SPACE by Grace Aza-Selinger

This blog is about an inspiring exhibition currently on at The Vibe Gallery, Bermondsey. It is the first solo show by  London-based artist Grace Aza-Selinger, whom I met through the Katerina Seda project at The Tate Modern, From Morning Till Night (check out my blog http://lisamart.blogspot.com/2011/09/from-morning-till-night.html)

 Grace’s work in this show has focused on nature and our need to re-evaluate our relationship with the world around us. In her artist statement Grace notes "As a young girl running through the forest of Windsor Great Park I was struck by the vastness of it and by the sense of being able to get lost in it. That sensation still sticks with me today and has been triggered by many similarly awe-inspiring moments in nature or replications of it."

The work in the exhibition has been inspired by a recent visit to Berlin and Walks through Windsor Great Park. Grace has really captured the movement of the trees, the wind rushing through them, the calmness of the open space and the fluttering glow of light and reflections across a still lake. The mixed media paintings, installations, found objects and photographs provide the viewer with a glorious woodland stroll through the artists eyes.

 

 The lovely Grace at Friday night's private view

 "Grunewald Forest Scene 2" Mixed media on canvas

 "Grunewald Forest Scene 6" Mixed Media on canvas

 Installation view of found objects and works

The Vibe Gallery is a relatively new space, and as the photo above illustrates has an amazing vast space of 1,800 square feet of floor space for site specific installations. If you want to find out more about this space and the range of events, exhibitions, performance etc have a look on the Vibe Gallery website http://www.vibeplace.com/

 "Through the Forest Glass" Mixed media on canvas

 "Bark Specimens" found objects on canvas

 As an artist I always enjoy looking through other artists sketchbooks. This provides an insight into the artists thoughts, process, what has worked and what didn't. Graces books are filled with writings, sketches, washes that capture moments and colours and collages found objects.

 Sitting figured charcoal sketch

 "Avenue of Trees" Charcoal on Paper, was one of my favourite pieces in the exhibition, love the delicate mark making - just beautiful.

 "I found You" and "Love this earth as a newborn loves its mothers heart-beat" Charcoal on Paper

 

 Grace discusses our current disconnection and alienation that can be felt living in a bustling city - "In this buzzing city it is all too easy to forget to take time apart, to find an inner balance. I feel that this is a problem of the modern-day lifestyle; we reserve these important times for that two week holiday, or that rare Sunday we find ourselves with noting to do."

In the piece above "Tree of Live" viewers were invited to share their memorable experiences in nature by cutting out a leaf from paper from the resources provided and hanging these on the tree after writing your memory on it.

 "Grunewald Forest Scene 4", mixed media on canvas

 "Grunewald Forest Scene 5" Mixed media on canvas

 "Grunewald Forest Scene 3" Mixed media on canvas

"Grunewald Forest Scene 1" Mixed Media on canvas

I am sure that you will agree with me, Grace's exhibition is stunning, but these pictures do not do any of the fantastic pieces justice. So get down to The Vibe Gallery and have a look for yourself, Grace's show will be on until the 15th February 2012.
To find out more about Grace's work have a look on her website www.graceaza-selinger.com.