GARTH GRATRIX

2011-07-11T17:44:00.000-07:00

Appologies for not being on this blog for a long time.
I have had a wee bit of a nightmare with sign in/out account names deciding to change themselves.

I have because of this begun an alternative Blog to replace this (which I thought was only ever now going to act as a past archive).

Start to follow the new blog and allow yourself to have more of an open discussion about art as well as invite me to answer questions about my own work and exchange insight.
www.artgratrix.wordpress.com.

There will also be a new and complete website coming soon to help along generating awareness for the work I do.

BRUCE ZINE NEW ISSUE

2010-08-28T07:24:00.000-07:00

Not long to wait now for the next installment of BRUCE. Bigger and better than ever with more reviews, critical opinion, arts promotion and more.
This issues front cover artist is Manchester based artist David Mackintosh and with art works from many more North West based artists.

A now bi-monthly zine BRUCE has seen great success in Preston over the last 10 months, which is continuing to offer opportunity for independant artists and event to gain a level of recognition. The zine is now going regional with distribution not just in Preston anymore. New venues will include A Foundation Liverpool and Castlefield Gallery, Manchester.
We are very excited about the future of BRUCE and offer to any creative to send us imagery or articles of events and activites happening near you and or beyond.

Send these to brucezine@hotmail.co.uk and you could feature in an upcoming issue of the zine and have your work seen by an ecclectic and widespread audience.

MELA Festival

2010-07-13T08:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some images taken from my commissioned art project "Collapsing the Boundaries" as part of the arts strategy for MELA Festival 2010. With half my family being Australian and the project requiring interaction and engagement with South Asian communities I combined Native Australian compositions and art with traditional Rangoli and Mandala design.

The result was a collection of 5 large scale collapsible colour boards. Each board had designs created by each community group which I worked with. The designs were then 'filled' in and decorated with adhesive coloured dots which coat the surface of the boards.

The boards then housed a silhouette of Preston based landmarks and were folded into reclaimed vintage leather suitcases (Have Art Can Travel) in order to travel to the main festival event and unveil the communities art work.

The dots themselves were acting as geographical pin points as a celebration and enquiry as to where people originate from and travel to. Each person inevitably was pin pointing themselves in the artwork and marking their part in a bigger picture. This was complimented by the travelling nature of my 'Have Art Can Travel' project.

I was really pleased with the overall sculpture/structure as it was unique for the Festival and reached a huge and diverse culturally different groups and individuals. My oldest participant was named Fred who was 99 and an amazing sport.

Thank you to all who took part and the opportunity to create an outdoor public art piece in my place of residence.

An experiment with the previously seen

2010-03-02T10:39:00.001-08:00

"Its all been layed out ready for you", red carpet, household paints, pins, 2010

Once again I have taken previously exhibited exhibition elements and tampered further with there identity and meaning.

This red carpet formed part of a plaster cast artwork displayed in Preston, 2009.

Using the carpet in its traditional sense and gloryification as a glamourous entrance to a exhibition opening.

This carpet has now been bastardised and stained for life- as indeed a red carpet would if left long enough. Deliberate marks referencial to a Rauschengerg were flicked, dripped and smeared into the carpets weave. Slicing the carpet and altering its state alongside hanging as apposed to laying were final display considerations for the work.

Twisting and almost torturing the carpet to test its boudaries and its function.

Dorothy Returns

2010-03-02T10:06:00.000-08:00

"My My My De Liza (is she isnt she)", reclaimed shoes, red glitter, glass, 2010

This is imagery taken from my latest installation at The Space Gallery, Preston.

The piece is a reworking of previously existing artwork made for 'Antifreeze', 2009.

For 'The Space' I have placed the shoes precariously on a slither of glass bedded into the wall. With familiar narrative of the glass ceiling the shoes interact with the audience as they are forced to step underneath the work and either offer a safety net in which dorothy can jump or perhaps encouragement to help her step back from the edge.

How the world can effect our character is also apparent in this piece as discarded objects are tampered with to provide a new personna or identity. Character is also something expressed through costume and recognised in media, therefore we can associate with these shoes for what we have been previously presented.

Is she or isnt she is something invoked in this piece as we stare at the potential movement of a static object.

