Artist in Residence
Inspired by Heritage - Artist in Residency Project
Background:
Inspired by Heritage is a programme which forms part of an initiative to support
the development of new work by North Yorkshire artists and to build new partnerships
between the arts and heritage organisations. The programme has been developed
as part of the Art Connections project and is supported by the Esmee Fairbairn
Foundation, Harrogate Borough Council and Chrysalis Arts Development.
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal is one of six host organisations taking part
in the project. Others include Newby Hall and Gardens, Whitby Museum and Malham
Tarn.
The residency programme is designed to offer the artist the opportunity to develop
and create at least one piece of work inspired by the specific heritage site or
collection.
Work on the project will take place throughout 2009. During the residency a diary
and photographic record of the work in progress will be regularly updated on the
website.
The Artist:
Fiona Bowley
Fiona studied Fine Art in Leeds and then trained as a stone mason and carver
within the construction industry. She worked on a number of restoration programmes
on York Minster and in 1989 left to work on freelance Public Art projects.
Fiona has now worked with stone for 25 years; her own work has been inspired
by the decoration on buildings created by the medieval narrative carvers. She
enjoys exploring the stories that exist within small communities and giving them
permanence in stone.
In her time as artist in residence at Fountains she wishes to develop more abstract
forms and textures inspired by the stonework on the Abbey and the man-made landscape
of the Water Gardens.
Below are some examples of Fiona's work.
The Project:
Spring / Summer 2009
Drawing in the Water Gardens
- Make drawings to identify and explore the forms and textures that will inspire the sculpture
Design and Stone Selection
- Produce designs and working drawings for the sculpture
- Make visits to quarries to select the stone for the sculpture
- Together with the National Trust staff, choose the site for the sculpture in the g rounds of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
- There will be free public access during North Yorkshire Open Studios 2009 held over 2 weekends in June
Autumn / Winter 2009
Carving in the Studio
- The selected stone will be delivered to Fiona's studio and there the sculpture will be carved, access to visitors will be by appointment only
Spring 2010
Carving in the Gardens
- Carving on the sculpture will be completed in a temporary studio within the Water Garden
- The sculpture will be sited in its chosen location
