Henry Wood inner workings.

calm

2012-01-28T15:23:00.000-08:00

i have calmed myself, relaxed and now am pushing on with some exciting projects in the pipeline, as i sit and listen to my spirit energy humming around me the fear ive had has washed off. My mind has quietend i listen and observe my thought selectively bursting stodgy overloaded and unneeded ones, reading a book i can see not only the words on the page crisp clear and brilliantly in contrast to the delicate pages but the images these marks are playing out and dancing between the reality infront of me and the one in my head, i rose this morning and was still, ideas didnt force themselves into me loaded with fraught and frustration self denial. sunlight played, falling and mediating on the shelves and window pane, the black cherry trees outside stood firm and solid dark and dank, a most serious tree in winter. My bedroom tidy and in order, my desk tidy and in order invited my sketch book and mind to flow. these are some of the images that i came across today that made me smile.

2012-01-26T04:09:00.000-08:00

only paint when you can feel feel that storm of passion and purpose passing through, and that idea,

sea-fast held together, tight, streamlined and gleaming in off the possibilites and chance.

ive been in a state of shallow daze for three months. But now this energy to make and create has pulled out again and is pushing harder, harder against my hand to do as it will but into what form and how? No idea can come with this seething broiling foam filling my being, i know why i have tonsillitis right now its because i have it all to say but dont have the mode to articulate it.

Albert Marquet. 1875 - 1947.

2011-12-30T05:19:00.000-08:00

sunsets and invalids.

2011-12-24T15:27:00.000-08:00

Dorothy carrington describing a sunset in Corsica ni 1948

THe sun was sinking as i toiled up the pinnacle….And now all this world was being flooded with golden light, a light so laden with glittering particles that i felt it must surly lie heavy in my hand. Yet not a mist, confusing outlines; on the contrary, its action was to clarify… the Maquis, which all day long had looked tediously uniform, was now fragmented into gleaming turfs of vegetation growing from wells of shade; bushes assumed the dignity of forest trees. Colours too, were transformed: grey rock turned pink and orange, slashed with deep sea blue; the stately peaks….soared, crimson between vertical violet chasms. All that was normally dull and indefinite had become sharp, brilliant and solid: the change was not only colour but of consistency

future steps. broken by one and a half

2011-12-17T06:21:00.000-08:00

washed up tangled fishing net, broke rusted and seaweed strewn. cold sand between finger tips and a past hail storm now enbatteld with the suns rays, i have returned home to the island. The concrete drone substituted for the winds and finally, a reduction in distraction. The noise in my head to has subsided the million and one imperiously important things i need to do has fallen to just 3. Questions asked in darker shades of night washed out from under covers, anxiously trying to be patient with myself as i look for a new grain to anchor to and mould a new body of work from, my cat max patently sits on my lap quietly purring whilst my cup of tea sits waiting. An incredible idea hurts, its painful to impregnate with a seed and at the moment i feel like i have over ploughed my mind guilt tripping it into sharing even a hint of whats to come next. I think this move back home will help, i hope. what am i interested in, introspective or extrospective. So often it is worrying about both.

Pick up on a particular event relate to childhood, find a visual explanation in a story a tale or myth, depict it in a contemporary or traditional manner. Be clever use irony.

emma shoard life drawing

2011-12-14T02:59:00.000-08:00

Emma Shoards beautiful drawing.

wonderful new friend

2011-12-14T02:47:00.000-08:00

I met Hrvoje Majer at the Other Art fair and a few ngihts ago was invited over for dinner at his amazing studio, we chatted for hours it seemed. a great evening thankyou Hrvoje.

http://www.hrvojemajer.co.uk/

Bird of Prey Flying high Flying high am i going to die

2011-12-14T02:36:00.000-08:00

2011-12-07T09:14:00.001-08:00

sunny and Kai

2011-12-06T01:13:00.001-08:00

http://www.kaiandsunny.com/blog/blog.php

when is the next show, i went to the flower show and it blew my mind up.

boom.

pfft.

10 ten ..........

