Naum Gabo at Tate St Ives 2020
Naum Gabo at Tate St Ives 2020
The Naum Gabo exhibit at Tate St Ives started in March this year and has been extended to run until this September. I went along in early March and here are my takeaway impressions and some photos of what you might expect if you have a chance to visit.
We are so lucky in Cornwall not just to have an amazing local wealth of creative and artistic talent locally, and an immense history of modern art in the area, but also to have facilities like Tate St Ives to visit ‘on a rainy day’, to stretch the mind, educate and inform us without even leaving the Duchy (County to you and me!).
When the Naum Gabo exhibition in St Ives started in early spring I went along with my (slightly short attention span and tantruming throughout the exhibit) son to take it in.
My visit was, as such, quite short and so will be the information in this blog as a result, but short turned out to be very sweet. I found this was an exhibition I could go to see, learn and enjoy immensely, because the work here is very fast to comprehend and enjoy. Even if you look at it in amazement for the sculptural skill, visual impact, mathematical precision and calculations, or, as I did, the complete surprise surrounding the manufacturing techniques available in the era, you can be impressed by the forethought and modernity of it that still makes it feel futuristic and timeless today.
His work combined geometric abstraction with a dynamic organization of form in small reliefs and constructions, monumental public sculpture and pioneering kinetic works that assimilated new materials such as nylon, wire, lucite and semi-transparent materials, glass and metal.
Two preoccupations, unique to Gabo, were his interest in representing negative space—”released from any closed volume” or mass—and time. He famously explored the former idea in his Linear Construction works (1942-1971)—used nylon filament to create voids or interior spaces as “concrete” as the elements of solid mass
Source: Tate/ Wikipedia
What I enjoyed about Naum Gabo: Constructions for Real Life.
The first extensive presentation of Naum Gabo’s sculptures, paintings, drawings and architectural designs to be held in the UK for over 30 years
Tate St Ives
I didn’t know that Naum Gabo had lived in Carbis Bay during WWII and been considered one of the St Ives Artists. This felt great to me as it drew a link for me between the location in which I now live. I have a pull towards the geometric visual style in my paintings, and the relationship of the three dimensionality in this sculptural work that resonates with the three dimensional direction I am currently taking in my own work. I could feel a connection with the sculptures and plans. I can feel the organic
I made a mental note to myself to look up: Hyperbolic parabaloid, tensegrity structure and history plastic manufacturing (although these days I’m researching more into plastics re-use)… and you might add to that Constructivism (and give that to your child to do as homework for the school holidays!).
I couldn’t believe how well some of the pieces have survived – the geometric acrylic sheet sculptures that have remained in immaculate condition are nearly 100 years old. You could be mistaken for thinking they were made in the 1970s, influenced by Star Wars or some other space odyssey, but in fact perhaps the reverse is true, perhaps films and architecture drew on the work of Naum Gabo as the innovator.
The precision of the hyperbolic paraboloids, the mathematical calculations that went into them and the precise execution of the pieces. The hyperbolic paraboloids make for beautiful sculptures which are perfectly hand tensioned, each string or wire having the same degree of tension.
For me this is a stunning exhibition, beautifully presented, amazingly well preserved and extremely educational and inspirational. If a 3 year old can lie on the floor having a tantrum because they don’t want to leave, that’s a good sign for taking older kids or the rest of your family along.
Open Studios Cornwall 2020
Open Studios Cornwall is from 29th August to 6th September 2020.
Open Studios Cornwall is a coordinated Cornwall-wide event where artists from all over Cornwall open their studios at the same time,
creating a county wide festival of art, design and craft.
More than 200 artists, designers and makers are taking part in the Open Studios, 30 of those are located at Krowji in Redruth and so if you plan to visit me in my studio there, you will be able to see an even bigger selection of the wealth of creative talent Cornwall has to offer all in one place.
I am aiming to create a gallery-level experience during this event, so whilst you might have been missing the pleasure of visiting exhibitions and galleries for contemporary art in the spring and summer this year, I will be bringing a feeling of this to you through my plans for an integration of in person, virtual (videos & documentation) and connecting with me live through a stream of me at work.
