Cultivate Evolved painting

I have just finished the 100x160cm acrylic on canvas painting for the Cultivate Evolved exhibition.

Here is a preview - a detail image:

detail of Sunlight and Shadow by Julie Caves

Cultivate Evolved exhibition

Cultivate Evolved

The First Thursday January 2nd late evening opening will kick off 2014 at the newly evolved space down in the middle of Vyner Street.  Explore the work of the nine full time artists in residence who are sharing the artist-run space that is now Cultivate Evolved and see the work of this exhibition’s special guest artist: Julie Caves. This will be the 29th First Thursday opening in a row (29 months!) on the corner, it will be their first as 'Cultivate Evolved'.

The walls are now permanently divided into ten spaces, nine of which are used by the nine artists of Cultivate Evolved, the tenth space features the latest in what we hope will be an ever revolving guest artist.  “We hope the rage of guest in the tenth space will reflect the diversity of the nine residence artists of Cultivate Evolved and we look forward to you coming to explore the space, meet the group of nine Evolved artists and our special guest.”

The nine artists are:
Chris Paul Godber
Emma Harvey
Gareth Morgan
Genevieve Hatton-Brown
Jessica Ballantine
Julia Maddison
Katrine Storebo
Sean Worrall
T.B.C

Special Guest:
Julie Caves

The exhibition continues through January 15th 2014.

Cultivate Evolved is open from 11.30 - 18.00, Thursday to Sunday

(and outside of these days by appointment at short notice).

Cultivate Facebook Page

Blackhorse Lane Studio artists billboard

A 'We Made That' project billboard showing artwork by artists from Blackhorse Lane Studios: Tam Joseph, Matthew Krishanu, Julie Caves, Jonathan O'Dea, Neil Irons, Michelle Reader, Katrin Mäurich. Up now on Forest Road in London E17.

Mine is the blue and pink painting in the front.

Quantum Exhibition at Espacio Gallery

Two of ten paintings I have in the Quantum exhibition that opens tomorrow at Espacio Gallery. 

Espacio Gallery was on the Whitechapel First Thursdays walking tour so the Quantum exhibition was very busy last night!

A Review of Curiosity on Gallery, auditorium, studio...

Steven Smith has written a review of my Curiosity exhibition on his great blog.

Gallery, auditorium, studio...

An Interview with Artist Julie Caves

Read Lisa Takahashi's interview with me about my practice and the Curiosity exhibition.
On Show and Full of Curiosity: An Interview with Artist Julie Caves 

Behind Closed Doors exhibition catalogue

Behind Closed Doors exhibition catalogue

Curiosity Exhibition Press

Curiosity exhibition Press

Review of Curiosity exhibition on Let's Make Lots Of Monet blog.

a-n Interface - What's On.

The Curiosity exhibition is listed in Axis members news!

Very pleased to have been chosen by Time Out Art for a listing of my Curiosity exhibition! Where it is also getting some good reviews from the public.

Just in time for Frieze Week in London!

A Review of Curiosity on Lets Make Lots Of Monet

Issey Scott has written a review of my Curiosity exhibition on her great blog.

Let's Make Lots Of Monet

Curiosity Exhibition photos

Some snapshots of the Curiosity exhibition.

Curiosity: an art practice as a way of looking

Curiosity: an art practice as a way of looking
Julie Caves’ first major solo exhibition has taken over two years to create, with work celebrating beauty and its many juxtapositions: work and play, nature and synthesis, life and death.

Housed in the peaceful and contemplative 19th-century Crypt Gallery in Kings Cross, this group of work includes eight series of paintings, sculptural installations, an ongoing drawing series, an interactive work, and installations created specifically for the Crypt space.  The exhibition is located a 5-minutes walk from the Frieze Art Fair and is also part of the Bloomsbury Festival 15–20 October. There will be a participatory artwork called A Third Colour on the three Saturdays of the exhibition, whose participants will be documented for a book and receive a certificate that ‘they are art’ as well as artist-led tours. Special guest artist H Locke will have a large drawing installation.

