Work Experience students reflect on Passing Through exhibition

This week we had some work experience students join us in the gallery who have explored our current exhibition, Passing Through, and have written some reflective responses to the pieces in the show.

Jake Lockett-Girouard

“The Passing Through exhibition currently at Studio KIND combines traditional photography, painting and paper art with materials and elements such as copper, pottery and clay, textiles and cardboard.

The copper pieces appear moulded and intentionally crafted, appearing to shift and change with the light. The clay pieces form patterns and textures, with intricate and subtle structure drawing you in to each individual square, some having shapes and lines carved in the clay, and some with small rocks and pebbles, perhaps from different beaches across the shoreline. Some bear textures of their own, sandlike and rough. Then you see the full structure, like a patchwork blanket of pottery. The smaller textile pieces hang on the wall, patterned with colour and thread. The paper works are weaved and constructed, appearing both natural and intentional.

As someone who is largely involved with both production and performance arts, having a local gallery offering work experience to young people like myself is often hard to come across, so Studio KIND is a great place to get that experience. The people are friendly and the space is unique and nice to be in. Similarly, their exhibition(s) offer an insight into both local artists, and some from further afield, which allows for enrichment in the arts as a whole. As a photographer primarily, its good to speak with other artists or consumers who may come into the gallery, as well as giving good experience interacting with members of the public who come and look around, giving me skills to carry through to a career in the future.”

Lake Townsend tells us about his favourite artwork Taw Bridge (LiDAR):

“This watercolour artwork had me struck by how real it first appeared to be and how its quiet detail slowly revealed itself. The longer I looked at it the intricate layering of the initial washes gives the piece a soft almost dreamlike foundation while the carefully placed squares rise from that softness to form the structure of the Torridge bridge. Creating a balance between fluidity and precision, the use of blue and black adds even more depth, pulling the eye into cooler calmer spaces, while the black anchors the composition giving weight, shadow and architectural strength. The contrast makes the bridge feel both delicate and solid - the overall effect is a piece that feels alive, shifting between abstraction and realism as you move across it.

This is one of my favourites purely because of how close to home it is and a personal connection I have to the bridge. The painting makes me sad but in a good way - it makes me realize my emotions and how artwork can have a deeper meaning than what is on the surface and how everyone perceives it differently. Some may see it as a bridge of cubes, some may find happiness in it, I think it has made me realize that art isn't always something that makes sense to everyone.

Art has always been a constant in my life and it has become something that helps me feel grounded and understood in a way nothing else does. It gives me space to express myself freely and it has always been the place I turn to when life feels overwhelming. Because of that I have always known that I want to do something creative in the future, whether that means making art or working somewhere that supports and celebrates it. Choosing Studio KIND for my work experience felt like the right step because it is a space that brings together artists ideas and the local community. I wanted to see what it is like to be part of that environment and to learn how an art space works from the inside. Most of all I want to learn from people who share the same passion for art and to get a clearer sense of how I can turn something I love into a future career.”