'Earth Matters' is a new art exhibition by Bridget Spinney. It opens at the National Trust of Guernsey's Art at the Park Gallery at the Folk and Costume Museum on Wednesday 6th May and runs until Friday 5th June. Opening times are 10am until 5pm daily (Please be aware that the exhibition will close at 2pm on the final day.). The Gallery is free entry and accessible friendly.
Earth Matters by Bridget Spinney
I have always believed we should respect and live in balance with nature.
My recent work has been preoccupied with a project called ‘The Art of Nature on Paper’. It is borne from a concern for the environment and how it has become saturated with chemicals and plastic.
Using natural mediums, charcoal, cuttlefish ink and homemade inks, to create art facilitated by local nature on paper, I am hoping to promote a kinder and more sympathetic way of living. Promoting pesticide and plastic free living.
“I am thrilled by the magical transient moments of nature such as the blossoming of a flower, or the patterns or seaweed left on the beach by a wave, being captured to live for so much longer on paper.”
The Rocquaine Collection
Created in 2013 at the very beginning of this journey. I was shell collecting on the beach and soon became aware of the huge pressures our oceans are under looking at the juxtaposition of the flotsam and jetsam.
Beach Prints
Wave patterns left on the beach printed in charcoal.
Preserving little precious untarnished moments of nature.
Seaweed
A neglected abundant natural resource. Printed in cuttlefish ink, celebrating its beauty and variety.
Black Bream
Goyutaku the Japanese word for this ancient technique of printing from fish using cuttlefish ink. A local fish like so many other breeds threatened by overfishing, pollution and climate change.
Blooms
Emanated from observing pesticide free soils grown in petri-dishes, which inspired the circular composition. Painted in organic inks I have made from plants in my garden. The colours will continue to change with time.
Bridget Spinney
I am an artist living and working on Guernsey. I am married and mother of two adult sons.
We moved to Guernsey in 2011 after having sailed to Brazil on our 37ft Sweden Yacht, the family adventure ended in near tragedy with my husband Richard being hit by an enormous wave on the beach and breaking his neck. Having made a remarkable recovery we now live in a beautiful listed Guernsey Farmhouse on the north of the island, and have converted an old barn into my beautiful studio, The Clock Barn Studio.
Our home is opposite L’Ancresse Common, a haven of wild flowers, butterflies and bees, and a short walk from two contrasting beaches, one a beautiful sandy bay and the other atmospheric and rugged.
It is my strong belief that I should use my skills to the greater good, to raise awareness of how we are contaminating our planet at every level to not knowing weather we are looking at a grain of sand or a grain of plastic on our beautiful beaches. I live in the hope that our small voices will eventually unite to become the greater force in preserving what is so precious.