"rewiring the system"

2010-03-02T09:42:00.000-08:00

"Rewiring the System"- teabags, cork and laundry basket wire, 2010

These wall hung installations take into account elements of time and
process within my work. Looking at the emalgamation and construction of material
in relation to both itself and also the environment in which it is presented.
The work adorns the adjacent wall to my studio in which countless 'teabreaks'
take place.

The used bags reference the consumption of a single product within a single
day.

The fresh bags explore the relationship between old and new alongside
creating narratives concerned with inevitability of change.

The metal has been taken from laundry baskets to further make oblique
references to the home/work space and the notion of cleanliness and throw away
culture being on our doorstep.

The addition of matching saved corks suggest a cotinuation of a story as
perhaps day moves to night and aspirations change from one consumeable product
to another.

JM2010 PAINTING PRIZE SUBMISSION

2010-02-26T03:11:00.000-08:00

Full composition

"CONSTANTCHANGIMORON",2010

'A surrealist development of a sub conscious illustration. These works are created in the aftermath of an installation or scultputural experiment using reclaimed objects and household memorabillia. Taking a single brush and paynes gray I apply directly onto a surface without preconceived compositional considerations. The empty space between objects is then filled with repeated flowing contours which manouver their way around the drawing, inhabiting and creating identifiable imagery out of negative space. A token colour is included as to suggest what is constant in our society and what is ever evolving. The constants are uncontrollable aspects of the world such as a rainbow. Designs and decoration of furnishings and objects are left as outlines, as shapes and forms-as there identity and place in the world is inherently decided by the individual. This emptiness of colour is an invitation to apply ones own creative imagination to the piece allowing it to become your world, your space, your dream or reality.'

Top right detail bottom right detail

mid section detail top left detail

BRUCE issue six at Lancashire zine fair

2010-01-31T03:43:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Just to let you know - in heindz site, that matthew livesey and myself took part in Lancashire zine fair taking place at the Atrium (SU Bar at UCLan) on Friday 29th - Saturday 30th January 2009.

It was good to see many other interesting zines and art books from all over the place. With recogniseable individuals such as Emily Speed (formerly Wolstenholme Projects), and the other local publication duo in Preston, 'Preston is my Paris'. We also discovered another group aiming to highlight activity and creative influence in Preston called 'PrestON', who are a group of illustration student coming into their own in their final year.

I couldnt help notice that BRUCE was to be the only FREE ZINE at the fair which was wonderful to see so many people walking around with our books....mission accomplished.

With a little extra push you can source small funds for such things as zines...which indeed is how BRUCE comes to be free. It was also interesting to see zines predominantly (and not in any negative reference) promote the creators own works as they seem personal extensions of an artists own creative preferences. Again BRUCE is aimed at promtoing and reviewing other art and platforming new artists and new events in and around Preston.

It was a great day with lots of interesting people. For anybody who draws doodles, writes, thinks or hates or likes anything by putting it forward creatively, then get it all in a book and get yourself to a zine fair near you. It is a good way to get out and about with artists and creative professionals.

BRUCE issue six has had high demand and will have another batch printed for this months to circulate to our usual venues in Preston.

Next months issue will include more writings from around the nation inclusive of text by artist David Mackintosh (currently at the Cornerhouse) and a front cover artist Jonny Lamin.
Next month will also see the production of new BRUCE posters, so keep you eyes looking in and about Preston because it's hotting up!

Bye x

A new discovery

2010-01-21T15:26:00.000-08:00

Hi everybody,

This may be a little out of the Blu (no pun intended), but I have come across a fantastic artist creating wall murals and stop motion animation. He is a name for the future (if he isnt known by most cool people already), his name is 'Blu'.

Check out his work at www.blublu.org

I really was blown away by the interchangeability of his illustration within an animation. Very clever, very witty and very gifted.

Many of my friends will appreciate my new found like for this type of work as I predominantly never give it air time, but im impressed.

I have emailed him regarding my own drawing styl so lets await his opinion...be warned if the response is bad then you want see it on this blog, I only post good words about Garth Gratrix lol.

New Online portfolio

2010-01-20T11:10:00.000-08:00

Hello Everybody,

I have created a new online portfolio of my art work.
See where I have developed from, What I have achieved and where I am going since 2006 to the present day.

