Organic Art Giveaway

 My art has a lot to do with different landscapes that I lived near by, visited or that in other way influenced me. Email me on silviakrupinska@gmail.com with a short paragraph of how and which landscape had an effect on you whatever country you live in, possibly which one you’d love to visit and in 4 weeks I’ll pick 8 people to whom I will post special signed artworks I’ll make for them on a white tag. (Feel free to include an image in your email and put ‘Landscapes’ in the subject line. Remember to include your postal address too.) Who will receive ‘Heavy Mountain Lake’ in post from me?

Follow me on Twitter @silviakrupinska with #OrganicArtGiveaway or like my Facebook page click here.

Silvia Krupinska, Tazke Pleso 2013 _Heavy Mountain Lake 2013. Abalone on white tag.

Organic Sculptures in DegreeArt Magazine

9 of Unit 3 Projects artists have done a residency in London’s DegreeArt called In All Directions, which finished in mid-May 2013. I’m very pleased how the residency turned out. The truth is, it seemed ages ago now, as I’d finished another project already titled Origins in Unit 3 Projects. The magazine deserves a blog post too, so here we go. Enjoy flicking the slick pages.

Please look through the magazine on this link. It is really nicely done! Thanks so much DegreeArt.  My artwork has been featured on pages 7, 61, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 75, and 81.

 

Origins in Unit 3 Projects began

Hello from a sunny London! I thought my blog posts have become more frequent lately, if you’re a subscriber sorry if your inbox is receiving too many updates. To my defence, this is my season..creative season. And when I’m rolling, I’m unstoppable! Just kidding. I’ve decided to use this single post for updates on my ‘Origins’ project at Unit 3 Projects. I’ll add photos and text to it, as it develops. I won’t create new single posts on the same theme of  ’Origins’ but I’ll just add on to this one, that way you’re spared emails …saying that, do come back to keep track and see new ideas and you’re more than welcome to visit me in the space (email first silviakrupinska at gmail.com) or at the event on 23 May! Facebook event link. Before I forget, Thank you to ASC for putting my event on their website! Now there is a statement I’ve written about my inspirations behind Origins, click here to read it.

Origins Day 1 outdoors: 1 May 2013

I did a photo shoot with my organic sculpture ‘Farol’ in Epping Forest. The sculpture is one of the larger ones in the series, I was curious to see it outdoors. And then, this dog found it very puzzling to discover it…check it out!

© Silvia Krupinska 2013

Origins Day 1 indoors: 1 May 2013

Discovering  light and dark of the Unit 3 Projects space in this 55 second video.

Origins Day 7 indoors: 7 May 2013

I’ve some good news to report. I’ve secured a sponsor for Origins! Thanks to Jim’ll Mix It company I’ll have a hill of sand for my installation at Unit 3 Projects. I’m so excited as I always wanted to fulfil this idea…I’ll bring you some images from the process, as it develops.

14 May, sand in day! Never worked so hard in my life!

(Need to work even harder to bring all the sand out soon! Helpers welcomed)

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Happy to announce I’ve another sponsor for the event. Local company The Nut House will supply their fresh cakes, dried fruit and nuts. Thank you!

17 May 2013 – 6 days to the event

130 metres of ribbon is ready to be hanged for my ‘May Installation’ on Wednesday in Empson Street. You can’t miss it on Thursday on your way to Unit 3 Projects ’Origins’ event 6-9 pm.
‘May Installation’ is inspired by a Slovak old tradition of ‘Majov/Mays’, which is considered the most romantic gesture of all, not practised so much nowadays. A young man would go in the forest to search for the tallest best tree to bring to his girlfriend. Before setting it in the ground, he’d add ribbons and decorate it with a hope to marry her. ‘Mays’ are also known to protect new houses from bad luck and ghosts…

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Some new works made especially for the event, from ‘Mountain Lakes’ series below – coming in two sizes – 19.5cm sqare and 14cm square in abalone.

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Installation day

Event day and exhibition

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‘Pearl’ sculptures at Grand Designs Live

You can see my ‘Pearl’ sculptures at Grand Designs Live at Excel from 4-12 May 2013 with Curious Duke Gallery. I’m planning to be there on Monday, if you would like to find out all about them directly. Let me know. I’m looking forward to seeing you there!