Visit Trudie Moore’s artist studio in August and September
Because we have had a little longer to prepare for the new dates of this event, I have come up with more of an experiential format for the event incorporating exhibition, private views and appointments, online (virtual) videos, a documentation experience streamed from my live residency and, of course, the usual drop-in format.
On show at my studio at Krowji, Redruth –
Gallery style exhibition, private appointments, drop-ins at the main event and a live stream to my residency.
Open studios are a brilliant way for you to see my work, my art is meant to be enjoyed by the natural eye for the greatest benefit of the colour, scale, textures, lines, edges, transparencies, surfaces. You can’t get a good enough impression of my paintings from an online image as it’s very hard to convey the experience (one of the reasons I have started doing talk-through videos on IGTV – Instagram TV, so show and describe the work). So coming to see me in person in the studio where you can come simply to chat and find out more will offer so much more.
I will be showing a selection of recent and older work, and I will have pieces for sale to take away with you.
Come and have a chat with me about my work, how I work, what my work is about, buy a painting or even give me critical analysis! I have loads to talk about, The Christmas Open Studios at Krowji delivered some really deep and insightful conversations that were enjoyed immensely on both sides.
A virtual window into the creation of my newest work – streaming from my residency 1st-4th September
I will be working from a residency in Penryn on the weekdays of Open Studios and so I am working to create an online journal/ diary of me at work on my new project. The residency commences on 1st September and runs until 12th October and so you will see me via a stream, blog, video and IGTV in the studio there between 1st to 4th September and be able to chat to me on 5th and 6th about it, and my ambitions for the future in person at Krowji (Studio 108c!).
This will be an additional experience to visiting me in Krowji as my space in Krowji is small it doesn’t allow room both for showing work in progress as well as visitors and exhibition/ viewing and so by making my big residency project available by documenting it online, not only will you be able to share in the experience of this online documentation (and I will be collecting the documentation by way of a critical aspect of my work) but you will also be able to get an insight into the future of my work, it’s direction and the ambition and scale I have for it. I will be aiming to set up a screen in my studio to show me at work at the times I’m not present at Krowji.
If you are still in Cornwall, or back in Cornwall in mid October 2020 I am hoping to hold a Private View of the new work. To be invited to this please request to sign up to my email list here.
Collect website orders from me in person
If there is a piece you would like to buy in advance of the event, you can buy it through the website and collect it at Open Studios either when I am there, or by appointment. The website has a PayPal payment gateway and takes all mainstream card payments. If there is something you wish to reserve and pay by bank transfer or cash, please get in touch with me.
Seen something you like that’s not in the shop?
If there is a piece of my work you have seen online either through my website, social media or through my old blog or old website, I can bring it to Open Studios for viewing. My back catalogue is in storage and not everything has been photographed, so if there is something you like and want to know if I have more of, I can email through images.
Like something but it’s the wrong size, colour or you have an idea for a variation or a specific place?
Likewise if you would like to discuss a commission or a project, I can compile examples for discussion and meet you to show you more! Here is some further information on Commissions and projects and an outline on what you can achieve by commissioning an artist.
Visiting Open Studios Cornwall 2020
How I will be opening my studio to visitors for Open Studios Cornwall
Because the dates for Open Studios moved back from May to August, the dates now run at the same time as my residency at Grey’s Wharf in Penryn. Here is how I will be opening up my studio:
- I will be opening physically over the two weekends of Open Studios Cornwall in my studio at Krowji and so I will be present to welcome visitors into my space.
- My space will be open when there are other artists present in my space as a gallery exhibit. I am hoping to be able to show the video/ my blog on some manner within my space and there will be contact cards to make an appointment to see me and there will be pieces hanging in the hallway to look at.
- I will be opening virtually in two ways:
- By taking bookings to meet you at Krowji for an appointment
Drop in and Visit me at Krowji on 29th & 30th August 2020
Opening hours for weekend visits: 11am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday
I will be in the studio for the normal opening on the weekend days for chats, sales and information.
