PORTFOLIO - DAY 3, Artists Challenge

Day 3 of 5 day challenge to show three images of work a day brings three images taken from my Farm World project, this installation is a work in progress and its first incarnation was shown at Crescent Arts in Scarborough as part of my studio residency. Farm World concerns itself with the state of current farming practices. 
The first of today's 3 images is  'A Poultry Life', this is a mixed media Ceramic and metal work looking at the mass production of chickens, it subverts the historical ceramic Hen egg holder, de-beaking and then malforming the ceramic casts made from traditional moulds, the Hens are then re-presenting on metal shelves referencing a cross between supermarket shelves and battery cages.

Karen Thompson - A Poultry Life (Farm World).

Image 2 is 'The GM Reaper', this is my take on a contemporary grim reaper inspired by a set of children's toy farmers made from plastic. This piece is commenting on Genetically Modified crops and the potential hazardous outcome they may have. The reference to plastic suggesting how we are becoming more and more influenced by the artificial.

Karen Thompson - The GM Reaper (Farm World), Ceramic. Photo: David Chalmers.

The final image today is a preliminary drawing for a piece I have yet still to make in ceramic. It's called 'The Human Milk Cow' and is a response to the news that Chinese scientists have genetically modified cows to produce human milk to feed to infants. I've taken my inspiration for this piece from Staffordshire pottery as I see this era of pottery as very much a form of documenting social history. 

Karen Thompson - The Human Milk Cow (Farm World).

More images can be found for Farm World at my website http://www.karent.co.uk/farmworld.html

PORTFOLIO - The GM Reaper

Karen Thompson, The GM Reaper. Ceramic (56x58x30cm) Photo: David Chalmers

Just been sent the photos from David Chalmers of yesterday's photo shoot. I'm very happy with this pic of the GM Reaper. I've struggled to get a good photograph of this piece... I guess that's why it's a good idea to pay a professional studio photographer to take images...

WORK IN PROGRESS - Farm World

With the recent horse meat scandal amongst other things, I find my attentions recently brought back to my Farm World project. I still have to realise my drawing for 'The Human Milk Cow' in ceramic, this piece was inspired by the above news story of Chinese Scientists genetically modifying cows to produce human milk. I'm also starting work on a couple of ideas I have for a brand new piece, this time focusing on pigs.   

The Human Milk Cow, Drawing by Karen Thompson

PRESS - Dig Yorkshire Review

A great review of Farm World on the Dig Yorkshire website. They've also highlighted the exhibition! Thanks guys....

http://www.digyorkshire.com/HighlightDetails.aspx?Article=1477 

Dig Yorkshire Highlights Review.

PRESS - Scarborough News Coverage

Ah... my favourite obsession, Scarborough Evening news - or as it's known now after the changes Scarborough News. My second appearance now... woo - I've made page 70 this time! I'm still a bit disappointed that it's become a weekly paper so the headlines no longer come out daily... I've collected the headlines on & off since I got to Scarborough and now have a great collection of non-headline news. I'll do a project with them at some point...

EXHIBITION - Farm World, a few snaps...

I've uploaded a few snaps of the Farm World exhibition. I'm hoping to get some professional photographs taken soon... in the meantime these will do...

Karen Thompson: Farm World Exhibition 2012.

Karen Thompson: Farm World Exhibition 2012

Karen Thompson: A Poultry Life - Ceramic & Metal(Farm World).

Karen Thompson: A Poultry Life (detail) - Ceramic & Metal (Farm World).

Karen Thompson: The GM Reaper - Ceramic (Farm World).

Karen Thompson: The Human Milk Cow - Ink & Watercolour (Farm World).

Karen Thompson: Earth to Earth - Photographic print (Farm World).

EXHIBITION - Farm World P.V. Photos

A couple of pics from the Private View for Farm World... Was so busy chatting to people throughout the night I only managed to grab a couple of quick opportunities when there was a lull to take some snaps... was a busy night... and the bar proved popular! Thanks to everyone who came down.

8th June 2012 - Farm World P.V.

Farm World P.V.

Farm World P.V.

FARM WORLD - Just Giving Page

 
I've set up a JustGiving page for my Farm World exhibition so people can make donations... I also have a collection tin in the Gallery which has received £10 worth of donations so far! Great, please contribute to a very worthy cause!

