Discovery: Reimagining Darwin’s World

Discovery: Reimagining Darwin’s World

180 years ago Charles Darwin returned from a five year voyage around the world and published ‘The Voyage of the Beagle’. For this exhibition 12 artists have made work with ideas related to science, discovery, imaginative thought and the Victorian world.

In 1831 22-year old geology graduate Charles Darwin was invited to be the resident naturalist on an expedition aboard HMS Beagle. The main purpose of the voyage was to carry out detailed hydrographic surveys (of the geology of the seabed to obtain information for maritime navigation and marine construction) around the coasts of the southern part of South America. In 1836, after five years at sea instead of the originally planned two years, the ship returned by way of Tahiti and Australia after having circumnavigated the Earth. Darwin spent most of his time on land studying nature and interacting with the locals and kept a detailed journal of the expedition that became a popular travel book of the time: ‘The Voyage of the Beagle’. The book is a mixture of a travel memoir and a detailed scientific field journal covering biology, geology, and anthropology and you can see some of Darwin’s early thinking on the subject of natural selection that he would later become best-known for.

On the 180th anniversary of the return of the Beagle to the UK, twelve contemporary artists have created an exhibition celebrating the voyage, the man, his journal and his ideas. The exhibition is taking place at the beautiful Espacio Gallery in East London, with two floors of light-filled space, 3rd – 15th May 2016.

Artists:
Graham Asker, Julie Caves, Alice Cazenave, Esperanza Gomez-Carrera, Nick Hazzard, Peter Lang, Ruth Jones, Natalie McIntyre, Jenny Price, Liz Whiteman Smith, Matt Smith, Sara Wickenden

 Lichen Twig drawing - Julie Caves 

English Oak - Julie Caves 

Oak Leaf Cluster - Julie Caves 

For many years I have been visiting a 185-acre patch of woodland and grassland with a number of ponds near my home in East London that most people call Hollow Ponds. For this project I have changed from my casual approach and instead observed like a naturalist in an attempt to understand this interesting area better. Throughout the seasons I have been seen in every part of the area with camera, easel, sketchbook, video camera, collecting boxes, or lichen charts and always with my notebook. I researched old maps and photos and talked to people about the area. I have carried out an intensive observation in a methodical manner of discovery similar to that which Darwin employed on his journey. I have created paintings and drawings that reflect the discoveries I have made during my immersion in the forest.

-Julie Caves

Facebook event page.

Read about the other artists in the exhibition on the Jackson's Art blog.

Finished paintings for Colourful Language pop-up exhibition

Photos of details of many of the small paintings I am finishing up for the 'Colourful Language' pop-up exhibition at Hoe Street Central, East London, E17 4RT.

February 17th - March 1, 2015.

Detail shot of an oil landscape finished today. Julie Caves

A small detail of today's oil painting.  Julie Caves

Detail of an oil painting finished today. Julie Caves

Colourful Language

'Colourful Language'
A 2-week pop-up gallery at Hoe Street Central in East London.

Paintings by Julie Caves that are an unabashed declaration of a love of colour.

This show will have a wide range of works for sale: still lifes, abstracts, and landscapes in oils and acrylics on canvas, wood panel and paper. Julie lives and works in Walthamstow so is really happy to be showing in her local community. This will be a chance to buy work directly from the artist at affordable prices.

When: February 17 - March 1, 2015
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday 11am – 7pm

Where: 
Hoe Street Central
137 Hoe Street, Walthamstow, E17 4RT

For updates follow on Facebook.

Oil painting by Julie Caves

Misbehaviour Exhibition Travels to London

Misbehaviour Exhibition

“Misbehaviour”, a group art exhibition curated by Katja Rosenberg, showed at CMR Gallery in Redruth, Cornwall from 8 - 29 October, 2014.  It was a large group of artists from the UK and beyond. The full catalogue is available as PDF download here.

The exhibition will now travel to London.  So if you missed it you have another chance.

The group of artists will be even larger and the exhibition will be at the gorgeous Art Pavilion in Mile End (Victoria Park, East London) for ten days - Friday 13 to Sunday 22 February, 2015.

I will be showing 6 small oil paintings on panel.

Julie Caves
Oil painting on panel, 20x25cm
'Misbehaviour: Meringue'

Resurrection: Life through Death in Midwinter

Resurrection: Life through Death in Midwinter

December 18, 2014 - January 20, 2015
Artefacto Bespoke Tattoo and Art Space
476 High Road Leytonstone, E11 3HN London

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"Traditionally in Northern European climes people would work through the spring,summer and early autumn and then retire in the dark months of winter. It was a time for celebrations, family gatherings, meetings, story telling at the fireside and artistic creation. Industry so to speak was limited to what could be done during daylight hours and at the candle or fire light...tapestries, jewelery, painting, storytelling, music, sagas, making furniture etc... People would eat what they had gathered, farmed, hunted etc.., they shared, they loved and they came together. Rather than a time concentrating on death,and on manufacturing and working, as it is in modern times of electricity and industrial revolution, winter as a time for creation. Like with the acorns and other seeds falling into the forest ground, ideas would grow and it was seen as a season in which the world regenerated. It was the season of the old wise crone, a time to remember ones ancestors in order to inform ones future. It was a time of sex and feasting. Dancing and merriment. Of re-energising. Of contemplation from which spring would burst forth...but always aware that it was in winter in which seeds would fall and burrow into the soil, animals would become with child etc. Life through death...a Resurrection in the making... Midwinter solstice is not only the darkest and longest night but is also marked by traditional cultures as the New Year, the time when the days begin to grow.A New Light within the darkness..."