Make an appointment with me for a studio visit during Open Studios 2020 on weekdays
Available Hours: 9am – 8pm Monday to Friday
I will be taking bookings to show you my studio in person during the week. If you can’t visit me on the weekends, if you are an architect or an interior designer looking to source artwork or discussion during working hours, or if you are worried that the studios will be too busy, I can offer you a quieter visit to see my work when the doors to my studio space are closed.
I will be uploading a booking system to my website soon, in the meantime, Make an appointment with me by using my website contact form here.
Protocol for visiting my studio and Krowji
My space is small and I am hoping to rent a bigger room for the duration to allow for social distancing. But whatever the space available, there will be measures in place that visitors will need to adhere to to allow for a relaxed and safe environment.
- Face masks will be a requirement to studio entry, I will be wearing a mask and I will ask that you do too
- Hand sanitisers will be provided on entry to the building, and on entry to my studio room
- As my space is small, I’ll only be able to welcome one person/ one ‘family unit’ / couple at a time
- There will be a marked trail and marked waiting areas on the floor to create a comfortable flow and good spacing
- The studios will have increased cleaning during the event and I will clean the space between visitors
Where to find my studio
Address Studio 108c, Percy Williams Building, Krowji, West Park
Town Redruth
Postcode TR15 3AJ
Directions
From A30 take main Redruth exit and follow A3047 towards Pool/Camborne.æ Pass Redruth School on left, after about 200m, turn left into West Park just before the large roundabout.æ Limited parking available on site.
Facilities: Disabled access, toilets, disabled toilets, cafe
Open Studios artist listing for Trudie Moore
Trudie Moore’s contemporary abstract paintings explore control and restraint in the painting process. These paintings have luminous fields of colour, transparencies and opacities that act as both a visual and an actual layer over one another, and which are layers upon the surface layer of the canvas. Paintings are priced from £45–2,000.
Sign up to emails to stay informed
Sign up to emails to be informed about open studios and my residency
Book an appointment for Open Studios Cornwall 2020
Please use the form below to request a private appointment between 30th August to 6th September.
Commissioning an artist
You might be asking “How do I commission an artist? I don’t know where to find one, What should I expect? How do I start?”
I’ve been undertaking commissions over 21 years, for me as the artist, it’s been simple, I chat to my client, we discuss what they like and I build a picture of what the painting is in my head that is what they want. But that’s not the scenario for the recipient as they just don’t know what they are going to get.
I don’t know where to start
Don’t worry, I do
So you might be asking the same question ‘can you do something for me? What’s it going to look like?’
There are so many ways of going about briefing an artist, or of carrying out a process for a commission. I’ve done them a few different ways:
- the client asks for something that looks like something I have already painted and we chat about that and it either sets the brief immediately – style, colours, size OR it leads into new territory for something a bit (or completely!) different
- I go to the house/ business/ location and we measure up, look at what’s already in the space (furnishings, furniture, light, space, materials and colours of objects in the room)
- I take an existing painting around to a space to see how it works in the space, we talk about the colours/ space/ visual style and elements of the painting.
Trustin the process
Be brave
There is a degree of trust and faith you need in order to take a risk. You aren’t in a shop looking at something that has already been completed and imagingin how it will look above your sofa or reception desk. You have to know and understand that the artist you’re working with has a strong sense of visual awareness and sensitivity both to you, your environment and the outcome you’re looking for.
Take a chance
This is the time to be adventurous. If you brief the painting to be safe, that’s what you will get. If something that is in the artist’s portfolio really appeals and is unique, stands out and is stronger than the rest of their work then that is the upper point of risk you might take. The more you talk the better the outcome. If you say ‘ I like that but that one is a bit adventurous, I feel like I should have this [safe] one over here, can we meet in the middle?
Perhaps you like adventurous, perhaps you need reigning in? Maybe the bold colours need to be brought into line with your interior so that they don’t clash.
There are so many variables.
You can be guided.