Art reviews for Sky’s OH TV

In May 2012 I was a guest on a TV show ‘Culture Vultures’ on Sky channel 199 OH TV. Click on the link to read a post about it. What I didn’t know,  that one day I’d record art reviews for the same show! So It happened to my delight back in December and January/February this year. I had recorded 19 of Artists’ reviews. There were 19 artists works I chose to share on the TV screens with you. I prefer to call them more introductions than reviews, as I share my most loved artists and artworks around me and bring those to your attention. I love doing that! There are little better things than talking about a loved piece of art, or an artist you admire. And most of all, people don’t want to listen, if one talks about herself/himself all the time! Try it. Promote your artists friends, or if you’re in an another profession, praise your colleagues’ work, and you’ll feel so good! Speaking from my own experience! I’d recommend it to anyone.

left:Culture Vultures presenter Rosemary Laryea, book reviewer Gill Fisher and sculptor and art reviewer Silvia Krupinska

More about ‘Culture Vultures’. Culture Vultures is a panel discussion and review show (3o min long) presented by Jazz FM radio personality Rosemary Laryea. Each week, special panel guests pick apart and review new films, music, books, classical art, plays and other trends emerging from the world of Arts and Culture. The guests on ‘Culture Vultures’ will include critics, authors, designers, film-makers and writers, each with their own eclectic styles and tastes, led by Rosemary. The second season of Culture Vultures welcomed me as part of the reviewing team (Sculptor and Art Reviewer Silvia Krupinska) and Book Critic Gill Fisher. We joined Rosemary on set alongside a special guest, who tells exciting stories from whatever creative industry they come from. Then, both Gill and I in each episode have done our reviews. Gill book reviews and me art reviews. Unfortunately the second season of  ’Culture Vultures’ had already ended. I talked about five artists and their works. They were Jason DeCaires Taylor, Shan Hur, Nicola Anthony, Carne Griffiths and Sam Shendi. You can read Nicola’s post on her website about it here. If you missed those you can look out for Season 3, which is fast approaching in April (my reviews start again on Monday 29th at 2 pm with review of art by Anne Bevan). It will also be jam-packed with an eclectic bunch of special guests such as Delia Barker, Co-Director of the English National Ballet School; Nana Afua Twi, Britain’s Top Model of Colour winner; Eryka Freemantle, celebrity make-up artist and the multi-talented musician Lonyo Englele. Thank you so much to make-up artist Juliet Onyeka Osodi (@onyekaBeauty) who had done the make up for us all!

left, presenter Rosemary Laryea, musician Ciyu Brown, Gill Fisher book reviews and Silvia Krupinska art reviews.

Schedule of my art reviews as it’s been given to me follows. Please note changes might occur without any notice. You can click on the artists to explore their websites. Do let me know if you watch it and tweet about it with #CultureVultures tag, you can follow me @silviakrupinska and @OHTV if you like too! Thanks for your visit come again and enjoy the sun. Happy Friday!

(Since first writing this post, in fact the order of the shows has been mixed up. I have no control of this matter and to ensure to see the desired show, watch each week I guess. Sorry for any inconvenience.)

ANNE BEVAN

(29th April 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.

AGNETHA SJOGREN	6th May 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
JONNY BRIGGS	13th May 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
ABIGAIL BOX	20th May 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
BEN LEVY	27th May 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
TOMAS LIBERTINY	3rd June 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
ROGER HIORNS	(10th June 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
KATE MCCGWIRE	17th June 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
JOANNA ROSE TIDEY	24th June 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
KATIE PATERSON	1st July 2013 at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
ANNA BARLOW	8th July at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
CAROLINE JANE HARRIS	(Monday 15th July at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
JOHN BUNKER	Monday 22nd July at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.
JONATHAN GABB	Monday 29th July at 2.00pm + same time repeats for the rest of that week.

Picture of the day: 25.4.2013 – ‘Pearls’ in glass

I’ve been preparing a presentation of my ‘Pearl’ series sculptures, and I feel I like them in combination with colour and glass. What’s your view? Available at Curious Duke Gallery.

