Divine Intervention - trust and faith that all will be okay
UCA Farnham The Quad, 10th March, 12:00-2:00
We are a group of second year Fine Art students studying at UCA Farnham, presenting our exhibition Divine Intervention.
We have curated a show with the aim to generate conversation about mental health and to create an inclusive space for sharing.
We want our community to get involved and share their thoughts and feelings, whether positive or negative, as a way of release and to come together in solidarity. A community wall space will be available for anyone to share and write on! We'll also be taking any notes of thoughts people wish to be rid of and burning them after the event, as a form of rebirth and letting go! Our exhibition is also occuring in light of and celebrating the recent International Women's Day.
We have teamed up with the contemporary artist Gretel Warner to share her work, which tackles ideas on life as a woman in the digital era, and the relationship between our minds and bodies. More information on the works we are displaying can be found below.
Check out the links at the top of this page for our socials, Gretel Warner's page, resources on mental health, international women's day, and various helplines.
GRETEL WARNER
Your Body, My Body, 2020
Serenely Coexisting, 2021
Fungal Fruiting, 2021
GRETEL WARNER
Your Body, My Body, 2020 (painting on foam, 2 of a series)
Through this series Gretel explores and immortalises the physical bodies of those who chose to submit images of their bodies. Anyone over the age of 20 was invited to join in; all that was required was that those who wanted to be involved needed to share an image of their choice and a paragraph to coincide with the image. This provided Gretel with an insight into the relationship they have with their body, which ultimately informed the painting Gretel created.
The series explores the vulnerability and strength of others, with the fundamental aim of helping these individuals begin to accept (or reaffirm if they are comfortable with this already) that every body is different, but every body is entitled to be loved and celebrated, regardless of shape, size, colour or age. This is something Gretel struggles to accept herself, so this series is also self-soothing- hence ‘…My Body’.
The most significant aim in this series is to ensure that the narratives of each individual is visible in the painting. Gretel has encompassed the struggles and tribulations that (some) have confronted in their past and present lives. These traumas are present in the paintings, but in a way that does not dwell on the darkness- it celebrates it. Through creating these paintings Gretel wishes to show others that their bodies deserve to be recognised and celebrated, and ultimately worthy of being immortalised.
GRETEL WARNER
Serenely Coexisting, 2021 (painting on wood)
This painting is a multi-media creation on a (found) wooden surface. Part of a larger collection using pre-owned surfaces, as pledge to make and sell art in a more sustainable way.
The ethereal composition provides Gretel (and the viewers) a sense of escapism and encourages the viewers to think closely about the world and our relationship with it. Ideally, the viewer is provoked into questioning our impact on the natural world; asking whether or not we are doing all we can to coexist peacefully and sustainably with nature. This painting is the final product of several different paintings before it- finally taking shape and evolving into its final form (or maybe not!) Gretel works on pieces with quite a sporadic approach; working on it for no longer than 30 minutes each time. This painting was used as an outlet when Gretel had free time or needed time to unwind and relax and this is why the painting's identity was so fluid.
The painting was predominantly created from Gretel’s imagination- taking inspiration from her love of Baroque art, along with natural forms and dreams. Resulting in a fusion of escapism and natural beauty.
GRETEL WARNER
Fruiting Bodies, 2021 (painting on foam, 1 of a series)
Gretel Warner is currently exploring an interest in fungi and the relationship humans have with this magical and powerful realm. She is encompassing both physical and mental health benefits; something that she believes needs to be spoken about far more, as well as the visual relationships; exploring the figurative nature of fungi. Through this body of work Gretel celebrates the vastly varied female form alongside fungal fruit bodies, also of various shapes and sizes. This relationship is showcased through Gretel’s use of vivacious and saturated colour palettes alongside her expressive and organic marks. The project is ultimately a celebration of the human body in its most natural form, unfiltered and honest- something that she believes to be exceedingly important in today’s social media-crazed society. The aim is to celebrate but also to inspire curiosity, regarding the benefits that the fungi kingdom can offer humans and the world.