You can set the boundaries
You can choose the size
You can choose from a portfolio
You can guide the colour choice (if you need or wish to)
Or you can trust in the artist to create something with you in mind that is their vision.
You can commission something that you choose to have no input into
Their vision of you, or their vision of what you like. Or you can ask them simply to do something for the space that is completely of their own, that you will love, because the thing that drew you to them for a commission is an intrinsic part of what they do. You can work with their intuition and natural style. That way the piece you commission just might be the wonderful piece that makes the art collectable, valuable and unique and worth the most to you, to them and to the art world (if future investment is the thing you are after).
How would you choose to run your commission? You have the power to both choose the artist you want to work with and the power to decide if the choices I have outlined above are available from the artist you choose.
My process forcommissions
How I take commissions
Here’s a sample of one of the ways in which I do commissions, hopefully you’ll find it a calm and reassuring process, there are some formalities but I try to keep it lightweight because that’s more enjoyable for both of us.
A bespoke commission for an abstract painting in the style of my current body of work (geometric abstracts)
You will enjoy the experience of commissioning a qualified artist to create a site-specific painting in collaboration with the artist. I have been creating commissions over 21 years.
I’ll come to your site and chat about the possibilities for creating something that works specifically within that space and which can be seen as an extension of your personality or business through that environment. You might wish to come to my art studio or storage facility to view more paintings and discuss them more deeply.
I will then send you a quote and a short contract to sign to commence work, I will also ask for a deposit to be used against materials (but the full payment is upon delivery).
We might discuss points in the quote or the brief further at this point to check that what was discussed and put onto paper is still on track.
If it’s an installation, or something more three dimensional, we might draw up some visual plans or light sketches to illustrate the mechanics of the piece, but you will be aware that the way that I work is an evolution with the painting itself and this is not controlled and contained planning as such (like for a design) it’s a piece of art that has a conversation with the piece itself.
It is unlikely that I will show you the painting prior to delivery unless there are any queries.
Your painting will be created and delivered within an agreed time frame (usually 6 weeks dependant on time of year/ drying times).
I will give guidance on hanging the work but will not install the painting unless it’s painted direct-to-wall.
After delivery, I will ask to take photos and I might ask for you to send me photos after installation, or for a recommendation or social media sharing. I’ll ask you for permisison to share any photographs of your interiors or profile.
What I will create for you
You will commisison me to create:
- A fine art painting on bespoke artists gallery canvas from Harris Moore or another professional canvas supplier, of your designated size (ply or acrylic on request) or an installation painting.
- A specific piece of art that enhances and creates a feeling within your environment
- A site visit to your chosen location for the piece
- The experience of having a piece of fine art created that will be specifically for you
- All materials
- Ownership of the final piece (creative license remains with the artist)
- Installation of painting direct to walls OR delivery to location*
Who commissions work best for
This works best if you are:
- Open to enjoying the process
- Willing to place your faith in the artist to create something in their house style that has you and your space in mind
- Have a sense of adventure and ambition about your project and its place in the artist’s body of work
- Happy to work to the artist’s contract of sale
Hello world and welcome!
Welcome to my super cool new website!
It’s been years in the dreaming, weeks in the building and eventually I bit the bullet to get on with a new site to showcase my paintings and my new start in Cornwall, view on mobile, buy more easily online and see all of my key information in one place.
I’ve had a custom website built by Sallie-Ann at Hype Digital for probably 15 years and she’s been, and continues to be, a great web developer to look after my website needs.
Sallie’s capable of looking after all of your website hosting, set up, e-commerce and web design whether you use Wordpress with a template and are a savvy user or a complete website phobe, or if you need bespoke coding and database needs. (Just a little plug here as I have been with her for a long time and she’s been awesome, responsive and accommodating and I know people go to her because of her skill and friendliness).
I started a blog on the side of the website for my art interests at Blogspot (which I have kept live for now as I won’t be importing all of the posts are at the moment) and so this site means I can chat art and link al my inspirations through into my website so that you can see how what I see inspires me to practise the contemporary abstract painting style that satisfies me.