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I have a small painting in the exhibition.

Julie Caves Resurrection
Oil painting on panel
2014

Then there is Art Floats

We took the art to the people!

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Art Floats
July 5th and 12th, 2014

Images from the exhibition:

As part of the Leytonstone Arts Trail 2014, Waltham Forest Arts Club, an artist-led organisation that creates community art projects and organises member exhibitions throughout the year, took an art exhibition out into the community, stopping to set up the exhibition for a short time and then moved to the next location.  This way we expanded the Arts Trail out from the centre.  

We were happy when we were loaned a milk float for the two mornings of the project.  We built the project around the float and named it ‘Art Floats’.  Unfortunately at the last minute the dairy found out their insurer had changed their mind and they had to withdraw.  With such a short time left Arts Club settled on a 7-seater and modified the display system for the artworks.  The car was decorated with balloons to go along with the original name.‘Art Floats’ was a mobile art exhibition in three locations on the two Saturdays of the Leytonstone Arts Trail, July 5th and 12th.  Starting at Hollow Ponds, across from the Alfred Hitchcock Hotel, at 10:00, it moved to St John’s Church near the tube station for 11:30 and the final setting-up of the exhibition was at 1:00 at Langthorne Park.  It was a quick-change take down of the exhibition each time with the group of artists following after the car in public transport with banners and signs saying: 'Follow us to Art Floats!'

The Zeitgeist Summer Exhibition

The Zeitgeist Summer Exhibition

Preview: 10 July, 2014 5-8pm
Exhibition Continues: 11/12 July 1-5pm
ZAP picnic: 12 July 5-7pm

Bond House Gallery
ASC Studios
Bond House
Goodwood Rd
SE14 6BL

66 artists, all members of Zeitgeist Art Projects (ZAP), are exhibiting in South London. A diverse range of artists at all stages of their careers, from students to established artists. All original works on paper have a maximum price of £100 and so also offers a fantastic opportunity to start or add to your original art collection.

Artists: Michelle Abbott, Jane Archer, Christy Avraam, Terry Barber, Molly Behagg, Helen Bermingham, Sasha Bowles, Miranda Boulton, Rebecca Byrne, Julie Caves, Nick Cheeseman, Rosalind Davis, Etienne de Villiers, John E Walter, Simon Fell, Andy Finlay, Neill Fuller, Anna Garrett, Michelle Gibson, Satdeep Grewal, Molly Hagan, Justin Hibbs, Nicky Hodge, Brigid H Jackson, Evy Jokhova, Buffy Kimm, Sandra Lane, Anna Levy, Paula MacArthur, Tyler Mallison, Claire Manning, Emily Mclennan, Milena Michalski, Marion Michell, Cait Miskelly, John Murphy-Woolford, Kate Murray-Browne, John Myers, Sarah Nabarro, Michaela Nettell, Diana Palmer, Rachel Pearcey, Sarah Praill, Morfydd Ransom-Hall, Ritva Raitsalo, Ana Ruepp, Angela Rumble, Julia Russell, Pina Santoro-Ellwood, Wendy Saunders, Louise Scillitoe-Brown, Inga Street, Louise Sunnucks, Hanna ten Doornkaat, Lex Thomas, Annabel Tilley, Dina Varpahovsky, Pandora Vaughan, Sintija Vika, Binita Walia, Jane Walker, Rachel Wilberforce, Sue Williams A’Court, Holly Wisker, Robert Worley and Carol Wyss.

Curated by Annabel Tilley & Rosalind Davis with assistance from Helen Bermingham, Anna Garrett and Lex Thomas.

Art Floats

For the Leytonstone Arts Trail this year Waltham Forest Arts Club, an artist-led organisation that creates community art projects and organises member exhibitions throughout the year, of which I am an organiser, wanted to take an art exhibition out into the community, stopping to set up the exhibition for a short time and then moving to the next location.  This way we could expand the Arts Trail out from the centre.  We were happy when we were loaned a milk float for the two mornings of the project.  We built the project around the float and named it ‘Art Floats’.  Unfortunately at the last minute the dairy found out their insurer had changed their mind and they had to withdraw.  With such a short time left Arts Club settled on a 7-seater and modified the display system for the artworks.  The car will be decorated with balloons to go along with the original name.