Follow the link below and have a browse.

http://garthgratrix.daportfolio.com

Take Care

-X-

'Quiet Revolution' The winning image/s

2010-01-19T08:28:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, as you can see in the images im certainly not affraid to stand in the middle of a gallery with my 'hose' hanging out.

"Dont listen to your instincts its bad for my art" & "Blowing my own trumpet" were two semi permanent pieces of 'low tech sculpture' that I sent off for the Harris Museum & Art Gallery competition.

I was assured that it was not "Blowing my own trumpet" that won the competition but its predicessor, so that means at least art more on par with my actual practice was acknowledged so woohoo!

Enjoy the pictures....i certainly enjoyed the experience.

A Competition Winner

2010-01-18T09:23:00.000-08:00

In 2009 I entered a competition at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, in which I had to create a 'low tech' sculpture out of objects supplied by the venue. This was all part of a touring exhibition titled 'Quiet Revolution' created by writer and curator Chris Fite-Wassilak, who with his efforts was winner of the curatorial open held at Hayward Gallery in London.

As I walked around the space I was forever intrigued by an element of balance within the artists work, which was well installed at the Harris, with exception of one piece created by Matt Calderwood and titled "Some things just work". Perhaps one of the strongest pieces however not framed by the space and surrounding work as well as I thought it could be...it needed more air around it.

After marvelling at the exhibition as a whole I made my way into a neighbouring room in which public could attempt to create their very own pieces of art. I grabbed a water bottle, plant pot and kite string. I then thredded the kite string through the water bottle handle and further attached the string to firstly a basketball and then secondly to a lever and placed them on the ground. If anyone was to kick the ball or pull the lever (as they instinctively might) then the water botlle would have been dislodged from its balanced position.

This was an eventual winner of the 'Quiet Revolution' competition, providing me with a much needed B&Q voucher for those artists with storage issues and also the treat of visiting Mr Fite-Wassilak in London for the day.

'Chris' as I will now refer to him was an absolute pleasure to meet. Im not going to begin waffling about the gentleman's attire and what we ate for lunch (although that was shit!!).
We spent time in Lisson Gallery looking at their current offering titled "7", which is not really worth talking about and also the Showroom where emerging artist Ruth Buchanan displayed her first London exhibition, which I have to say I am very pleased new work is inspiring me more than a repeated repertoire of oldies but goodies. If it has too longer shelf life then arguably it was too safe to begin with.
Buchanan's video work was a little uninspiring as is most video work. I try to push and seek some level of appreciation as to why the camera has even begun recording such moments of staged pointlessness, but with the exception of certain Violla pieces and Fischli & Weiss, I am often dissapointed. This doesnt give Buchanan much credit, Be uplifted in the knowledge that this was one piece within a room of rather successful pieces, most notably for me "Curved Curtain", in which the simple involvement of a timed fan gave a piece of art with everychanging narrative, which to me acknowledged an artworks time limit to the public eye and therefore changes the way we look at the piece and subsequently forces us to look again at a piece we have just grown tired of.

Anyway after this and lunch we parted company, yet with an exchange of details and a promised article to be included within BRUCE zine...a joint venture between artist Matthew Livesey and myself (only exclusively available to people in Preston).

John Moores Contemporary Painting Prize 2010

2010-01-18T08:44:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody....

I have been working on a new painting inspired by the palette visible below.

The are becomming surrealist developments of a sub-conscious illustration, in which objects previously witnessed within my installation art pieces, become 2Dimensional shapes reworked compositionally on canvas and inhabited by my Keith Hartley inspired drawing style.

In my piece for John Moores the composition will hold no colour, with the exception of paynes grey outlines, as I am interested in the outlines themselves monouvering amongst each other as the eventual image. It is almost as if I am trying to integrate everything I encounter on a level playing field. Objects become playing grounds for the featurless characters. There is no preference of object, personna or environment; it is an amalgamation of all I see or recall.

The 'surreal' comes from how the everyday is remastered into a celebration where internal becomes external and visa versa, mixed with the white space between the monotony of line, the overall effect is one of optical impressiveness and in need of the creative imagination from audience, as a means to mentally generate an emotional environment for the work, as they will inevitably fill that which is recogniseable...say a chair...with their own personalised aesthetic relevant to their own encounters or tastes.

If I was to colour in between the lines then I would leave nothing for audiences to take ownership of and who am I to stifle the creativity of everyday people like me.