Confessions of ‘Mountain Lakes’

Hello. I’ve been thinking how often one can get lost in contemporary art and its meanings. I for this reason for the first time have written an open ‘confession’ of what inspired me and drove me to make the new abalone sculptures, drawings, call them what you want. With my ‘heart on the text’ I give you this statement about my recent series. All of the pieces are available on DegreeArt.com website under Unit 3 Projects profile. Click away. Thanks.

During the DegreeArt residency ‘In All Directions’, I’ve focused and challenged myself to use another kind of natural material – abalone shells and their mother of pearl. I’m an organic sculptor; I thrive on challenges like these! I picked these shells for a specific reason. I’ve done a research into what kind of shells there are and how they can be sustainably sourced. I use broken recycled abalone shells and my supplier has the Trade in Endangered Species licence (CITES). It is very important to me and I believe as an artist I have a responsibility to the environment.

Silvia Krupinska, Frozen Lake, High Tatras, Slovakia, 2013_detail

The new works of ‘Mountain Lakes’ are personal works that relate to the place where I was born in Slovakia, The High Tatras Mountains (Those are split on the north with Poland too). I felt I needed to share part of my belonging, the shapes of snowy peaks and nature I could see every day from my window that influenced me hugely. All this might have contributed that I became a sculptor!
The abalone shells also link my previous sculptural series ‘From the Bottom of the Sea’ and ‘Pearl’ series to the new ‘Mountain Lakes’ series. I consider abalone beautiful as they are, and incorporating them in my works was always going to be something I was going to be very careful about. The way around it was to forget about their preciousness and look at them purely as a sculpting material. Having previously crashed pearls and shells for sculpting, I found this worked this time too, and I could use the mother of pearl contained in abalone shells, including the varied textures and colours.
I used a map of the High Tatras Mountains and I lifted the shapes of mountain lakes out (plesa in Slovak). There are various myths and legends connected to the lakes, those helped me to decide which ones I’d like to enlarge and fill in with mother of pearl. For example ‘Green Duck Lake’ (Zelene Kacacie Pleso) has a myth of a mesmerising white duck laying a golden egg nearby it each Easter; yet no brave man was able to bring it home. Apparently they turned into a rock on contact with the egg!
I’ll return to abalone once again, as one aspect of it I haven’t explained yet. All shells are grittier and rougher on the outside and the inside of the shell that is in direct contact with the animal, the snail that lives in it, is very smooth and often shiny, containing mother of pearl. The inner side, normally considered by people as more attractive side is while the animal is alive, hidden away. The inner beauty is tucked away from us. I’ll compare it to humans now, as good comes within from our hearts us people, doesn’t matter about the outside shell…I self-reflect and have abalone to represent me, us people, as a gesture, adding second personal level to my work, apart from the geographical aspect.

Silvia Krupinska, Green Duck Lake, Hight Tatras, Slovakia, 2013

The viewer has a power to a certain extend to change the works, by the reflective surface picking up the colours around it and slightly changing their colour depending. The levels of the light make the artworks change too – they become more ‘sparkly’ with lots of light or colourful and calmer in more shady spot.
These new pieces move between of mediums of sculpture and drawing. Ultimately they are sculptures.

You can see my ‘Mountain Lake’ series and my fellow artists works already starting on Tuesday, 23rd of April at DegreeArt gallery at Vyner street, London. Read more here. I hope to see you there. The show is on till May 5th, 2013. Thank you!

Sculpture finished in sea water

I finished a sculpture at Tynemouth Longsands beach yesterday by dipping it in the sea water. I’ve more images and this photographic series and they will be available as original photographic prints in the near future. Have a great week and come back soon for the next blog post. Cheers!

© Silvia Krupinska 2013

New abalone works of mountain lakes now on my website

Click to view them here - http://cargocollective.com/silviakrupinska/LAKES and follow #DAresidency #InAllDirections for more on twitter.

 

 

 

 

© Silvia Krupinska 2013

In All Directions residency at DegreeArt

24 March – 05 May

10 diverse artists from Unit 3 Projects (I’m happy including  myself) will work with, beside, around and against one another in DegreeArt’s ‘The Execution Room’ in order to engage themselves and you in an experimental and haphazard creative conversation. Taking ‘gesture’ as its central theme, In All Directions is a celebration of possibility, exchange and risk.