2011-12-05T07:09:00.001-08:00

you can be my hero baby.

Alma Haser.

Alex Simpson

Emma Kemp

Gina Parr

and more later.

NARCISS

2011-12-05T04:43:00.001-08:00

After the success of the opening night me and Eleanor Barreau have been invited back to help host a late night opening in conjunction with NottingHills christmas shopping late night openings, all in all 40 boutiques and shops will open their doors offering drinks and food and i even think their will be personal shopping tours going up and down. Everybody is invited and is a perfect opportunity to come and view the work again away from a gallery type environment, from 5pm his Thursday the 8th.
NARCISS boutique 185 Westbourne Grove, Notting Hill W11 2SB, London, UK

back log, form.

2011-12-05T04:42:00.001-08:00

Hannah Simpson. Lake district, force 8 winds and repeated conversation

2011-12-05T04:16:00.001-08:00

in the last three days i have found myself bringing up the Lake District in conversation a number of times, to dave it was sharing experiences of setting out to explore with dads with Elevine it was the magical beauty and so on. the lake district is a childhood setting for some of my greatest achievements..first ten mile walk...highest mountain....coldest dunk....best fighting stick found...first time i sat in a pub and sank pints with locals. this morning i woke up thinking of lake windermere with its grey green surface and mysterious atmosphere then i remembered my friend and incredibly talented illustrator Hannah Simpson had brought back drawings that she had made whilst their which communicate far better than any photoshopped picture the immensity of the place you can find her here at www.inkymalinki.blogspot.com/

and i find you retuned to your stool, elbow on hand whisky dripping off your chin.. and it was like you had never left.

2011-12-05T03:25:00.001-08:00

i got my blog back this morning and its been reason to stay in bed, propped up in the corner of a dark room hiding from a condensed grey daylight, i digress. Blogspot realising the truth have apologized and its all gravy!!!

first of all with the blog going down i couldn't cover the Other Art Fair, which was an awesome weekend of letting the world know about me, i met loads of quite incredible people including all the guys that worked their and bought work too, ive got to do a big shout to all the artists..man, come on they were all mind blowing...i will post my 10 favorite pieces later this morning. The highlight other than all the meeting seeing and experience sharing was made in the pub, on the friday we hit the pub it was packed with artists an organizers and man it felt special to be surrounded by such an incredible group of people.

new pieces for O.A.F

2011-11-20T08:59:00.001-08:00

Orange County, the london bounty.

2011-11-16T10:40:00.001-08:00

LONDON CALLING – LA

THE LONDON EMERGING ART SCENE HITS ORANGE COUNTY

CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ART

December 21, 2011 – January 12, 2012

This December, an intrepid group of emerging Contemporary British Artists from London’s Debut Contemporary exhibit in LA at The Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA) – known to present cutting-edge artwork since 1980.

The roster of artists reads like a who’s who of the young, UK art scene with involvement from Rosie Emerson, Tahnee Lonsdale and Agnetha Sjogren, amongst others. The incredibly talented artists have a wide number of achievements amongst them including Nicola Anthony who has received exhibition sponsorship from Tate Britain, had pieces shown at Tate Modern; Tinsel Edwards who has both Saatchi and Banksy as collectors of her work; and Rosie Emerson who recently exhibited at The Southbank Centre as part of The Women of The World Festival, Somerset House, as well as being featured in Vogue.

Selected by OCCCA Executive Directors and Curators, the flavour is undeniably British. It centres around the culture and vibrancy of the London and LA scenes, with works such as ‘Benji’ by Victoria Heald which references a pose taken from Antonioni’s iconic 1966 film ‘Blow-Up’ – the epitome of 1960s ‘Swinging London’.

Perhaps the most exciting thing about this collective is that in our climate of limited art funding, the artists have taken it upon themselves to promote and raise the profile of the London Art scene overseas. They are working collaboratively to come up with creative solutions, opposing the diminution of diversity in art, and extending the reach of UK arts: Fundraising to get as many of the talented artists to LA as possible, to be true ambassadors of the London art scene. They are empowering themselves to create their own opportunities. Find out more on their fundraising platform and Etsy art shop.

