Down Hidden Tracks 13th September - 26th September

Hello there!

This blog is devoted to my forthcoming exhibition at Fountains Abbey, which, to my amazement opens two weeks from today. Over a year ago myself and ceramicist Charlotte Morrison decided to contact the National Trust about organising a joint exhibition of our work in the beautiful Fountains Hall, on the grounds of the abbey. As two young artists only a couple of years into our careers, we both felt that a self-organised exhibition which would allow us to show our largest ever collections of work would be an excellent idea, and to use such a well known and much loved venue not only made sense but gave us plenty of inspiration for a theme. Both influenced by the landscape of Yorkshire and the dales, it didn't take us long to come up with ideas for new work. Charlotte has been exploring historical and hidden tracks and trails around the local area, and using classic map design as creative inspiration has made some beautiful new ceramic collections. I used the opportunity as an excuse to develop my work on follies, focusing on the wonderful places I had visited while growing up, like Hackfall and Studley Royal.



The Banqueting House, Studley Royal

A year later and I can't believe it's finally nearly time to install ourselves in the pretty Arkell Room of Fountains Hall. Over the year I have had the pleasure of visiting some lovely places and can't believe how my fascination with follies has grown (and how little I knew about them to begin with). I can't wait to get all the work on the walls, and to meet the (hopefully) many visitors during the two weeks of the exhibition. To try and tempt you along here are a few things you'll get to see there.

Map Cups, Charlotte Morrison

Through the woods to Fisher's Hall

Fountains to Brimham bowls, Charlotte Morrison

The Ionic Temple, Duncombe Park 

For more information on Charlotte Morrison's work visit her website. To see some more of my pictures, and to read more about me and my work, visit my site here.

Hopefully I will see you in September!

Hello!

This week I've spent the majority of my time preparing for my forthcoming exhibition at Fountain's Abbey called Down Hidden Tracks. It's a joint exhibition with ceramic artist Charlotte Morrison, with whom I have exhibited at North Yorkshire Open Studios for the past two years.
My side of the exhibition follows my work on follies and other unusual buildings around the north. I am now at the point where I'm working on my last few pieces for the exhibition. There are some subjects that I really wanted to include, so I am desperately trying to find time to work on them. One of them is Polly Peachum's Tower, which can  be seen on from the road between Leyburn and Aysgarth In Wensleydale. In fact, one of the best views is from the churchyard in the village of Wensley, where I took a few snaps a few weeks ago while helping my dad Ian Scott Massie hang his current exhibition in the church there. I used the view from the churchyard (complete with gravestones) to make this piece. The tower has it's own unusual little story, as do so many of the buildings I have been working on, read more about it here.

The exhibition will be a mixure of wall hung work (mine) and 3D ceramics (Charlotte's) and will be on display in the beautiful Fountain's Hall, a short walk from the Abbey itself, between the 13th and the 26th of September. Charlotte and I will be there everyday to welcome visitors, so please do drop by.

In other news, I shall be exhibiting next weekend at Art in the Pen in Skipton. This will be my second year, and I'm really looking forward to meeting lots of people, and checking out the other artist's pens. There are over 120 artists and makers exhibiting and selling their work, and it's only £2 to get in, so how can you resist? Art in the Pen opens with a special evening preview on Friday August 16th, and runs 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.

One last exciting snippet before I go...I am very excited to tell you that my piece 'The Temple, Allerton Castle', has been shortlisted for the New Lights Art Prize. My work, along with 49 other artists from around the north, will be on display at The Mercer gallery, Harrogate from September 20th, and I am in with a chance of winning one of the amazing list of prizes. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.....

 

That's all for now, have good weekend!
Rosie x