‘Art Floats’ is a mobile art exhibition that will be in three locations on the two Saturdays of the Leytonstone Arts Trail, July 5^th and 12th.  Starting at Hollow Ponds, across from the Alfred Hitchcock Hotel, at 10:00, moving to St John’s Church near the tube station for 11:30 with the final setting-up of the exhibition being at 1:00 at Langthorne Park.  It will be a quick-change take down of the exhibition each time with the group of artists following after the car in public transport with banners and signs saying: Follow us to Art Floats!  I keep saying “We are taking the art to the people!”

download the
Leytonstone Arts Trail 2014 Guide

The group exhibition includes artists Julie Caves, Helen Porter, Natalie Gray, Veronica Lindsay-Addy, Sue Higgins, Mo Morris, Valeria Bateson, and Olivier Tafforin.  Alongside the exhibition Nicolette Murin will be explaining the proposed new Art Lending scheme, as well as exhibiting an artwork herself. Brett Banks will be demonstrating his work on a small stone sculpture. There will be a chance to make something to add to the exhibition with the monoprinting workshop, materials provided by Jackson’s Art Supplies.

The group hopes to repeat the project next year, perhaps for the E17 Art Trail, this time as originally planned with a milk float.  If you have a milk float and would be interested in working with them please contact them at walthamforestartsclub at yahoo.co.uk

‘Leaf Shadow’ oil painting by Julie Caves

Little Free Library E17

Little Free Library
I was asked to paint one of these amazing objects.
Mine will be at Arts and Crusts Cafe
There are 12 libraries you can visit in the Little Free Library E17 Project
Read more here: Little Free Libraries in East London.
The project is launching on May 31st as part of the E17 Art Trail 2014.
The project has a Facebook Page.

My 'Homage To William Morris':

Finished little library! Julie Caves.

Here are a few snapshots of it as the painting progressed.  
(I didn't take photos of the boring priming and sanding, priming and sanding, priming and sanding bits.)

Little Free Library - in studio, ready to start work.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library door painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library door painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library painting in progress.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library palette.  Julie Caves.

Little Free Library 2 coats of mural varnish.  Julie Caves.

Between Ingurgitate and Inhale exhibition

Between Ingurgitate and Inhale

12 artists from Waltham Forest Arts Club
Illustration, photography, painting, printmaking, sculpture

E17 Art Trail Venue 150

May 30 - June 21 *extended to June 28*

Evening View Sat 31 May, 6.30-8.30pm

at Pictorem Gallery, East London

Artists:

Brett Banks

Valeria Bateson

Michael Bowles

Julie Caves

Ad Christodoulou

Kim Chang Sook

Natalie Gray

Louise Gridley

H Locke

Robert Jackson

Katja Rosenberg

Julia Spicer

Organised by Julie Caves and Katja Rosenberg

(Thank you to Helen Porter and Matt McKenzie for their assistance with brainstorming the great title.)

Espacio Gallery website

I like the exhibition snapshots that form the slideshow on the Espacio Gallery website.

Here is one of the slides showing my painting 'Planting the Seed' on the left-

'Temptation' exhibition at Espacio Gallery Nov 2012

Drawing Crowds

I have a drawing called Collection No.1 in Drawing Crowds at the Stone Space gallery in Leytonstone in East London.

3rd – 20th November 2011
An exhibition of exploratory drawings from 25 artists.

The exhibition features work from Amanda Lawson, Asa Medhurst, Asmi Kazmi, Carla Wright, Chetan Kumar, Claire Meharg,Cos Ahmet, Dan Neamu, David Farnham, David Harker, Debbie Locke, Edward Jeavons, fuad ali, Gillian Swan, Heenam Kim, Jane Rutterford, Jen Leonard, Jillian Knipe, Joanne Tidey, Julie Caves, Mary McFerran, Morgan Tipping, Nic Boin and Patricia Rozental.


            

Open Studio Dates!

The Open Studio dates for my new studio group have been announced.
We will be opening the grounds and our studios to visitors on July 11th and 12th.

The Abbey Art Centre
89 Park Road,
New Barnet,
London
EN4 9QX

The nearest tube is Cockfosters on the Picadilly line.
The nearest overground is New Barnet.
Street parking is very close.

Garageland magazine

Garageland is a fantastic London art magazine put out by Transition Gallery . I am a subscriber and have every issue. (I even have 2 of issue 6 because I wrote down the wrong issue when renewing my subscription...) It takes hours to read one because they are really full and I want to read everything. "Conceived, written and illustrated by artists" it is by turns funny, clever, irreverent, and mysterious.

Certain Trees Book exhibit

Certain Trees: the Constructed Book, Poem and Object, 1964-2008

I went to see this show yesterday at the V&A.
If only they weren't in cases and you could handle them!
But many are one page cards and objects so you see a lot from just spending time examining the cases. If you like concrete poetry, puns and word twists, or the history of artists' books and small presses you will find this exhibition interesting.

I now have books at The Bookartbookshop

The Bookartbookshop in Shoreditch, East London now carries the following titles of my books:
Have a Nice Day (In the collections of Tate Britain Special Collection, Camberwell College of Arts Library, Manchester Metropolitan Library)
Welcome To the Neighbourhood (In the collections of Tate Britain Special Collection, Camberwell College of Arts Library)
Redundant
cut it out
Some of My Parts
Regret
H On a Train (Touring for the last 2 years with the Sitting Room exhibition)
Have a Nice Day postcard set (set of 10)
Compliments Slips post card set (set of 5)