The canvas dimensions are H: 250cm W: 80cm D: 3cm

Sketchbook doodles

2009-10-26T11:32:00.000-07:00

I have been drawing doodles in my spare time since working as Curator at The Space.

This was a circumstancial departure for myself as those who know me will be aware of my lack of time and or care towards the technically drawn image.

However I have found appreciation in the relaxation of doodling. I have been designing abstract surrealist doodles comprising of childlike figures interacting with household furniture items for the past few months, without realising or perhaps focusing on references and influences.(the first example "Palleteable" is pictured above)

A friend told me about an artist who drew bold naive figures that were graphic and hard hitting in message...I knew who she meant, yet could not name them!?

Needless to say it was none other than Keith Haring who died of AIDS related complications in 1990 (at the age of 31). I had found my reference point yet the imagery does differ in personal style. Figures are smoother...looser than that of Haring, more fluidity and softness in the contours and primacy of the drawings I am creating, yet there are subtleties in explicit content or interaction between figures. The fact that the figures have no distinguishable features also places a narrative onto the drawings; perhaps encouraging the creative imagination to take ownership over part of the work. Further extending the reference to Haring I have been creating these works whilst being hnds on in a community based arts space therefore intrigued towards alternative setting for art and audience.

I drew a large scale composition onto a pane of glass found in a skip today (dated 26.10.09), deliberately seeking to unite these doodles with my existing concepts within installation. I intend to source a dissused window in a building and reposition the pane back to give it a regenerated existance in society. The drawing combined with an abstract painted rainbow will pay homage to the work of Haring whilst also beginning a new wave to my career embrassing my homosexuality and my interest's in colour and pattern.

Please feel free to comment. I will be investigating turning my sketchbook into a publication in the future....would people be interested in seeing this???

xxxx

2009-10-22T09:29:00.000-07:00

GRAYSON PERRY
"THE WALSTHAMSTOW TAPESTRY"

This new work of Perry's is exceptionlaly detailed and equally as vast spanning almost the entire lenght of one wall in Victoria Miro's top floor gallery (Wharf Road, London).
It is a piece of computer created textile reflecting Perry's childlike yet fully detailed compositions exploring the story of life from cradle to grave.
Again in reference to Perry's drawing style much like his pottery (best known through winning Turner Prize) is highly decorative and beautiful, however requires closer inspection into a melting pot of 'societal discontent'.
Light hearted and comforting mediums have been given a sense of attack in Perry's piece to which other tapestry has done once before, does anyone recall 'The Bayeux Tapestry'!!..need i say more!
Yet again we are faced with war and annomosity, however this time it involves McDonalds, KFC, Oxo, Nestle and many more examples of capitalist consumerism. Perry humourously explores the identity crisis of our modern day lifestyles and approaches both through the selected imagery and text. An example of the humour lies in a river of blood in the tapestry that flows left to right - from the womb to the mouth of a waiting devil - are the words 'Red Bull' which can be associated with our necessity for stimulation.
There is also religious cannotations to the work, not purely reflected through the history of it's predecesor and the fact that many an older person has spent time in church halls creating tapestry coasters and doilies; but in the way the piece has symbolism through it's visual comparisons and stimulus such as the devil and also the largest centralised figure almost acting as a contemporary version of a Madonna and child however the child in todays society is a Channel bag.
look it up ang go for a looksee!!

2009-10-22T08:55:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

As promised...a small insight into my experiences at a marketing workshop dated monday 19 oct 2009.

This was a full day workshop with David Parish 'international business advisor for creative people', with creative being the opperative word.
Taking place at PAD Shop & Gallery in preston (visit www.padshopandgallery.com) the workshop was invasive regarding the acceptance of a level of responsibility for the effects that ones own personal, emotional and creative attachments can have on a/your business.

As an artist I am self employed therefore consider myself as a business! Granted a business that is diverse in intention and with strands, but nevertheless it is a business which requires updating, reviewing and direction regularly throughout its time period.
This workshop was accepting of creative people as 'Parrish' understands the dynamics of a creative business when compared to a more mainstream level of marketing outlook.
Although the term gallery and art was used in often a generic way, there were however good points to learning an approach towards art that regardless of concept or heirachy, is intended for inevitable sales.
I am through to chapter 6 in David Parrish's surprisingly well layed out and concise book titled 'T-Shirts and Suits', which is well worth a read through if you are indeed a creative business or individual. Alternatively you could visit David Parrish's site and receive a copy of the e-book, www.davidparrish.com.