The residency will see the exhibition space transformed into an artist studio with an active and engaging atmosphere. Open daily 12-6 pm for visitors to come and see work being conceived of, made and discussed.

Photo (left to right): Pamela Carr, Henry Byrne, Silvia Krupinska, Luis Ignacio Rodriguez, Jennifer Farmer, Hormazd Narielwalla, Samuel Overington and Abigail Box. (MIA: Flavius Alagrius and John Appleton)

Twitter: @DegreeArt #InAllDirections #DAresidency #Unit3Projects | Facebook:facebook.com/DegreeArt | facebook.com/Unit3Gallery | Instagram: DegreeArt Tumblr:DegreeArt.tumblr.com | Unit-3.tumblr.com | Video: Interviews | Press Release: PDF
Thu 04 Apr First Thursdays 6-9 pm
Sat 20 Apr Showing: Drawing and Contact Improvisation 2-3 pm
Sat 20 Apr “In conversation with…” : You, The Artist, Their Work, A Recording Device
Tue 23 Apr Exhibition opening with Pecka Kucha talks 6-9 pm
Sat 27 Apr Sharpen My Pencil life drawing salon with Coffee+Sponge 6:30-9 pm £8 RSVP
Sun 28 Apr Workshop: Pen Nor Paper 5-7pm £8 RSVP
Thu 02 May First Thursdays 6-9 pm
Sat 04 May But What Kind Of Art 7-9 pm

 

 

I want to say a big Thank you to LivePozitive. They sponsored me and are supporting me all the way. I answered some questions for them in this interview. And another article as my work progresses is here.

 

 

Origins at Unit 3 Projects

Advance planner for your calendar:

Yes, it is true we’ll have an exhibition in DegreeArt after our residency is over there, but here is one show I’ll be doing straight after.

I’ll be working on new projects in Unit 3 Projects space in London from 29th April to 26th May. Pop in to see me there as the work develops and come to the PV on Thursday 23rd May, 6-9pm.

Email to silviakrupinska@gmail.com if you’re planning a visit during the development stage.
Thank you.

Facebook event page.

 

Find out more about what is coming next on my website by clicking on Exhibitions.

Picture of the day / Unit 3 Projects residency began.

Self portrait and my hand in the sand

Time has come for me to think after this long winter about what is it I want to achieve this season (a year for me begins in the late March). I’ve decided to investigate my roots and true desires in making art, hence I bring you a gesture of this thought, my first self-portrait.

Silvia Krupinska, Self portrait and my hand in the sand, 2013

 

Unit 3 Projects in conversation…

I’ve been recently interviewed in my studio by artist Samuel Overington for ASC UNIT 3 Projects - artists’ introductions. Purpose of this video is to show my studio and introduce my work a little bit, as one of UNIT 3 Projects artists. More lively interviews of other artists to come. Oh and I put my face in the sand in it…

 

Link to more images from the interview in this Unit 3 Projects Facebook album.

 

I’ve become a LivePozitive “Autre Bird”

I’m happy to announce a happy collaboration and beginning of an exciting venture. I’ve become a part of OZ LivePozitive as one of their “Autre Birds”. OZ LivePozitive is a non-profit organization established in August 2011 consisting of a bunch of creative and hard working people who are trying to make this world different. They are keen on supporting art & artists, culture and positive ways of life with their basecamp in High Tatras, Poprad (Slovakia), where they are meeting, working, protecting mountain´s wealth, however spread internationally. Please read more about it on their website, where you can find my profile too. More news about exhibitions, articles and events to come soon. Keep tuned. As ever, thanks for reading!

Your opinions count. Leave a comment or email me (silviakrupinska@gmail.com). Cheers.

Picture of the day, Valentine 2013.

“When my sculptures touch a part of nature, or are set in the nature, that is the final step for them to their completion. They need to experience the water, the sand, the sun, all of those “sensations” and afterwards, they carry a part of that positive, natural vibration in them.”

©Silvia Krupinska, Trochus sculpture on abalone shell, 2013. All rights reserved.

Picture of the day, 13.2.13

“My work is about nature, texture and most importantly how the sculptures and humans need the nature, act in nature and belong to it.”