The Debut Contemporary artists were invited to show at OCCCA – having been discovered by their Head of Outreach,Joella March at a unique alternative LA Art Fair which they were showcased at during September 2011, alongside some of LA’s leading artists, curators and art industry heavyweights. During September, the artists attracted attention from the likes of LACE of Hollywood Boulevard and MOCA amongst other galleries from the buzzing Los Angeles art scene.

Samir Ceric, Director of London’s Debut Contemporary notes passionately, “I feel this is just the beginning of a very exciting project which has come out of this unique way of collaborating between Debut Artists and art professionals in the industry… One of Debut’s very important roles is to serve as conduits of information and opportunities between the Debut collective and community and the art world at large.”

Sebastien Daurel. no pressure. no sweat. cant fail

2011-11-14T15:32:00.001-08:00

L.A Calling!!

2011-11-13T14:43:00.001-08:00

i have two fantastic pieces of news both relating to iminate shows coming up!! firstly i feel tremendously grateful to have been chosen to exhibit my latest body of work at 'The Other Art Fair' Situated in the fabulous Bargehouse building next to the Oxo tower on Southbank. I will be exhibiting alongside some of the most brilliant creatives in the United kingdom after having my work judged by Charming Baker, D.r Anthony Downey, Sophie Hastings, Geodfrey Worsdale and the Marvellous Graham Fink. SWEEET! Secondly, in association with the all knowing all seeing all loving debut contemporary. I will be hopefull hopping along over the big blue ocean looking like david Attenbough at home with a stick insect pet on his shoulder, (happy) to the united states of everything to exhibit at the Orange County Center of Contemporary arts, this is indeed incredibly exciting i have chewed my hands off in nervousness and now employing small batch of Dickens style orphans to write this, hmmm dictations.. i digressTHIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART __HEY YOU!!-- check out our uber campaign to get us out to Orange County in the US OF A for our upcoming museum show at OCCCA, please donate what you can, amazing pieces of works up for grabs too. INDYGOGO - LONDON CALLING

NARCISS, private view.

2011-11-03T08:32:00.000-07:00

The opening of NARCISS's young designers and artists exhibtion last ngiht was a complete sucess, the shop was completely packed and everyone had a great time i had a fab time, everyone was incredibly receptive to my works which was brill, and i spend the night running between NARCISS and the Debut november preview too. a massive thankyou to everyone at NARCISS for all the hardwork put into making the night happen, the works will be on display for 6 weeks yet so you all have plenty of time to head down and check them out.

NARCISS

2011-11-01T01:27:00.000-07:00

NARCISS Boutique have as part of its emerging designers and artists month chosen me to display work in their shop on Westbourne road in Nottinghill, London The pieces will hang all of this month alongside painter Eleanor Barreau. fabulous stuff.

The Other Art Fair!!

2011-10-28T03:09:00.000-07:00

It is with great pleasure and an inormous amout of excitement to announce that i will be exhibiting some of my latest pieces of work at the 'Other Art Fair' at the BargeHouse on Southbank in London between the 24th and 27th of November, i will exhibiting alongside some superbly superior talent. Darren Macpherson, , Twinkle. Tahnee Lonsdale and Chris Edwick.

Potfolio.

2011-10-26T23:53:00.001-07:00

finally a final statement!!!