Julie Caves’ work celebrates beauty and its many juxtapositions: work and play, nature and synthesis, life and death, macro and micro, Heaven and Hell. She is constantly walking the tightrope between two ideas. This is most notably seen in her large window paintings, where she has created a series of works of views through windows, either panes in view so the window is quite apparent, and in other compositions no pane is shown so the work resembles and references traditional landscape painting.  Reminiscent of Gary Hume’s enamel Door Paintings from the mid-90s, instead of confronting us with a barrier to a world beyond, Caves’ windows invite us to explore that same world, and realise it really is quite beautiful.

Other concerns within Caves’ practice intrinsically revolve around colour. Each of her large scale abstract paintings (for which she is best known) are a record of a process carried out by the artist; set rules and decisions are established to start a painting (much like the invention of a new game), and devised as a means of creating pathways into explorations of colour and texture.

Julie Caves says: “I am very interested in the push-pull of visual space and the polarities of ideas - object and ground, positive and negative, good and evil. I have always looked at both sides of the coin, seen the hare and the duck. I am very interested in the structure of the painting and my own kind of balance. Often my method of closing-up, searching for rightness and negotiating each mark results in a complexity nearly hidden in the final simplification, a subtle activation. Sometimes it is a feeling of righting a wrong, one decision at a time, heading down a path to more correctness.”

Website

Facebook

Twitter @Curiosity_Crypt

The reasons people have a painting on their wall

The reasons people have a painting on their wall:

1. They love it and love to look at it for long periods. 

2. They think it looks good in their room, makes the room look better. In extreme cases it may cover up wall imperfections.

3. It is a way to express their own taste. They wish to say something about themselves.

4. They like the subject matter. 

5. They know the artist, often a relative. 

6. It is a financial investment, they are hoping it will increase in value.

7. Artists may buy work of other artists whose technique they admire or to show solidarity with other artists.

8. Collectors may derive a personal satisfaction from discovering an artist and other psychological factors about collecting may come into play.

The reason may be a combination of these.

After getting some input over on my Facebook page I have made some adjustments.

Does this look like a good definitive list?

Behind Closed Doors exhibition

Behind Closed Doors is a group exhibition that brings together some of London’s most talented visual artists.  All artists are based at the Blackhorse Lane Studios in Walthamstow, E17. 

This is a rare opportunity to see an exhibition that brings together all the studio artists in one show.
11 – 13 October 2013 12-6pm
Private view: 11 October, 6-9pm

Artists:
Franki Austin
Julie Caves
Elizabeth de Monchaux
Francesco de Manincor
Duncan Evans
Pauline Evans
Charlotte Gerard
Jonet Harley-Peters
Denise Hickey
Charlotte Hodes
Neil Irons
Tam Joseph
Matthew Krishanu
Valerie Large
Jean Pierre Mas
Helen Maurer
Katrin Mäurich
Lucile Montague
Jonathan O'Dea
Michelle Reader
Daniels Rizzi
William Stok
Sandie Sutton
Barry Sykes

Plaster sculptures update

I have been building up more layers on the 40cm forms.
There are 10 forms in the set for a sculptural installation.
It will be one of the works in the Curiosity exhibition, installed in the Crypt Gallery.

This is where they are built up to as of today.

Art is everywhere in E17

My studio is in Walthamstow, East London.
I am also involved in art in the area.
This lovely article by Nick Cheshire of London Trends, 
Art is everywhere in E17, 
includes many things I am involved with.

You should go read it.

Article in the E-List

I have a mention and a painting in this article in The E-List
- a review of Behind Closed Doors on page 3
an exhibition on 1 – 13 October, 2013

Behind Closed Doors exhibition

Quantum Exhibition Blog

The 11 artists who have been working on the Quantum exhibition for the last year have been keeping a private working blog.
We have transferred much of it onto a public blog and are now updating it regularly so everyone can see what is happening in the run up to the show.

Quantum Exhibition Blog

Julie Caves, 100x100cm, work in progress

Plaster sculptures in progress

Plaster sculptures in progress for the Curiosity exhibition in October.