If I go to an exhibition, gallery or view then this will be written about here alongside with showing you my latest practice, new paintings, working process and the critical theory that goes into my paintings.
So for the first post, welcome and I hope you fin the site easy to look around, please let me know if you have any feedback on it that I can accommodate to improve it!
And while you’re here, why not take a look at my portfolio!
Trudie
Inspirations from Tate Modern
Inspirations from the Tate Modern, November 2015
On my day out to see Ai Weiwei’s exhibition I took the opportunity to do some further research and to look for painting inspirations in the Tate Modern. Limiting myself to the free exhibits I was interested in narrowing it down to just the Energy and Process and Making Traces rooms. I was a bit disappointed in the painting selection, but there were a few key items that took me, and one completely unexpected body of work encompassing drawing, sculpture and performance by Rebecca Horn that was a real surprise.
First of all, the paintings.
Giorgio Griffa, Segni Orizzontali, Acrylic paint on canvas, 1975
This piece was of interest to me initially because the painting isn’t attached to a canvas stretcher, it’s simply painted straight onto canvas and pinned to the wall. There is a relationship between Griffa’s use of the canvas material as a raw object to how I apply gloss paint in the more process-led paintings where it wraps around the surface sides of the painting to amplify the three dimensionality of the painting’s surface.
Cy Twombly Untitled (Bacchus), 2008
I was particularly looking forward to re-acquainting myself with the work of Cy Twombly; massive, expressive canvasses with giant gestural marks of free flowing paint. Immersively large scale and full of impact.
I’ve always enjoyed doing large canvases, they are expensive to make and quite a big gamble to undertake given the cost involved to do one but when I do it pays off, the bigger paintings always lend themselves to space and freedom well for me and I feel able to stretch out and explore the space. I never like to waste resources or money so I know if I don’t get it right I won’t be a happy bunny.
Tomma Abts, Zebe, 2010
.
Making Traces exhibit
Mark Rothko (late 1950s)
Rebecca Horn
This is what the plaque says about House of Pain and Waiting for Absence, both 2005 (having read this after seeing the pieces):
‘to look inside bodies and meditate one’s own way into them… you approach a hidden centre, maybe the solar plexus, and follow the circular motion or energy threads of breathing’.
There were some other items in the exhibit that were quite scary and intimate. A video of Rebecca in the 70s making a drawing wearing a cage of pencils on her face, a Cockatoo headpiece that had ‘wings’ to envelope/embrace a partner into a kiss (this was really voyeuristic and a bit shocking) and then also, the piece that to me was the most raw and shocking item, a sculpture called Overflowing Blood Machine, 1970. This was bloody and to me, almost torturous looking, perhaps this was what gave such an impact of all the items that perhaps the mechanics had been inspired by medieval creations and inventions.
Overflowing Blood Machine was a plinth with transparent tubes that encased a wearer. I thought this looked less like a therapeutic hospital device than one of dystopia and torture or perhaps even unnatural genetic engineering or some other sinister device. The wearer (a performance artist) is ‘tied down on top of a glass container, tubes are wrapped around his body. Blood is slowly pumped from the glass container through the plastic tubes. This garment of veins encases his body, wrapping him in a pulsating skin.’ I think this is the stuff of horror movies, see what you think from the photos!
I’m now looking forward to my next gallery visit, but first some more painting of my own!
This blog post was first published by myself 23rd Nov 2015 at http://trudiemooreabstractpaintings.blogspot.com/2015/
Neon linings
Back to school! Not the kind of BTS post that everyone else is sharing at the moment though!
I’m very excited to say that today I picked up the keys to my new studio space @krowji_ in Redruth. After putting my back catalogue paintings into storage, my artistic move to Cornwall is complete.
This is a new phase for my art career in Cornwall. The Krowji is a redeveloped Grammar school and home to around 200 other artists and creatives, I can’t wait to meet all the other tenants, see their work and businesses and get restarted.
Every cloud has
a neon lining
So here’s to the neon lining on that cloud that’s emerged after saying goodbye to @twoqueensstudio 🥂
Watch this space!
