Janis Donovan-Works of Art

Personal Statement

PERSONAL STATEMENT

Initially my work expressed connections between organic or transient states with nature and Mankind’s own involvement. The intention was to pause and reflect and embrace every day issues that are so often forgotten in the current of everyday life. This is reflected within a body of work produced between 2009 -2010. Its emphasis lies mainly within the subject relating to or has connection with the subject matter: water.

My recent work from 2011continues to embrace and reflect everyday issues. It has associations with nostalgia and objects that have reference to time and place; my textile art also gives reference to identity and childhood and adult memories alike. My intension is to make connections between past experiences and memories by taking an object associated with the past, and by using relevant materials and incorporating the processes of knit, stitch, print and weave, I express connections between an object being both functional and supportive. It is by using relevant materials I can express the tension, comfort or association with both the object and the memory.

This process allows me to develop the creative response into three-dimensional art. I use this with my creative skills and knowledge in both Art and Textile related work. This does not restrict me to a particular material or medium, instead it opens up new possibilities and ventures whilst still keeping the thought process in tact.

Thursday, 5 April 2012

FORGIVENESS

Finally on the Saturday I completed 300 balls. It was harder than I imagined,and on occassions seemed endless, almost unachievable.It was those that sponsored me and who undrstood the task ahead that kept me going. If everyone pays up including Gift Aid the total amount will be £606.68

It is a small amount in comparison to what is need to build the Adoley Centre but every penny is a step closer to its completion and in serving it's community.

Sunday, 4 March 2012

New Life- Exhibition

Currently working towards knitting 300 small wire balls as part of a piece of art work which will be exhibited at Chepstow Baptist Church over Easter from Mon 2 to Sat 7 April, 2012. Each wire ball is hand made using four small knitting needles and takes 30 minutes to create. Part of this project is aimed at raising money for the Adoley Centre. Watch this space : www.janisdonovan.blogspot.com

Intrigued?

Thursday, 23 June 2011

PROPOSAL The Bath Abbey commision

On the 20th June 2011 I put forward my proposal for the Bath Abbey
commission. The first process was passing Creative Arts at Bath Spa University. Sadly I have not been selected.
But the saying goes If at first you don't succeed.....................
I thought I would share my thoughts.

Monday, 20 June 2011

DRAWN 11GETHER EXHIBITION APRIL 2011

www.bathartistsstudios.co.uk

DRAWN 11GETHER EXHIBITION APRIL 2011

Exhibition curated by Janis Warwick- Donovan.

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NEW LIFE- ART EXHIBITION 2012

At Chepstow Baptist Church we are exploring the theme of ' New Life 'and holding an Art Exhibition in our Chapel that show views on what 'New Life' means to local people, from every perspective (faith-based or secular), & in all sorts of styles and mediums and including work from both professionals & amateurs.

The 'New Life' Exhibition starts on Monday 2 April to Saturday 7 April, 2012, from 12 noon -9pm.

There is also an opportunity for all ages & abilities to explore the theme of 'New Life' using a wide range of materials, from Wednesday 4 to Saturday 7 April, from 4-9pm beside the Exhibition to create, play and explore.

Sales are arranged directly with the Artist and that 10% of any sale is donated to our Adoley Center Appeal (a medical center in Ghana we support).

www.adoleycentre.org

Janis Warwick-Donovan

Contact details

Email janisdonovan@btinternet.com

PROPOSAL FOR THE BATH ABBEY Commission

BRIEF-

A hanging / Instillation within the center Isle of the Abbey, that will be hung from load bearing points in the ceiling arch way.

It must mark the transition of the year, this being Advent, and ideally contemporary with the idea of bringing to a new audience.

To be installed during November, ready for Advent.

Thoughts that have influenced my proposal

I have found that Advent to be an unfolding of Gods plans which leads us towards the birth of Jesus. It is a pathway to a profound mystery where God becomes a human being. For some it is a story, for others part of gods plan connecting us to a pathway where by faith and trust lead us.

I have chosen to represent these thoughts into a Three Dimensional Object suspended from the Abbey Arch within the center Isle. It is a Stile.

The stile represents a point of a walk or journey, both on foot and also in life, where we decide to carry on, sometimes not knowing what is ahead, yet in faith we continue.

For some the pathway is difficult and presents many hurdles, for others it’s a walk with God in faith and in trust.

DRAWINGS opposite have been taken from my journal.

The design and materials I shall use will give a contemporary look.

I have chosen materials that have contrasts in textual surfaces. The Bark cloth reflects my thoughts on our environment and human interaction where as the Silk Dupion and the copper wire reflect on the glory of God.

Because the stile is three dimensional, depending on where you are seated or stood you will see a different aspect.

The idea is that as you move from the front to the back there is a transition of pattern and materials.

The Back Reflects the Glory of God therefore I have chosen to use Silk Dupion, Bark cloth and coloured wire. This surface consists of pleated elongated sections that have pockets where different coloured wire is placed in side. The prominent wire is Copper. Each wire section is machine knitted.

Exhibition 2010

THE SECRET GARDEN Exhibition May 2010. Part of our study during 2010 involved a professional practice Module that gave us the opportunity not only to exhibit our work in a gallery space, but also to organize as a small group from conception to completion, an Art Exhibition atWalcot Chapel Gallery situated in Bath, England.
The whole process has been an interesting and also challenging one.

The Artists Exhibiting including myself
Janis Warwick-Donovan
Edward Taylor
Kate Ward
Freya Closs
Susan Hill
Lexy Chapman
Jenni Joule
Lucinder Mettle

Lindors Country House Hotel

Stroud International Textile Festival 2010

At this stage my thoughts are of the earth and roots in the ground and I am beginning to express this into three dimensional samples.

I start to connect the significance between the museum and the environment.

How important the Museum is in remembering the past and being able to feel connected to our past.

My own personal experience of life is that it is important to have a sense of belonging.Without a sense of belonging or a connection to the past there can be an empty void.

Essentially we are all rooted in history.

Since the tree represents life and that when you cut a tree trunk you can tell it's age and also its own history. I thought of the history of the museum and everything displayed in it. I contemplated on all the different things and I began to think of the tree chopped for our benefit and of the museum artifacts on display.

I began to see it as connections. As bits of history. I felt the wood represented bits of history.

The idea of memories crossed my mind and I began to think of the wonderful times had at my brother David's house.

A while back on my visit to my brother, in Pettswood in Kent, Jacqueline his wife gave me a beautiful piece of silver birch.

It struck me to use this wood.

The connection between Memory and the memories associated with items displayed in the museum resulted in me using this beautiful wood.

Janis Donovan-Works of Art

Personal Statement

Thursday, 5 April 2012

FORGIVENESS

Sunday, 4 March 2012

New Life- Exhibition

Thursday, 23 June 2011

PROPOSAL The Bath Abbey commision

Monday, 20 June 2011

DRAWN 11GETHER EXHIBITION APRIL 2011

DRAWN 11GETHER EXHIBITION APRIL 2011

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