don’t know, Hanan Levin is the creator of the extraordinary blog ‘grow a brain‘ and more recently ‘Adorable‘ celebrating the birth and formative years of his daughter’s life with artwork and illustrations by thousands of artists. The new piece below will appear alongside the others on his blog shortly. Thank you Hanan & Adora!! – a fantastic project and very happy to be a part of it.
Digital Arts have featured an interview about my working practice so I thought I’d share it on the blog too, alternatively you can see it on the Digital Arts website here
Carne Griffiths brews up an exhibition
Many artists and designers use tea as an integral part of their creative process – to drink and pause and reflect on a work before applying final touches or heading off in a new direction – but the beverage is much more instrumental to the work of the artist Carne Griffiths. He creates what he describes as “drawings in ink and tea [that] offer a form of escapism to the viewer”, mixing portraits with floral shapes and watery smudges and drips for a style imbued with both sadness and strength
Carne’s solo show, Journeys, is at Gallery 90in London from Saturday, so in advance of the show we thought we’d find out more about his art and creative process.
DA: How did you first get into the use of liquids such as tea in your work?
CG: “I have drawn with fountain pen for many years, often with plain water washes. When I decided to leave my post of creative director at an embroidery firm to pursue a love of drawing I experimented with liquids such as brandy.
“I liked the effect this had on the inks I was using but decided that an alternative that wasn’t such a wasteful crime would be a better option so I started experimenting with different types of tea.”
DA: What does using such materials enable you to do that conventional painting techniques alone do not?
CG: “Colour is a difficult area for me and something that I have become more confident with in recent works. My confidence in using different materials is growing but the benefit of working with a medium such as tea is that it creates a naturally harmonious palette.
“I can introduce vibrant colours but the tea does the job of mixing with these to create a balance in the work. I know this could have been achieved with a reduced palette of colours but there is something about the whole process of brewing the tea and working with a colour that becomes more intense or darker in tone as the work progresses.”
DA: How does your past in embroidery design influence your work?
CG: “I undertook an apprenticeship in embroidery and it was something that I didn’t take lightly, there is a great responsibility learning from someone who has devoted 50 years of their life to understanding and developing a trade, and then the challenge is taking that information and making the job your own. That kind of intensity and study of technique is bound to have an influence on both your drawing style and also your approach to artwork.
“A lot of my influences manifest themselves in quite a subtle way – sometimes subconsciously. I think the reason that many of my compositions sit within the page and fit within given shapes is down to this training and obviously the floral elements and pattern within my work derive from my embroidery background.
“Looking back at my work over the past year, the influence of floral pattern seems to be less evident in later pieces. I am becoming more interested in expressive lines and less controlled work, which is one of the advantages of working without constraint.”
DA: Could you give us a brief insight into your creative process for an artwork?
CG: “Spontaneity and chance is the key to most of my work, allowing myself the freedom to change the direction of a piece of work at any time is what excites me most about making art. I can be working on a piece and suddenly have the impulse to tip a cup of tea almost entirely over the work and then to throw the piece around moving the ink away from the underlaying lines. This process of ‘destruction’ is found in most of the pieces that I consider successful.
“I have a real passion for outsider art and automatic drawing – show me the work of someone who considers themselves unable to draw and I will marvel at their approach. So part of my aim in any piece of work is to reach that point where I become less concerned with the act of making an image and become absorbed in the drawing itself.
“The work of Andre Masson and the incredible tortured drawings of Antonin Artaud are examples to me of the raw power of the drawn line. I am of the opinion that creativity has less to do with technical ability than intuition, freedom of expression and confidence in mark making.”
DA: How did you come to be exhibiting at Gallery 90?
CG: “I was introduced to the gallery by the artist Mason Storm who is also exhibiting at G90 later in December. He’s been pretty instrumental in arranging the whole thing and I’m grateful for the opportunity.”
DA: What journeys does the title of the show refer to?
CG: “The show title reflects upon several types of journey. It alludes to the process of creating the work, to the discovery involved during each piece and also to the way I have approached my own artwork over the last year allowing things to happen organically without too much concern for direction.”
The exhibition runs from Nov 19 to Dec 3 at Gallery 90, 90 Mountgrove Road, Finsbury Park, London, N5 2LT. The private view is on Nov 18 from 7pm.
Digital Arts Staff
The Private view for the exhibition ‘ J O U R N E Y ‘ at Gallery 90 is this Friday 18th November from 7pm,
As well as featuring drawings in tea and Ink made over the last year the exhibition will showcase a triptych of 5 foot drawings fresh from the Studio. I do hope you will be able to join me to help celebrate the first year of working as an artist, can’t wait to share the new work with you.
Also accompanying the show are 2 new limited edition prints;
‘Strength‘ – 60 x 42cm printed on 330 gsm Saunders Somerset paper, with varnish layer treatments and gold leaf accents. The print is a limited edition of 50 published by fine art print suppliers Harwood King, and will be available for £270 from the 18th November.
‘Another Place’ A2 Giclee print on 300gsm Hahnemuhle etching paper, edition of 25,
Another place (normally £150) will be available for sale at a specially discounted price of £120 at the private view of Journey.
Look forward to seeing you at the Private View.