©Silvia Krupinska, Ria Formosa sculpture in Empty Quarters Desert, 2012. Photo by Silvia Krupinska. All rights reserved.

Fluid Sculpture of Jonathan Gabb (Artist of the Month Series)

Monthly series of Silvia Krupinska’s Artist of the Month continues with a sculptural-painterly number. Following my December article about painter John Bunker, I’ve Jonathan Gabb here for you in January’s edition. Gabb makes large installations of colourful-waterfall-like acrylic strands, which are hand cut with Stanley knife. He is pushing the boundaries of two disciplines, painting and sculpture together, and furthering both at the same time! I found his works at Wilson Williams Gallery in Hatton Garden, London, where I saw his System exhibition. This show was a culmination of his 3-month residency in the gallery after winning their Solo Award in 2012.

Jonathan Gabb, Prime Titanium 4

I consider Gabb to be a true artist with passion for the paint and making process. His fresh approach is brave, with incredible honesty. He isn’t afraid to reveal how his works are constructed, even leaving the remaining frame of the acrylic sheet on show, which the strands are attached to and cut from. That makes the works complete, in my opinion. Words like cast, PVA, knot, cut, frame, out of the tube, ready made, sensual, fluid, theatrical, peeling, plastic sheet and many more are closely associated with his creative ‘system’. He titles finished pieces in a cold manner – titanium 4, deep gum 8 – not taking away the importance of the medium, itself.

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I’ve talked to Jonathan Gabb about his work in WW Gallery, find out more if you are curious in this short video.

 

Thanks for having a look and reading today’s post, come back again, comment, give suggestions and if you find a cool interesting artists, let me know.

Send your emails to: newartist@silviakrupinska.com

 

My Top 8 at London Art Fair 2013

My favourite art fair is happening this week and I couldn’t resist to choose my top 8 artworks (5 wasn’t enough) and share those with you! This choice of artworks reflects my personal taste and I wasn’t influenced by the galleries or other hidden agenda, but simply they caught my eye and I wanted to celebrate them in no particular order. I hope you’ll enjoy my selection, as always do leave your comments or suggestions at the end of the post. I’ve linked up all the artists and the galleries to their websites, feel free to click on! Enjoy the snow in London!

 

1. Jack Milroy, The Liquid Beauty of the Sky, 2010_2012, detail, Art First.

Jack Milroy, The Liquid Beauty of the Sky, 2010-2012, detail, Art First.

Jack Milroy, The Liquid Bauty of the Sky, 2010-2012, Art First.

 

2. Anna Barlow – Cushion Food 2_rear view, Bicha Gallery.

©Anna Barlow – Cushion Food 2, rear view. Image courtesy of the artist and Bicha Gallery.

 

3. Helen Maurer, Eclipsed by the Boy, 2011, Danielle Arnaud.

Helen Maurer, Eclipsed by the Boy, 2011, Danielle Arnaud Gallery.

 

4. Brendan Jamison ARBS, 10 Downing Street II, 2012, Four Square Fine Art.

Brendan Jamison ARBS, 10 Downing Street II, 2012, Four Square Fine Art.

 

5. Sarah Tew, Standing Course, 2012, La Scatola Gallery.

Sarah Tew, Standing Course, 2012, La Scatola Gallery.

 

6. Anna Gilespie, Tumble, Beaux Arts Bath.

Anna Gilespie, Tumble, Beaux Arts Bath.

 

7. Polly Gould, Berg off Cape Evans, 2012, Daniell Arnaud.

Polly Gould, Berg off Cape Evans, 2012, Daniell Arnaud.

 

8. Stephanie Carlton Smith, Pity Me English Oak Jan 2013, 2013, Beaux Arts London.

Stephanie Carlton Smith, Pity Me English Oak Jan 2013, 2013, Beaux Arts London.

Pearl Nautilus or Abalone Shells?

I’ve been considering using some Pearl Nautilus shells as sculpting material. However, after doing some essential research I changed my mind. It’s being overfished and it will become endangered species in the near future.
(source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/science/25nautilus.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0)
This is what one looks like on the left. In case you see it on your exotic holidays or online, think twice about getting it. I’m going for a more sustainable alternative, farmed Abalone on the right.

Pearl Nautilus shell

Abalone shell