Instantloveland and in print

Highly flattered I was, to be asked to contribute to the website www.instantloveland.com . This is a dialogue forum for abstract art, examining and debating the diverse forms of art practise. I am indebted to the extremely patient editors John Bunker www.johnbunkerartist.com and Matt Dennis. As I chose to write about a visit I made many years ago, to an open studio event, (and it was very very many years ago!!) there were some extremely interesting discussions had about the subsequent changes in the art world once I submitted the first draft. Food for thought for me certainly. This was a challenging project but ultimately very rewarding. Enjoy!

 https://instantloveland.com/wp/2019/10/07/eye-opener-alexandra-harley/

Centenary show at the City Lit!!

 It gives me great pleasure to have been selected for the inaugural exhibition in the brand new City Lit gallery space. The City Lit is celebrating its centenary this year and the very fine photographer Dominic Harris made a proposal to photograph staff, ex staff and students when they are not in college. It is a fascinating insight into the other lives we lead when we are not at work. I have been very happy teaching here for quite a number of years and I have some brilliant students. Dominic asked if he could come over to my studio and as I am not that keen on having my photo taken, I kitted myself up in my chainsaw togs as a disguise. All the photos of those of us who have taken part are on a loop  screened on one wall.  'Cyttan', a small stone carved sculpture  will be on show right through until December

My photo with Cyttan in one of the display cabinets

serenaded by 'bubbles'

I am loving being back in the studio after a summer break. However, getting there when the football is on is a nightmare, as West Ham play at the Olympic Park and my studio is next door - the other side of the tracks. I spent the day pottering about, drilling holes, trying things out, painting sculpture and just taking stock, all the while serenaded by the fans in fine voice. I am all for a bit of community singing but finding myself joining in was a tad disconcerting. The repertoire includes the first verse only of oldies but goodies, 'I'm forever blowing bubbles' is every other song. Other delights include -'It must be love', 'Come on Irene/Eileen(?)' 'Runaround Sue' and 'Sweet Caroline'. I have absolutely no idea why these songs are so significant and perhaps more importantly, whether it will subliminally affect my sculpture!

 Work in progress

Summer shows

I was delighted to have 'Vinculum' selected by Greville Worthington, Chair of the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, for the Royal Society of Sculptors Summer exhibition. The show is on until 14th September at the RSS HQ, Dora House.








108, Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London, SW7 3RA

https://sculptors.org.uk/whats-on

Meanwhile my very fine chum Chris Wood, a phenomenal print maker, invited friends to exhibit in the excellent Yellow Edge Gallery in Gosport. Two of my mono prints were selected. We had a fine turn out including the mayor in all her finery. It is a great venue and I was in excellent company. Enough of all that socialising - back to the studio for a while!!

https://yellowedgegallery.com/

very bright and difficult to miss!

another fine day in the foundry

This was a perfect day to spend at the beautiful foundry that Terry has set up in Cambridgeshire. 

We built new sand boxes ably assisted by 2 dogs,

 admired cobwebs

 3 men and a box

 emptying the kiln

 firing up the crucible

 warming up

Polly checking what we are up to

 and a very fine pour - results next week!

and three come along at once !!!

Small is beautiful 

 Opens May 4th-19th at Unit 3 Projects, ASC Studios, Empson St, E3 3LT.  Gillian Brent, Jill Gibson and Sheila Vollmer are my invited sculptors. They are 3 amazing artists, the show will be terrific!

 2 small sculptures in this amazing gallery

 I am posting a small bronze to the USA

art crit

A fine time had by all ! I was in great company today in the Tate Exchange at Tate Modern discussing work. Many thanks to Claire McDermott for putting together an interesting mix of artists for a crit. Thanks too for the many people who came along throughout the afternoon and especially to my students David and Helena who brought excellent work along for the open crit. A thoroughly good day. A view of setting up this morning and 'Pirolo', a small bronze on stone is in the foreground.

unicorns in the sink and a goats bottom

This is not a change of direction for me! I was asked to clean up some small bronzes and I gave them a quick rinse to clean off some stubborn plaster mix . I had a fair bit of repair work to do on the goats rear end so I should have paid more attention at school. It is not often one has to know the anatomy of a goats bum and my school had a working farm with the infamous Buster the ram; however he certainly didnt want anyone examining his backside.

Light Space Time, a fine start to 2019 part 2

Bitan is on show now, January 2019 with www.lightspacetime.art the online art gallery
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVQLIrCLuQA
Bitan makes an appearance 5 minutes in, many thanks to the selectors!!

In the Spotlight

Alongside the amazing Terry Jones and Steve Hodgson, I am a technician at Morley College on the bronze course three times a year. The sculpture studio becomes a foundry for a week and the students create! As a result, I am able to join the technicians in an incredible show in the Morley Gallery. Many thanks to Ana Lena who has placed my sculpture Cene in the window facing Westminster Bridge Road. The photo does not do it justice. Please pop along if you can.

A very fine start to 2019

The first email of the new year announced that 'Bitan' (above) is a prize winner with the online gallery www.lightspacetime.art and will be featured on the website during January. 'Cene' (below) got a special commendation. Out of 909 international entries, I am well chuffed !! Bitan has been included in the winter exhibition at the excellent Felix and Spear Gallery, Ealing www.felixandspear.com

 https://www.lightspacetime.art/all-women-art-exhibition-january-2019/