It was interesting to me to see creative people discussing and communicating on a business level as apposed to aesthetical concerns of what I have now discovered as 'operational marketing' (that which is tangiable in the form of flyers, logos, colour schemes etc etc). I have always thought of myself to have a borderline ineptitude for generating publicity and more importantly strategically understanding the aims and objectives of what I want my work to achieve for me, however this open and informal setting made me realise of other peoples fault and achievements in comparison. In no disrespect to individuals I was able to place myself in a position which highlighted my ability to communicate in a marketable way and until now I had not realised this was partially subliminal and natural within myself, which now just needs to be nurtured and acknowledged more directly.
I was the only individual specifically concerned with a conceptual contemporary art career with my primary 'customer' ideally being placed in a contemporary gallery space or art organisation setting, therefore there was concern over my self titled marketed name being 'A Bloody Good Artsit'.
My instincts tell me that in order to generate an audience you must part compliment them and also part annoy them in some way. Why do we always fall for people who criticise us?, why do we like cheekiness in people?, because they dont just give us what we want and therefore it makes us respond more passionately, whether for or against it doesnt matter as you have nevertheless interacted with the 'product' (meaning my installations, mixed media art works)!

To call oneself 'bloody good' is yes slightly pretentious in one regard, yet is strangely humble at the same time as if we didnt think we were good at making something then we wouldnt venture out and turn ourselves into businesses. If it isnt a hobby then it has to distinguish your from your competition in some way, I decided to be honest about my feeling towards the work I create and to say something is good. It is a choice to stand by my product and also have a little fun with branding and personna of an artist.
Grayson Perry is a prime example of an artist with an alternative personna that is still very much representational as a whole as apposed to deliberate P.R.

Keep an eye out for any other potential events held by Parrish he is a good communicator.

xxx

A night out gone marvellously wrong

2009-10-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

I had an excellent evening in Manchester in Saturday at Contact theatre where a new rap opera was performed titled 'Marcus the sadist'.
There were many levels to this piece from controversy, humour, vocal and performance talents that all juxtaposed together (alongside clever technical and musical inputs) in order to deliver a raw yet fully coherent piece of Theatre that fully promotes the achievements of british urban, rap culture.

The after party was not necessarily linked to 'marcus the sadist' but I had a blast. Sticking around at Contact you realise the hub that it is and sustains. Live dance performance showcases from multi faceted individuals were accompanied and led by improvised musical backing; providing a late night repertoir that gripped me and my fellow guests.
I tried to trick my friend into getting on the dancefloor and 'busting some grooves' but I had the misfortune of being misunderstood in my quest and was escorted onto the floor myself!.
Needless to say with only two amateur dramatic performances under my belt and no dance training I was put on the spot!. Ever the professional I pretended and went with it.
It was a great release to get up there and move to uncertain music...a total appreciation for being out of control.
I enjoyed it thoroughly and would not hesitate to do it again.
Have a look for contact theatre's website and see when there next similiar event is and get your flappy arms legs and hips down there!!!!

On a less important note I spotted sunita from coronation street and also kimberley from Girsl Aloud!....Perhaps the girls need a chubby cute backing dancer/artist/curator blah blah for their next video !?

Perhaps not...sorry girls im too busy!

Gallery exhibition

2009-10-15T11:59:00.000-07:00

THE SPACE

'OUT & ABOUT'

13TH OCT-13TH NOV

22 CANNON ST, PRESTON

(off fishergate main highstreet opp Topshop)

As curator for this venue we have hosted the largest collection of art works to date in this current exhibition. From art produced through workshop programmes and collaborations in the studio it showcases the range of accesibility the venue has and what is produced through this contemporary art facility. Established and emerging artists exhibit there latest pieces in order to create an inclusive and experimental space that is unique and the first of its kind in Preston.

