Alan Dearling shares a few images and words from…
A double whammy of sounds and visions at 9A Projects Studio Private View, Robinwood Mill, Lydgate, West Yorkshire.
Evocative and enfolding – Kate Atkin’s pencil drawings on paper are a magic mix of rich, complex textures conjuring up images of trees, bushes and mute objects – but unreality, mystery and imagination seep around the shapes and intricate twists too. An inter-leavening of music too – mostly instrumental was provided by maestro guitarist, Lee Southall (a founder member of Liverpool’s The Coral).
First, a few words about Kate Atkin’s work from artist-curator, Kelly Chorpening, who says:
“The results from afar are absurdly simple. Up close, obsessively intricate. They offer grace, they offer insight; an artist’s way of imagining the world anew…”
Kate Atkin said about her work and working method, “…the constant walking back and forth – a 1,000 times a day…guessing how (the drawing) will look 20 feet away.”
I found myself marvelling at the detail in Kate’s works. A very different interpretation of ‘still life’ as ‘mute objects’, brim-full of intrigue. Weird and wonderful.
Kate Atkin: https://www.kateatkin.net/
Guitarist, song-writer, Lee Southall has relatively recently relocated to the West Yorkshire moors. He performed three of his pieces. They somehow fitted like a glove with the studio setting for Kate’s MUTE OBJECTS exhibition.
Here’s what was said about Lee in advance of the show: “Lee’s already enjoyed a career that spans seven albums; a Mercury Prize nomination and a Music Producers Guild album of the year. His solo work hinges on finely crafted songwriting and virtuoso acoustic ability. Folk, pop, blues and country thread their way through songs that move from the melodic intricacy of Bert Jansch or Davey Graham, through to the raw sparseness of Karen Dalton or Townes Van Zandt. Lee has recently supported the likes of Blue Rose Code, Ryley Walker and Laura Marling at venues across the North.”
Lee ended his performance with a beautifully rendered version of his instrumental piece:
‘Iron in the Fire’ solo promo for ‘Shindig’ zine: https://www.shindig-magazine.com/?p=1614
‘Under the Weather’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMNfRLbm0wM
Check it out MUTE OBJECTS at 9A Projects on Facebook and https://www.9aprojects.com