2011-10-23T09:32:00.001-07:00

Henry Woods work is inspired out of an acute and intense awareness of the world around him, observations are based on life from the trivial to the profound, informed by themes from the mundane to the heroic. His latest body of work is an introspective look at the transition of change between child and man, exploring the rite of passage that seems to pass in a fleeting moment where a shift occurs in consciousness. The arrival of manhood heralds a new dawn lit by an acceptance of certain responsibilities of ones own life. A set initiation usually marks this period but in contemporary culture it is often over looked. Henrys initiation became a deep anxiety as he struggled to hold onto a childhood that had been rich and fulfilled whilst embroiled in accepting fresh roles. This new space he occupied being neither one nor the other opened up a crack in this metamorphosis, a period reminiscent to a dark night of the soul marked by isolation and a breakdown in communication, in essence walking on solid air. To explore this point of departure and arrival Henry consciously uses discarded materials owing to their loss and vacuum of meaning and purpose infinitely set in limbo to create figurative sculpture which stitches together this moment in time, sitting in a space that occupies neither one nor the other but both. The figures are primitive and saturated in childish endeavor most notably the exaggerated limbs and naive hands. The technique used to connect the pieces by simply pegging invites limbs to be moved and the figures to be mentally played with like toys, in essence these sculptures can be seen as playthings an idea is that their definition changes depending on who views them, adult or child. Embracing this idea of movement and play layers the sculpture with a certain conspicuous mischievousness. They are reaching out to the plastic playthings of his childhood wrestlers, teenage ninja mutant turtles and Ghostbusters now reinterpreted in a nostalgic natural primacy. The acceptance of Manhood occupies this space too, the faces are left blank carved to be simple and contemplative. The positioning and stances bestowed on the sculpture is consciously manipulated to be reflective of this period, projecting subtle emotive nuances layers a sophistication through the works as they each occupy their solitary islands, waiting.

Satellite

2011-10-23T06:22:00.001-07:00

Satellite, as we play out our lives on earth there are journeys of epic proportions silently being undertaken again and again repetitively taking the same route over and over, with the greatest views thousands of satellites make an endless pilgrimage around the earth, this act of quiet contemplation inspired me to work with just a pencil to create these images of the journeys these space nomads take around the earth , the actual process was fundamental as I was taking a journey like the satellites around a fixed point repetitively marking the paper to create a route.

leaving my childhood behind.

2011-10-17T11:06:00.000-07:00

In honesty i have always been late, subconsiously clinging on to whatever it was to be clinged on to. maybe this isnt true in the bigger picture but you cant help copare to peers at school it seemed everyone grew up or wanted to grow up so fast, like childhood is only a period to be patient through like a waiting game where you practise being an adult untill you someday somehow become one. imagination was dropped early as a distastful indicator of youth and the game to play was always prepare to get a carrear a morgage and kids, kids waiting to have kids. On moving to London the game became enhanced it became act like an adult and be somebody whilst doing it, the only break was getting inebriated on liquer powder and bass lines. At this point an anxoiusness arises where because you at 18 are still a child but now have to shed it and emerge as adult and the definition of adult becoming an aroused sence of pointless small talk an isolation through choice and a boring addiction to what other adults do.. work sleep work talk about other peoples lives and so on. I hang on and still hanging on to trying to ease myself into adulthood, this caused a great anxiousness inside of me something i centered myself around and became for a while but now i think i may have realised that you can still center yourself around an innerchild, go for it and ask it what it wants, how it would do something? a blend of accepting the responsibilty of adultness and still core touch of youth. I morn my real childhood now i think constantly i long for warmth of home and sercurity of parents nearby. Ive been thinking of where my artwork comes from because to look at my sculptures or painting etc their is an adult saphistication to them the poses the subtle carved contemplative pure faces but they are sturated in childish marks, the exagerated limbs the enterptated hands the fact that all the pieces that connect can be played with, the child alays wants to change something, to create something even with the most basic of things. The sculptures are in essence toys like the wrestlers or teenage mutant ninja turtles or ghostbuster toys id play with for years. These toys im creating are grown up not like the vinyl 'collectors toys' that you see for sale as they come from adults pretending to be children. Capturing that period in between child and adult in presence that essence of change i think makes these sculptures special its a rare bleeting moment in life not many people are concious of, they may call it 'teenage years' but teenager is a term though up in the last 60 years of our 10 million year history as humans, no becoming an adult is much deeper than that. im sorry for the spelling mistakes it was an instant stream of thought i needed to get down, will correct later. henry.

todays inspiration.--colour.

