Study for Late August On The Coast
July 23rd, 2010 Doug
Late August On The Coast - After the poem by Kenneth White
The Ship Of Fools - new blog page to be launched September 2010
July 21st, 2010 Doug
Das Narrenschyff _ Original woodcut from 1509 translation
Over the last year or so, I have been developing and planning a series of images based on Sebastian Brandt’s “Ship of Fools”, originally published in 1494. The book has fascinated me for a long time; strangely, I came across it through my interest in gaelic poems such as Tanaig Long ar Loch Raithneach (A Ship Has Come on Loch Rannoch), which is believed to show signs of being influence by Brandt’s poem.
Starting in September I will be producing a series of fifty two images, based on the translated text and original book plates from the 1509 version of the book, by Scottish writer Alexander Barclay. Some of woodcuts in the original publication were created by the master printmaker, Albrecht Durer.
I’ll be posting an image every week, interspersed with notes, sketches and excerpts from the book. As well as creating and interesting new section on the website, the work will form the basis for a new exhibition of work to be shown in 2011/12.
As part of my research for this project, I am deeply indebted and grateful to Sally Evans and Ian King of King’s Bookshop in Callander, who very kindly provided me with a beautifully bound copy of the 1873 reprint of Alexander Barclay’s translation. The book was invaluable to me as it filled in many missing areas of text and images.
Annotated title page from Volume 1 of the 1873 edition of the book
Click on this link, or follow the button on the home page of my website to The Ship Of Fools page, and watch out for regular posts from the end of August.
For more details about King’s Bookshop, with Ian’s superb bookbinding and Sally’s poetry, click on this link and find out more information about the shop and how to get there.
The artist’s studio reawakens!
July 20th, 2010 Doug
Where do I start!
After a lay-off that seems much longer than six weeks, I’m finally getting back into the studio and kick-starting my work (and the blog!).
Over the next few weeks I’ll be trying to catch up on work that was in progress, and developing a few new ideas which will be exhibited at the next show, at the Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham, in September.
I sure that I’m not the only artist or maker that finds that their work and output goes into a period of ‘hibernation’ after producing a major show or collection. Recharging the batteries and stocking up on new ideas is a vital part of making sure that this phase is only a temporary ‘catching your breath’.
So, it’s back into the studio, and rekindle the passion for making art. I’m working on a series of assemblages and drawings based on some fantastic poetry, and I feel privileged to be using the words of writers including Christine De Luca, Robert Alan Jamieson, Norman Bissell, Peter Urpeth, Andrew Philip and Kenneth White, to inspire and evoke new works.
I’ll be posting images of new assemblages and drawings as the work develops, and news of new projects, exhibitions and collaborations which I am currently involved in creating.
Brandan’s Last Voyage - After the poem by Kenneth White