Julie Caves:

40cm plaster sculptures in progress
- Julie Caves

The latest apple drawing

Julie Caves pastel drawing

State of the Arts in East London

Thursday August 15th 2013 the exhibition celebrating the arts in Waltham Forest opens at The Mill on Coppermill Lane.

The 19 artists participating are member of the Waltham Forest Arts Club. Organised by Julie Caves and Mo Gallacio.

Helen Porter, Valeria Bateson, Linda Rowland

Waltham Forest Arts Club Summer Exhibition

Waltham Forest Arts Club was set up in 2003 to provide an arts network and meeting point for creative practitioners across the borough. Members include painters, printmakers, writers, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and craftspeople.  For their summer exhibition the visual artists in the group will be each be showing a recent artwork that together will represent the state of the arts in Waltham Forest.

“The Arts are very active in our borough and this exhibition will show the wide variety of work going on”, says Julie Caves one of the organisers.   The exhibition opens on August 15^th with an evening party to meet the artists and continues for three weeks.

August 15th to September 7th, 2013
Open Evening Thursday August 15th 6-9pm to meet the artists

At The Mill on Coppermill Lane (near St James Station)
7 – 11 Coppermill Lane
London E17 7HA

Mill opening times:
Friday and Saturday- 10 – 6pm, Tuesday to Thursday- 10 – 7pm, Sunday- 11 – 2pm

Another apple for the apple collection

Oil Pastel on paper by Julie Caves

E17 Art Trail Summer Show picture

106 artworks are hung in the E17 Art Trail Summer Show at Penny Fielding's Gallery & Interiors.
My painting is on the top left.

click for larger view

“Quantum: A journey through The Standard Model” exhibition at Espacio Gallery

For the exhibition “Quantum: A journey through The Standard Model” 12 artists have grappled with the mind-bending ideas behind modern physics with some unexpected outcomes. 
7-19 November 2013 at Espacio Gallery in East London.

The exhibition is a visual conversation between the participating artists about The Standard Model of Particle Physics through a diversity of disciplines. Using their works they raise a fundamental question posed by those who look in at this field from the outside. How do we connect with a subject, on a human level, that can at times be so alien and so far removed from common sense? 

Within the exhibition delicate prints and drawings face expressionist pieces, figurative and kinetic sculptures set off character studies of physicists, icons collide with Black Holes and to top it all, visitors are invited to have a go at a hands on "particle collider" set up in the gallery.

The artists have been working on the project for almost a year.  Catch-up with their ideas and progress at www.quantumexhibition.co.uk

A number of events will be taking place during the course of the exhibition to stimulate conversations between the public, the artists and scientists.  This includes a Private View on Thursday 7th November, artist-led tours on Saturday 9th November, a lecture by Dr David Berman, Theoretical Physicist at Queen Mary College, University of London on Thursday 14th November at 7:30pm. A catalogue detailing the works with a written contribution from Dr David Berman will also accompany this stimulating exhibition.

The exhibition will be held at Espacio Gallery, 159 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG.  Entry is free. 

"…about the standard model, the laws of the very large and the laws of the very small, it has got me thinking that perhaps we as human beings exist at a golden size where reality is at its best."- Roan Allen

Behind Closed Doors exhibition

It is still not all organised but there will be an exhibition in the Artworks Space at Blackhorse Lane Studios of the artists in the studios. 11, 12 and 13 October.

Neil Irons is selecting the show and I believe it will be called Behind Closed Doors.  The title is fitting as we will be showing what the artists are up to in their studios and because we are not having an open studio this year because of the hiatus of the E17 Art Trail.

Our near neighbours at Inky Cuttlefish may also open their studios that weekend so there will be another reason to come to Blackhorse Lane.

Waltham Forest Arts Club Summer Exhibition

Waltham Forest Arts Club Summer Exhibition

The State of the Arts in Waltham Forest

An exhibition of painting, drawing, photography, printmaking and more representing the work of the artists in Waltham Forest, East London.