2011-10-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

yesterday i held a workshop session with three magic kids in maida vale, the emphasis was centred around the environment however i feel the usual approach by zooming in on the doom and gloom of the industrial civilised nations mining of the earth needs to be rocked slightly, so instead i decided to angle it as a celebration of the beautiful abundance of life still on hanging on, the wonderful thing about working with and collaborating with kids is their inability to fear the next move, colour line form and shape. challenges are faced with unparalleled imagination. the result was an idea to create a boars head that was saturated in childish endeavour. this morning i woke up with a fresh state of mind and hopefully a new direction. celebration opens whilst concern closes.

Miriam Cahn

2011-10-14T13:05:00.000-07:00

Soul food.

llink here to a great write up

Solid air. Dark night of the soul.

2011-10-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

these drawings were part of an epic introspective undertaking.

Oscars New Era!

2011-10-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

I was super stoked when i learnt my friends Oscar and Hannah have both entered and been accepted to the first round of the New Era hat design Comp. They both come from product design backgrounds and are heavily influenced by experimenting with processes, Oscar leans more towards smelting and the manipulation of metals his entry is awesome its super experimental. heres the linkto explain it all a little clearer and see some of the other entries.

Illywords.

2011-09-25T03:07:00.000-07:00

lat night illy coffee as part of its Galleria Illy pop-up gallery hosted a fantastic talk which celebrated the release of its most resent edition of its illyWords magazine. The Magazine is a combination of articles and illustrations, each publication is illustrated by a new art school and i was lucky enough to still be a Kingston when it rolled around to us to illustrate their latest edition, under the title Journey we submitted images. Turning up at the Moroso design studios on Rosebury Avenue i immediately gravitated towards the free coffee and huge pile of the publication still hot off the pees, i opened it and to my absolute pleasure had been given two whole spreads a total of 4 illustrations including a whole page!!!! The night only got better as we we privy enough to witness some of the greatest minds in contemporary illustration discuss what it was illustration was, really engaging stuff. Included too was an exhibition of our work in which one of my pieces was exhibited on an original Michelangelo Pistoletto table!!!!.........Pictures coming soon..........

Jesus Christ.

2011-09-23T10:45:00.000-07:00

Then Jesus said to his disciples '' Therefore i tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, what you will wear or about your body. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens. They do not sow or reap they have no storeroom or barn, yet god feeds them and how much more valuable you are than birds''

Margret Mellis.

2011-09-19T14:13:00.000-07:00

i covered Mellis in my disseration and thought it was be good to post an excerpt from it, shes one of my favourite artists and a massive influence. Her way of working endorsed an almost buddist approach to creating, as she exherted a certain unconcious creative control and nothing more letting her materials explore their own forms and colours ‘‘working soley on Colour as affired and amended by form and structure, she produced relief sculptures of wit an verve’’ (Collins 2009) she would be often found combing the surrounding beaches near her house for any wood that had seeminglessy ended its long voyoage in the oceans to start a new one reserected as an active participant in a callabertation between mellis and the forces of nature. The assemblages ‘ Have no framing edge but are nethertheless hung to a wall as stable, if irregular assemblages....The broken or charred fragments from boats, oars, rudders or other natural objects have a senuous ruehness of texture and colour that Mellis fully exploits. It seems as though her process of creation is through play an active participation of finding and feeling what works, these objects or gifts from the sea come to her with their own stories and histories but are transformed in the processes she applies as Roger Deakin (2007) explains ‘‘they are a collection of Silent Stories, each piece of driftwood carries its own secret history that begins with the seed of the unknown it came from’’(Deakin 2007. p186).

Ralph Waldo Emerson.

