Sanctuary exhibition

Here are some photos from my recent solo exhibition "Sanctuary" at the Workshop on Elizabeth Street. Thankyou to everyone that came and checked out my work!
















Sales inquiries welcome at chayya.clancy@gmail.com, and dont forget I have an awesome little catalogue / hand made book for only $5.

Wonder what is going to happen next...

shadows of lilly pillys

Mapping a new script

Spotlighting the drawing with the projector lamp lighting, Mandy Warr took these two beautiful photographs of my finished drawing "Mapping a new Script" which was the main feauture of my latest exhibition.







This drawing has gone through many lives and layers. Four people and their silhouettes were involved to tell this story. The images here are from the finished drawing (the outcome of the process).



Up on the wall at the Workshop

Process

Process is vital to my work as an artist and human being.

In this project I wanted to map out a relationship between two people and their lines on paper. I had to this point drawn quite a few individuals and their silhouettes, but drawing two people at the same time was a challenge I hadnt yet begun to explore. It was a lot harder than I envisaged. The dynamic of artist and model changes to artist viewing the relationship between two humans and trying not to affect the natural bond whilst translating it into a visually balanced aesthetic, and obviously having to affect the dynamic somewhat. Orchestration without being contrived...

The first drawing I did was quite beautiful (see above) but didnt capture the story I wanted to tell, so I sanded it off and drew another picture over the top using different models. Conceptually I love the idea of there being layers in this drawing, a history, a movement, taking it further. The first drawing looked at the vulnerability and abandonement in relationships and the finished drawing played more with the idea of hope and potential and a solid connection between two people.

The drawing in the post "Mapping out a new Script" is the final outcome of this exploration.

my drawing manifesto

Life is a constant learning and rescripting of lines.

I think in lines. Masses of looping lines forming figures and languid speech. I am into drawing as seeing, extending an experience and finding a way through and forward.

Tracing silhouettes is a beautiful way to capture movement and the essence of a person in their motion. A way of mapping out a new script, and exploring stories between people, inner processes and their lines on paper.

I am really excited about this idea of drawing at the moment. Every drawing is a challeng, translating three dimensional bodies and movement onto a two dimensional plane. Stop motioning, being still inside motion, as the model pauses for me to trace their outline.

I have been drawing self portraits for five years. Te ones I am showing in this exhibition are from the last four months. I am interested in how inner and outer perception affects the drawings and how drawing affects perception.

Drawing myself, using a small mirror, and often while riding a tram, is an effective way of grounding and being in each experience as an experience. It allows me to feel and move through my processes. Of coordinating the hand with the eye and of creating a calm inside, the sanctuary.

Photographs just see to happen, they are not something I really plan. My camera finds itself in my hand, recording patterns and finding beauty amongst this city landscape. Process is integral to my art and life. Photos become a way of recording process in a very literal way.

Chay-Ya Clancy.
(This was the statement that I included as part of my exhibition, thought you might find it interesting to read.)

Sanctuary opening

My exhibition "Sanctuary" opened a couple of days ago. Two life sized silhouette drawings (2.4x1.5m and 2.4x3m), a grid of 161 self portraits, drawings of roses and photographs of magnolias, powerlines and dead flowers.
All the work is new and previously unseen in the public eye. Their eyes are full now. And there are crystals in mine. Dried sleep in the corner of my eyes, blurred visions in patterns. Exhibitions are hard work. Do check it out if you are in Melbourne. The work is up at the Workshop (www.theworkshop.com.au if you need directions) which is a beautiful place to hang out with an abundance of indoor plants and lovely bar staff who make great mocktails with fresh lime. Everything is for sale and happy to go home with other people.

I have made a catalogue for the exhibition. Which is really like a zine of drawings. It is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper, hand sewn with inked titles. Limited edition of 100 and signed my me. It is only $5. Let me know if you want one (chayya.clancy@gmail.com).
The opening was lovely, thankyou to everyone that came and to Kaka Bulan (Supina and Bea) for playing beautiful music. I'll let you know if I find any photos.

shadows over silhouettes

Playing with my own shadows over the top of a silhouette drawing. The interplay of drawing with white, projected light and reflected light (photography). Its pretty fun. I am really excited about the idea of animating some of these drawings with film eventually.

This is the early development of a silhouette drawing I did with Mandy (as seen in previous photos) for my current exhibition that is up at the Workshop.

The practise page, next to the good copy (you can see them together below).

This is on cheap brown card, so the paint sunk right into the paper and dulled it down (the brightness you can see here is me mucking around with the levels on the computer). I really like the two drawings together as one piece. The movement between the "practising" and "this is on really good paper" in both the model and the artist. There wasnt enough room in my exhibition to put both up so you get the extended version here.

stretching moments

This is an old photograph. I took it when I was intently looking for answers, trying to find a method to stretch these moments of clarity into an existence. They come, the moments, and then they fade when you forget to remember them.

Life is a constant remembering, and dipping into this learning. Take it in both hands, take up this challenge. Clarity is right here when you want it.