This book houses over 60 pieces of original art that were entered into the Chaiya Art Awards exhibition this year at the OXO Gallery, London. Each artist searching for a way to reply to this challenging title, telling their unique visual story, making their own observations and response. As the blurb on the back of the book says:
“Don't expect answers but rather a multitude of original and provocative responses that will draw you further into the mystery of just where is God in our 21st -century world.”

If you are interested in applying for the next Chaiya Art Awards competition, they will be announcing the theme  in Easter 2019 and then the competition exhibition will be held Easter 2020. Please sign up to their website if you want to be kept informed.

This blog post is written as part of a blog tour, marking the official launch of this stunning art book by Ann Clifford, “Where is God in our 21st century world?”, recently published by Instant Apostle. See links to the other posts on the Chaiya Art Awards Twitter Page.
#IsGod21

A few weeks ago I shared about my diptych being one of the 40 selected from 450+ by Chaiya Art Awards for their exhibition at the OXO gallery London. The show asked the question 'Where is God in our 21st Century World' and my entry was entitled 'In the detail'. Let me share the exhibition with you.

On 28th March I dressed uncharacteristically smart (heels and all!) and travelled to London for the Press Night.  Unfortunately I forgot to make sure I got any photos of me!

These were my favourites pieces by other artists, which gives you a bit of taste of the diversity and talent in the show.

A hard back book was created as part of the exhibition which contains those selected to exhibit as well as those long listed. Which is a lovely keep sake and makes for a thought provoking read - author Ann Clifford.
“for the curious and open-minded, for people of all faiths and none. Bursting with richness and diversity, vulnerability and exploration, colour and fragility, treasure and beauty. The 60+ featured artists care about our world and the life it sustains. Their persistent probing to find meaning and understanding through what they create is hugely important to us all. Does God exist? If He is real, where is He and what does He have to offer? Be inspired and challenged by a multitude of original and provocative responses that will draw you further into the mystery of just where is God in our 21st-century world.”

I was thrilled to hear this week that my diptych 'In the detail' has been selected from 450+ submissions to be shown in the Chaiya Art Awards exhibition 29 March - 8 April 2018.
The UK’s newest theme based biennial art award has a top prize of £10,000 and this year’s awards will be held at London’s prestigious gallery@oxo located on the busy South Bank Riverside.
The exhibition theme is:

Here are the words I submitted with my piece:
"In each act of kindness, each spark of inspiration, every expression of forgiveness - God is in the detail.
In our creativity, in unexpected provision, the symmetries of nature – God is in the detail.
The smile of a stranger, giggles of a toddler, the beauty of birdsong – God is in the detail.
The design of your fingerprint, the intricacies that hold the universe in perfect balance – God is in the detail.
He is all around, in each moment, waiting for us to see him in the detail."

In my last post (part one) I shared about my preparations for my very first Cambridge Open Studio weekend – well it's been and gone, so it's now time to tell you all about the event it's self... how it looked, how it went and whether I'll do it again!

First we had to turn our home into a gallery space – this video makes it look a LOT easier than it was!

Tidying, cleaning, hanging, labelling…. and this was the result…

Many people were disappointed not to be able to come so I created a couple of videos

I was only able to do the 1st weekend and was concerned that all my effort would be in vein if no-one knew about my event, so I worked hard with advertising and it really paid off.
I actually felt it had been worth taking part in this years Cambridge Open Studios before the weekend even arrived due to all the exposure and contacts I made. I was on Cambridge 105 radio, in the Cambridge News and Cambridge Independent newspapers, in Cambridge Magazine (p129) & got to paint live at 2 COS promo events, not to mention social media!

I have also really enjoyed joining this community of artists, finding a new group of people who I can support and encourage in their artistic endeavours (even those who've been successfully doing this for decades need encouragement), it's been so easy and enjoyable to bless other artists.

As for my little weekend I had 161 visitors, took a good number of sales and have 40+ people to add to my mailing list. Particularly exciting were all the potential projects I've been invited to do or made contact with: from community arts, to ArtBNB, artist in residence and workshop opportunities, to performance art invitations.

INTERACTION
I loved inviting people into my home, talking about my work and hearing their feedback. I was excited to see all my work together, it was evident that I've developed my own style and voice for myself. Everyone commented on the vibrancy of my colours and the repeated use of circles!

Here are some of the wonderful comments in my visitors book:

• conveys a sense of total freedom and joy
• inspired, joyous, unique, exciting, an explosion of colour. So uplifting!

• I especially loved the happiness of each painting.
• So lovely to be able to feel the emotions and hope behind the pictures
• absolutely awesome work! Love it!! I feel so inspired – thank you!
• a very colour happy space, thank you for inspiring creativity!
  

I've certainly learnt a few things

1. I thought I was an organised person but I ran out of time (despite pulling an all nighter)! I didn't get titles on pictures until my Private View was over. I gave up on neatening the edges of my work and varnishing canvases and I only managed to mount 1 or 2 pieces rather than the 20+ I had hoped to make available for purchase
   
2. I ran out of change to give people on day one
3. I had a rota of helpers so that I could be down the garden in my studio some of the time and this was a life saver
4. Although I was terrified doing a radio interview it really helped me to get used to talking about my work. This aided me in knowing what to say to people during the weekend. In future I think I'll write myself a script as if preparing for an interview by way of getting my head round things again!
   
5. I did a Private View on the Friday night for invited guests which was a really good way of warming up to the weekend – a gentle but celebratory start.
6. It seems to make a difference having a bright colourful thumbnail in the guide book – many people mentioned that it had stood out to them. Also the fact that I had crochet as well as paintings made me a bit different and maybe stand out from the crowd
   
7. It was a lot of work for just one weekend and although it will be a challenge with child care we think that 2 weekends would be better.

YES I will DEFINATELY do it again. I'm utterly exhausted but it was such a rewarding experience!
I'm already thinking about doing a Christmas one!