Press Information
May 2012:
International Arts
The International Art marquee, now in its third year, will showcase work from Egypt, India, Japan, Mali, Russia, Sardinia, Spain, Turkey and Uzbekistan. Ten artists, six of whom are new, will demonstrate across a number of disciplines including jewellery, stone carving, marbling, applique, carpet weaving, ceramics, calligraphy, painted miniatures and embroidery.
May 2012:
Printmaking
Printmaking sometimes goes unnoticed as an art form, and yet we are surrounded by printed material in our homes, work places and public life. At Art in Action visitors can see a variety of printmaking techniques including etching, line cut, collagraph, woodblock and chine colle.
May 2012:
Commonwealth Arts
In celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Art in Action has dedicated a section to Commonwealth artists. Hailing from Australia, Canada, Cyprus, India, Malta, New Zealand, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe, the artists will demonstrate sculpture, calligraphy, painting, printmaking, stone carving, ceramics, charcoal drawing and textile art.
April 2012:
April Press Release
Art in Action will open its doors for the 34th time this July. As one of the longest running festivals of fine art and master craftsmanship in the UK, what makes it unique is that it invites artists to demonstrate their skills and techniques for the visiting public, who can get up close and ask questions as well as commission and buy work.
Art in Action covers a wide range of disciplines including painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, calligraphy, illustration, glass, metalwork, jewellery, textiles and woodwork. In 2012 we are celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with a special one---off section of Commonwealth artists including renowned calligrapher Dave Wood from Australia and Kim Myerson, a painter from South Africa who describes her style as contemporary realism.
April 2012:
Metalwork & Jewellery
Metalwork and Jewellery, at its most exceptional, is the fusion between the best that nature can offer and the finest creative powers of the skilled artist. In 2012 this section brings together artists from the United Kingdom and Europe using a wide range of techniques and materials including silver, gold, pewter, copper, precious and semi---precious gemstones amongst others. We are delighted to welcome the Contemporary British Silversmiths, a relatively new organisation, alongside the London Assay Office, one of the oldest companies in the UK and responsible since 1327 for testing the quality of gold, silver and, latterly, platinum and palladium articles.
April 2012:
Painting
The artists in the Painting marquee this year use a wide variety of styles and techniques and visitors can see work in oil, watercolour, pastels, acrylics, egg tempera, gouache, charcoal, pencil, pen and ink. Their work includes still life, portraits, abstract, icons and narrative styles covering a wide variety of subjects. Organiser Belinda Courtney says "Watching fine artists at work is quite magical. Seeing what starts as a blank space be it canvas, paper, gesso panel or even wet plaster soon begin to come alive and tell a story with just the touch of a brush, the sweep of a palette knife or the stroke of a pastel or twig is truly fascinating. A simple change of colour can affect the whole mood of the work, a slight adjustment of an angle, the length of a stroke, the intensity of light and dark --- how does the artist know just what to do? To see what an artist sees and how they interpret what is in front of them or the concept in their mind is a very special moment. At Art in Action you are offered a glimpse into another world and you can watch from conception to completion a work of art come to life."
April 2012:
Sculpture
The Sculpture section at Art in Action this year will be taking as its theme, monument, memorial and garden sculpture. A group of sculptors and stone carvers will show the process of designing and creating a work that can focus the memory on a particular person or event. Organiser Joanna Migdal explains “we hope to share the sensitivity and creative skills that go into producing a lasting tribute.”
April 2012:
Nature In Art
Nature in Art is the world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to fine, decorative and applied art inspired by nature. Based in Gloucestershire Its growing collection is housed in a fine Georgian mansion dating from the mid 1700’s.They have a vibrant programme of temporary exhibitions supported by an unrivalled programme of artists in residence. Each year Nature in Art selects a number of artists to demonstrate at Art in Action in their own section. International in scope, appeal and stature, Nature in Art is a must for all those interested in world-class art, nature and heritage.
March 2012:
One Oak
2012 sees the culmination of the One Oak Project at Art in Action. An oak tree was felled on the Blenheim Estate in January 2010, and the wood from this single tree has been distributed to artists and craftsmen over the last two years in order to show the diverse uses to which the wood can be put, whether it is fine furniture, charcoal, blocks for wood block prints, firewood, boats, buildings or musical instruments! At the same time an extensive scientific study has been made of this tree, and its impact on the environment during its lifetime. Artists have painted, photographed and been inspired to write music about this tree - and all this work will come together at Waterperry in July of this year.
March 2012:
Textiles
The textile artists at Art in Action always demonstrate an incredibly wide range of styles and techniques and in 2012 there will be weaving, hand stitching, machine stitching, millinery, felting, batik and collage. To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee organiser Kate Wells has given the artists the theme of ‘dedication’ to reflect upon, she explains “dedication is inevitable to master a skill, craft or to convey a lifelong purpose, just as the Queen has dedicated her life to service for this country and commonwealth.”
March 2012:
Calligraphy & Illustration
Calligraphy and Illustration sit side by side at Art in Action, complimenting and enhancing each other. Jacqueline Sinclair who curates the section explains what visitors can look forward to “this year in Calligraphy and Illustration we are offering an exciting variety of artists including two new illustrators and two letter artists who are old favourites but haven’t demonstrated for several years. I’ve asked the demonstrators to reflect on ideas relating to the Diamond Jubilee. Of course this could take many different forms, and I’m fascinated to see what arises from it.”
March 2012:
Ceramics
There are 28 artists in the Ceramics section this year, the largest ceramic exhibit in the history of Art in Action with 12 artists new to the event. Curator Sherry Moran often gives the artists a theme to work with, and in this Olympic year it is balance. She explains “balance seems to be at the heart of both sport and art. Physical balance and balance from within. Ceramics starts from simple beginnings. Step by step a work builds. A particular style and technique emerges. Choices are made, with each choice affecting the whole. It is a careful process, sometimes a mysterious process. Some call it instinct. Some inspiration. It is a delicate interdependency of the elements and aesthetics. Chances are taken knowing that at any moment the work can be ruined. Boundaries are pushed to go beyond the last work, to develop the technique and create something new. And once complete the piece looks so perfect, so measured, so balanced.”
March 2012:
Glass
The Glass section at Art in Action is hugely popular with visitors, especially the glassblowing demonstrations that happen regularly throughout each day. Nineteen artists will demonstrate in 2012, exhibiting a wide range of glass making skills including glassblowing, lamp working, making glass beads, glass jewellery, stained glass, engraving, pate-de-verre, and architectural glass. Organiser Stephen Prendergast explains “Glass art in the UK is on the up. The range, quality and creativity is just amazing. At Art in Action you get a sort of snap shot of what's happening in glass art in the UK today, and it's top notch.”
January 2012:
January Press Release
Art in Action is celebrating the Diamond Jubilee with a marquee showcasing
artists from Commonwealth countries. There will also be artists across all the
sections using the Jubilee as a theme in their demonstrations. Expect plenty
of diamonds in the Jewellery marquee!