Sketchbook work

My recent trip to Sri Lanka (see previous post) has been a massive influence on my current uni project. Im looking at, how the arrival of the children and there joyful spirits can create a home in a once worn torn building. I was influenced massively by learning that it hadn't rained in the north of Sri Lanka for 5 months. Whilst we were there the well water level went down drastically and if they don't see rain in the next few weeks they won't see any all year. This means trips to the dirty lake to wash, bath and for the children even drink. 

A longing for Rain. 

Theses few pieces came from experimenting with mono printing and lino cuts. 

Words i wrote whilst up north....

{Shredded leaves, grooved trunks, 

make a weary bustle on the dusty streets. 

Burnt land, a sign of what once was, 

close encounters pulled from history, 

makes past very present and tears very evident.

 The temple screeches, whilst the bread van hums. 

Rural sound forms large trails.

Months of lack, when will it come. 

Rain knows no company here - it flees before the pounce.

 A longing beyond control,

 leave it to the Gods - the street side temple holds un-evident results.}

Sri Lanka

A couple of weeks ago myself and Warren got back from Sri Lanka. It was an extraordinary month, such a different experience from when i went before. We mainly visited the East coast and North with a burst of Colombo and Kandy in between. 

It was a true adventure, we felt very much part of the community there and less like tourists - we worked with a charity out there, and connected deeply with two of the guys who live in and run centres in the East and up in the North. These centres care, love, feed and teach the poorest of the poor amongst the rural communities. 

Many of the children have experienced the effects of the civil war, and through conversation we learnt alot about how the war has damaged the homes and livelihood of families. Although the war is over, there is still a great feeling of unsettlement amongst the land in the north. We drove over what once was a battlefield and the striking bareness of vast grey sand, made me think of the crimes taken place. We passed miles of land where de-mining was happening, and ruins of buildings line every street. 

Despite what has happened in Sri lanka the people we encountered were the most gentlest and welcoming. It was a joy and honour to spend time with the staff and children, we formed friendships over rice and curry and got the chance to serve them in what felt like such small ways. 

My most treasured moments were.... 

1. Having the opportunity to simply listen to the most amazing people tell stories about the country and its people. 
2. Share food with new friends
3. Watch the beautiful girls sing and dance in the lake.
4. Creating, making and playing with the children
5. Moments of worship and prayer with individuals. 

Friendship bracelet making.

Bracelet Making with the teachers (there only around 19/20 themselves!)

Butterfly colouring.

A community on the East coast.

Girls dancing amongst the fishing boats.

A community centre.

Drumming on water tanks.

Sewing hair accessories.

The centre in the North.

Bag making & decorating.

Colours of Slave Island.

Ramadan in Slave Island.

In under a week i'll be packed up and ready to return to Swansea - that still feels like a huge challenge! Sitting on my bed surrounded by paints/paper/sketchbook & a punnet of grapes, i feel like i've got a super sonic job this week to finish and hand in my uni work aswell as pack, whilst making time to say my goodbyes. 

This year has been one of the/if not best year of my life. I feel new and excited (and slightly worn out.) 

I feel proud of what i have achieved and the beautiful new friends i've made, but i also feel challenged to be bolder in what i believe and sharing my thoughts. 

This two 'homes' thing is throwing me a bit, the idea that London keeps on moving without me. I'll be gone, but i'll return - (don't let me miss anything - you know my email!)

I'll leave you with a mess of images i've taken and some of my work...

Parallel tubes

Central Saint Martins, in the sun. Silver wrapping and all

Roof Tops

Stroll around the palace

Pattern Cutting

Candle lit gig

Tea for two

Perfectly topped 'chai' latte

train/sunset 

Place of rest?

Ripples/pebbles

Richmond Park

Today, me and warren hopped on a train to Richmond Park. Its HUGE, and we got slightly lost but stumbled upon some beautifully elegant deer. 

As a little girl my favourite place to play and imagine was Isabella Plantation. Some of my favourite games and characters were created there amongst the translucent bluebells. 

I was worried i'd go back 10 years later, and it wouldn't be as big and impacting as i remember. But it didn't fail to impress, myself and warren literally walked round 'wowing!' at the colours the whole time!

'WOWING'

Blanket of Blue. 

"oooooo we're british, and we like to picnic!"

^ my favourite image of the day.

It was lovely to just walk and discover somewhere new. You should go! 

Yesterday, was the presentation of our film about the issues of dementia. It went really well, and i enjoyed working with the group. Although it was only a 2 week project i've learnt so much, and now know how to make and edit a stop motion film. 

I've discovered how peaceful central saint martins is at 8.30 am and also at 10.00pm. 

The aim of our film is to make dementia easier to understand, its an illness which is rising - but still isn't talked about all that freely. The information we found was all really complex and 'sciency', so we wanted to use metaphors and imagery to help explain it. We used a fish bowl to contain the brain (fish have short memories), we used knitting and tactile objects as research proved that engaging the senses is important to restore memories. We gathered testemonies and displayed these through the use of sock puppets we made. 

These are a few images of our recording process....

And this is our film......