Image of the week… I predicted a cabin nestled deep into the forest

27th June 2023

I predicted a cabin nestled deep into the forest. I dreamt of early mornings, winter fog bleaching out the trees, and a log fire welcoming me home from cold reflective walks.

Instead, I found myself with dodgy WIFI in a village with nothing but a church, an ATM and a Netto. I was a 40-minute drive from the main access to the forest. But what the reality lacked from fantasy it made up for in unforeseen ways.

“So, what IS a residency?” people often ask me.

My interpretation, is that it is an opportunity for an artist to reflect on their practice with space in a fresh environment, in the way they choose void of distraction.
There is sometimes an expectation, to create work by the end of the stay. Residencies vary- paid, unpaid, lodging usually covered, group, individuals etc.
Personally, I decided to use my time with @passageresidency to explore what a residency could be for me, and to reconnect with my creative self. Annoyingly, only to pick up the Artist’s way about a year later. Addicted to my phone I wanted to use the time to hibernate and connect, to focus and to let go.

Packed with a dummy phone, only containing maps, and messages and a bag full of cameras, and books I felt excited to conquer possible boredom, and find serenity.

After six weeks in the winter, I returned feeling like I wanted to just do residencies for the rest of my life; like leaving university, and realising you don’t have all that time in the darkroom.
More so, I wanted to return, and continue where I had found inspiration on this trip with Jan, who had become not just a patient accomplice in my project but a great friend. I saw his generous commitment to wanting @passageartresidency to grow.

As the @passageartresidency guinea pig, I am more than happy to assist him in this legacy.

 

Returning last summer, self-funded I remained indebted to Jan’s support giving me his time, energy, and invaluable camaraderie on two ideas I have for projects.

However, this time (as mentioned in another post) the region, was painted with sunlight and the days lasted forever. The new season unearthed a stunning lake simply meters from my abode. This vast man-made reservoir, is just one example of how the environment has shifted from open coal mines back to nature. The 8km round loop, becomes a haven for locals, tourists, families, naked swimmers, bathers, and many of those travelling through the region in need of a rest.
I spent much of my time at the lake, and gradually built-up ideas, I was gaining from more translated folk tales of what I wanted to create. One tale was – ‘The Walled in Virgin’ where a princess remained trapped, with the destiny of becoming a statue. Like most of the images from this series, I merged this tale with a few others, to concoct a vision of two sisters as statues (with the golden feather featuring).

After a few weeks scouting the lake, I found these two sisters, and proposed the idea to the family. Weirdly, I feel like I shared this image on Instagram but looking back, I can see it was my imagination. Like all of my work, I have so many stories attached to just one image, so perhaps the recall plays tricks on my brain.
Hopefully, I can find the funding, and a way to return to pick up where I left off; kidnapping Jan so that we can continue to read stories, and attempt to make them.

OAO x