Text donation: text code KTFW55 followed by amount £? to 70070

http://www.justgiving.com/FarmWorld

WORK IN PROGRESS - Glazing The GM Reaper

The GM Reaper covered in transparent glaze - ready for the kiln.

I have been trying not to give too much away about the work for Farm World... I liked this photo though and I thought it doesn't really resemble the way the finished piece looks... I glazed this piece out in the courtyard with a commercial transparent glaze sprayed on with a compressor (first time I've used the compressor in a year and a half... should use it more often!).

UPCOMING - Farm World Exhibition Preview

The Private View is this Friday the 8th June... 7.00pm - 9.30pm.
If you're in the area pop in and check out the exhibition, have a glass of wine and say hello. (Crescent Arts, The Crescent, Scarborough, YO11 2PW - below the Art Gallery).

WORK IN PROGRESS - A delivery from the farm

Straw Bales.

Took delivery of a few straw bales today... the gallery certainly smells quite authentic now! Didn't help with the smell that some of the bales arrived in a trailer during pouring rain. Also got the dilapidated metal shelves sorted today, they're in the gallery now too... Thanks to Jade & Carl for all their help.

WORK IN PROGRESS - The countdown has begun

GM Reaper legs - Work in progress.

Just under two weeks until the Farm World (work in progress) exhibition now... have a couple of GM Reapers assembled and painted with underglazes (gone for the underglaze with transparent glaze option over coloured glaze with on-glaze enamels), should be able to get them in the kiln this week. I'm currently focusing my attentions on "A Poultry Life", don't want to give too much away about this piece yet... except to say that I'm currently on a slip casting spree!

WORK IN PROGRESS - A mouldy old time

The moulds that make up the GM Reaper.

At last I have all the moulds ready & dried for the various sections of the GM Reaper. I'm busy rapidly pressmoulding a few copies at the moment. I'm a bit behind to be honest and it's going to be a push to get them dried, bisqued, glazed and on-glaze enameled in time! Fingers crossed nothing goes wrong! I only need one but am making a few to choose from....

WORK IN PROGRESS - One mans junk...

Dilapidated metal shelves...

...have so much potential.

Have been on the lookout for dilapidated metal cages for a while... then a friend called me as they walked past a scrap van parked at the end of the street with these on! I dutifully raced out to have a look and could see SO much potential for the chicken project. It's difficult working to a tight budget but in some ways it adds to the creativity of the work... I originally had a slightly different vision but I like the direction these could take me.

WORK IN PROGRESS - Danger Farm Entrance

Lovely old battered 'Danger Farm' Sign.

Sorting through some photographs I've taken as research or inspiration for Farm World... I came across this beauty which I had forgotten about!! I can remember where abouts in the country I took this photo (top secret information), so I might approach the owners to ask if I can borrow it for the exhibition!

INSPIRATION - Vintage metal hen moulds

Vintage metal chocolate moulds.

A friend sent me a link to these chocolate moulds which are currently for sale on ETSY. I love them! They are so sinister and make a statement in their own right. They would be ideal for Farm World... little caged chickens. 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/90577602/vintage-metal-chocolate-mold-4-antique

WORK IN PROGRESS - Chicken acquisition II

Ceramic chicken egg holder

I've just bought this beauty in an antiques shop for £1 - I couldn't believe the price! I'm currently scouring charity shops and ebay for different varieties of these vintage classics. I've not come across this style one before, the eggs on the base are such a bonus! Can't wait to make a cast of it and get producing and subverting my own copies for Farm World.

INSPIRATION - Staffordshire Cow Head

Staffordshire pottery - Cheese plate & cover, 19th Century

What a beauty! I love this piece... I shall definitely be drawing some influence from it when I come to create my Staffordshire style cow for Farm World.

WORK IN PROGRESS - Farm World

Work in progress - The GM Reaper

Focusing my attentions back onto FARM WORLD, this is my next exhibition and will have three main components. I'm currently working on THE GM REAPER. This is a new way of working for me, usually I build up my models but here I have started with a large block of clay and am carving into it... I intend to press mould the finished piece so lots of stages still to go.