2011-09-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

Nature.--page 4. ''To speak truly, few adult persons can see nature. Most persons do not see the sun. At least they have a very superficial seeing. The sun illuminates only the eye of the man , but shines into the eye and the heart of the child. The lover of nature is he whose inward and outward senses are still truly adjusted to each other; who has retained the spirit of infancy even into the era of manhood''.....'' In the woods is perpetual youth..In the woods, we return to reason and faith. There i feel that nothing can befall me in life, no disgrace, no calamity (leaving me my eyes), which nature cannot repair. Standing on the bare ground , my head bathed by the bare ground, all mean egoism vanishes.

notes taken from note book dated 13th of September 2011

2011-09-18T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Royal Naval College, Greenwich. Underneath the great london planes that stand aside the path. Long live the trees silent and sturdy. Sentinels rooted in a deep loyalty to all those in their presence even those in presence who have lost or forgotten the ability to realise their presence. The trees tower above, cant you see? Ever in conversation with those who have time to speak from a state of soul bound connection to the immediate environment, those who accept presence are honoured and in awe of such gentle and wondrous beings, bringing forward and realising a deeper sense of respect for the trees we walk under. They bring nothing but joy to us is this not spirit experienced when we receive the dappled and cooled sunlight through their green and plentiful boughs not but pleasure and the sense of peace we attain from standing underneath allowing ourselves to be wrapped in their natural majesty a feeling of security and homeliness. I share the ground with trees both of our life blood is deep rooted.we are both nurtured by the essence and energies of our ancestors.

Debut Contemporary. Preview.

2011-09-13T09:05:00.001-07:00

New works. sneak peak.

2011-09-07T04:57:00.001-07:00

DEBUT CONTEMPORARY

2011-09-07T04:51:00.000-07:00

As if this year couldnt reach new heights i was in June scouted and accepted onto the incredibly successful Debut Contemporary platform, helping me develop myself personally as a creative and professionally as an artist i will be exhibiting my work in their incredible space in Notting Hill. please visit the gallery any time to see my work and all the other talented debut artists works too.

ROBOTS INVADE SECRET GARDEN PARTY!!!!!

2011-09-06T05:47:00.000-07:00

this summer i spent two weeks playing hardcore wood carpenter with the incredible and indestructible Robots crew. i have been part of Robots for a while now helping out at the BlackLight exhibition in Putney last January. While half the crew split to Ecuador to realise dreams of giant Sloths 6 of us headed down to Huntingdon, Cambridge to manifest for the Secret Garden Party. Arriving two weeks before, we shed blood sweat and tears to produce one of the greatest artistic accomplishments ive ever been apart of. Based on images of manga and particularly influenced by the incredibly inventively creatively colourful architecture and aesthetic of Treasure Town, the setting for Tekkonkinkreet and merged with ideas and images of cloud city from star wars our great monolithic wooden planet, a shanty oasis hovered over 15 feet in the sky and was covered in great buildings and other evidence of a great civilisation. With two great arms protruding out the planet became an entity a living breathing spirit watching over the festival, a symbol of the festivals ''do it yourself'' attitude. The whole piece was produced onsite with wood that was found nearby, all of it waste.

Amelia's Magazine.

2011-09-06T05:31:00.000-07:00

Final degree show came and went in June, a highly resolved set of works were exhibited and i was happy with the response,for the Red Gallery exhibition i ditched most of my final project work and curated an all together different band of pieces picked from the last two years. Successfully weaving the pieces to create a look and atmosphere that leaned heavily on the themes of nostalgia and the Natural world. i was featured in Amelia's magazine which was a great gratification.

Notes from third year.

2011-09-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

sketchbooks from my third and final year at Kingston University.a look at some of the little scrawls scratches and scribbles that manifested from my thoughts.

Running up that hill

2011-06-28T14:40:00.000-07:00

i was recently feauted in a new magazine onpaper,

you can see you full article here.
http://www.onpapermagazine.com/post/6448263744/running-up-that-hill

me you and isolation.

2011-06-06T03:35:00.000-07:00

Anti Whaling poster

2011-06-06T03:32:00.000-07:00

A poster design to raise awareness and question the illegal practices of the Japanese government and fishing industry in its relentless purge of whales and dolphins from our oceans

sketchy book pages

2010-04-22T02:07:00.000-07:00

my 'sket' book

Jessie and Gertrude go to the moon

2010-04-11T03:02:00.001-07:00

ve just finished illustrating a story my sweet ol papa used to tell us a kids, its about his two mad eccentric aunties and their day out on the moon. this is my favourite spread

with a view on my world.

2010-03-31T05:42:00.000-07:00