Wednesday, 30 April 2008

Exhibition "O Jardim"

Exposição de pintura, fotografia e desenho
inspirada pelo jardim botânico da universidade de lisboa
Inauguração: 7 de maio, das 18h às 23h


sala do veado
museu nacional de história natural
rua da escola politécnica, 58
1250-102 lisboa

3ª a 6ª feira: 10h-17h / fim de semana: 11h-18h
encerrada à 2ª feira e feriados
patente até o dia 31 de Maio, 2008

metro: rato
autocarros: 758, 773
http://flourishingart.blogspot.com/

Introduction to new exhibition "O Jardim" 2008

In 2003 I graduated from Central Saint Martin’s college of Art and Design in London, having studied Fine Art. Before this I studied Art and Design at Croydon College, specialising in textile designs.
My art work has been influenced greatly in my previous working life as a health professional. My studies in textile design fuelled my fascination and experimentation with mixed media. The manipulation of materials to create unusual effects continues to surprise and inspire me. In the process of mixing techniques and media in drawing, painting and collage the art work for this exhibition has mostly transformed into abstraction, though always referenced from life.
In this exhibition I return to my interest in organic forms, often with familiar, subliminal references that interconnect to earlier studies of bacteria and viruses under the microscope.
In the Botanical Gardens I have been drawn to the obscure, the discarded, the hanging roots that though half dead are alive. The paintings depict this with transformations in colour and movement. I have referred to photographic images of cut, dying tree trunks, remains of cut plants exposing unusual patterns, and the root formations that are especially familiar in the Lisbon Botanical Gardens.
Once the paintings begin, they develop by themselves and the original reference is often lost in the process. Some paintings begin decoratively, using parts of the flora – seeds, roots, grasses – that are collaged onto the canvas, while others gesture shapes and pattern. I rarely use a paintbrush and often begin an idea drawing in glue with a syringe; many of the paintings are determined by moving poured paint and glue, manipulated with my fingers.
There remains a continuing development from complex and decorative to more minimal and then back again. The references, techniques and media remain a changing source for future works.

Monday, 31 March 2008

Thursday, 28 February 2008

Abstract from botanical gardens

Painting in multimedia 122cmsx122cms canvas

migraine

sample of collaged slide collection exhibition C.S.M 2003
Pink plastic bag burnt, slashed and manipulated onto glass slide. Exhibited as an A1 Duratran in a light box

Heather Taylor

Heather Taylor graduated in Fine Art, having studied at Central Saint Martins School of Art and Design, now part of the London Institute. Her background as a Health Professional inspired much of her previous art works and exhibitions. She is currently working for a new exhibition together with three other artists inspired by the Botanical Gardens in Lisbon Portugal which will be shown in May 2008.