August 15th to September 7th, 2013
Open Evening Thursday August 15th 6-9pm to meet the artists

At The Mill on Coppermill Lane (near St James Station)
7 – 11 Coppermill Lane
London E17 7HA

Mill opening times:
Friday and Saturday- 10 - 6pm
Tuesday to Thursday- 10 - 7pm
Sunday- 11 - 2pm

and yet More Apples

Another apple pastel drawing today.

Three Apples - Julie Caves
Conte crayon (hard pastel) on paper - 2013

More apples

I have been obsessed with apples as a still life subject for a long time.
They are my go-to object when I want to do some observational drawing or test out a new material.
I love looking at the individual apple and getting to know its shape, colour and texture, how the light reflects off of it and the shadow it casts.

Apples in conte crayon (hard pastel) - July 2013 - Julie Caves

Lisa Freeman's text about the Curiosity Exhibition

For her talent with words in addition to her talent with art a big thank you to Lisa Freeman for her great text about the Curiosity Exhibition.

Excerpt:

"Art, to Julie Caves, is all around us. There’s a fine line between a work of art and the art of nature, and she is constantly walking the tightrope between the two. This is most notably seen in her large window paintings, where she has created a series of works of views through windows, some with panes in view so the window is quite apparent, and in other compositions no pane is shown so the work resembles and references traditional landscape painting. Reminiscent of Gary Hume’s enamel Door Paintings from the mid-90s, instead of confronting us with a barrier to a world beyond, Caves’ windows invite us to explore that same world, and realise it really is quite beautiful.

Read the full text in the press release on the website.

Julie Caves artwork for the Memorabilia exhibition

I got excited about participating in the Memorabila exhibtion and for a few weeks devoted my complete time to producing work for it.

Here were the results: (click on images for larger views)

"Big Bird Brought to You by the Letter J"
50x50cm acrylic on canvas

"Remembering Pong"
24x30cm acrylic on linen

 



"Memory (fish tank)" approx 10x15x5cm acrylic on wood




Memory
One Christmas in the 1970's when I was a child in California my sister and I were given a huge dollhouse. All the furniture was made by hand to be a duplicate of our apartment (except even better because it had separate bedrooms for the sisters). My parents must have worked on it for a whole year. It was amazing. 

One item was made by a close family friend who was a painter. He made a little copy of our fish tank. We moved often as my father was always searching for greener pastures. Each time we moved we left behind our possessions to “travel light” so I have no childhood possessions anymore.

The last one to go was that little painted wood fish tank. I still had it in my late teens.

For 'Memorabilia' I wanted to re-create this personal object. I thought it would be easy as it was a simple object. But as I made each decision about the size and shape I found that I didn't really remember. The harder I thought about it the less I was sure. 

Each step in the creating process was one more unknown. So I made uncertain decisions about the size, shape, design, colours and kinds of fish and plants. I couldn't even say if the original had a cover or the water was visible on top. (I think the water was visible.) Did it have a covered back or were the plants and fish visible through from the front and rear? (Even less sure- but I think maybe it was visible.)

Before I started I was certain that I knew this object, but I came to realise I really only have a general idea of it. I have a memory of it that you can describe in words but not the specifics you need to paint a picture of it (the difference between the word ‘chair’ and a picture of a specific kind of chair). Although it feels like the picture in my mind is specific, that feeling is actually an illusion.

What I thought would be a comforting reminder of a relic of my childhood instead became a process of acceptance of the vagueness of memory. I had this toy for a long time. The fish tank was important to me so the vagueness is upsetting. It is disturbing to see how unreliable my memory is. Even important memories cannot withstand scrutiny.

I am my memories so if they are not solid what am I?
Julie Caves
July 2013


Two views of the building block set I did for Gillian Swan's project and one of it on display.
Acrylic and 24kt gold leaf on wood.

Arts Club at The North Star images

Waltham Forest Arts Club at The North Star
part of the Leytonstone Arts Trail 
July 6-14 2013

Brett Banks

Julian Beere

Julie Caves

Linda Rowland

Kathleen Gregory

Lucy Gregory

Natalie Gray