The work pictured is an art piece by myself titled 'I think you left something', a site specific installation that has responded to the safe found in the gallery wall and also displays casts of discarded objects taken from the rear of the gallery. The audience enters the space and physically interacts with this piece as their feet stand on the red carpet feature. Upon entering the gallery you are instantly confronted with the art, whilst witnessing the artist hand held inquisitively about to knock at the safe door; reminding us of those 'things' treasured or thrown and how without consequence or indeed questioning value, our behavioral attitudes in a consumer society will begin to consume the fantasical elements of everyday hopes and dreams.

Other works include an installation of photgraphic images by collaborative team Joanna Greenen & Victoria Johnson, whose piece 'den for the dissused' reflects their temporary refurbishment of the rear of the venue in August 2009. The images archive the artist's time and moments of adaptation to a previously derelict area whilst also promoting hope of regeneration through a preconceived long term project which will see the artist's inhabit further dens for the dissused across Preston

Andrea Fisher is an artist and illustrator based in the Manchester area who for The Space has produced 'Tree of Life'. Standing proudly within the gallery the artist's hand made tree made of iron wire and copper sheet metal is a marvel; interchangeable in time and aesthetic appeal as the indoor autumnal tree takes on new life when placed in an environment suited to its natural counterpart. The iron wire will rust providing us with a sumptious brown trunk, whereas the copper leaves will blossom into shades of green, It sits as an industrial sculpture yet holds emotion and life in its roots that gives the audience a feeling of optimism and intrigue as the tree develops.

There are many more works on show with several weeks left to view the pieces.

Opening days will be mon, tue and saturday 10-5pm.

WEBSITE

2009-10-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

Garth Gratrix: A Bloody Good Artist website is now up and running.
Please have a look and feel free to feddback and comment on anything you like or find confusing.

I hope to use this site as a formal promotional tool for my art and the services I can provide as a contemporary visual artist.

www.garthgratrix.com

2009-09-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

I have just assisted in the creation of a new 'zine' for Preston.
Artist Matthew Livesey (a member of New Arts North West in which I curate), has developed BRUCE! a new zine that will document and promote the artistic life of Preston.
Providing review based articles, personal opinions and doddles and sometimes the darn right wacky BRUCE will be a great addition to the art scene in Preston.
The name for this hand made zine came from a eulogy written by a man named Bruce, that was found on the streets of Preston back in 2004.
It is a prime example of art existing without us knowing its ever taken place, but with BRUCE's help and inspiration we can get closer to being aware of such delights.

Issue#1 has been released this week and will now be produced every month indefinately.
Bruce has inhabited many spaces already, from coffee shops, book stores and galleries...so keep your eyes pealed and perhaps grab hold of a limited edition Bruce in the near future!!

2009-07-08T11:29:00.000-07:00

Contents May Vary presents....ANTIFREEZE
4th July 2009
12-7pm
CHIPS Building, New Islington, Manchester

Hi,

I have exhibited within this Contents May Vary exhibition with my touring body of work
'Have Art Can Travel'.
It featured over 70 artists and showcased new settings for art and development for many talented and emerging individuals.

My work was designed as an installation of objects that would move and respond to the environment throughout the event. Placing objects of comfort and familiarity within changing spaces from kaotic to stranded to baron, in order to experiment with perceptions of reality dependant on context and circumstance.

The shabby chic facades of my reworked objects often have a Vogue quality with subtle tonal differences between the materials I place together. They almost become props for a new existence and an opportunity for previously discarded matter to be spotlighted with an artist as their new owner.

Garth Gratrix: 'A Bloody Good Artist'.... IS BACK!!!

2009-05-05T04:04:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody...

I am really sorry I have not updated the site in a while.

I am currently creating a new website for my work which will include all the latest work that I have been creating and involved within.

Here is an update..............

The Chrysalis Project: Target Well Being and Big Lottery funded, devised by Bluestreak Arts, check out www.bluestreakarts.net for more information. I am lead artist for both Culture & Diversity and Identity & History strands to this project.

Creative Links 3: Again have a look at www.bluesteakarts.net ,this is a long term project working with mental health service users in Preston (NW England) to deliver a creative delivery programme to engage and enthuse. I will be running a new series of workshops within 3D disciplines for 3 months from June.

The Space: A new facilty in Preston (NW England) acting as a community space, gallery and studio space for emerging artists to develop and deliver a comprehensive catalogue of exhibitions. I provide artistic and curatorial services for The Space working cosely with other artists to develop their skills and understanding of multiple art disciplines to challenge both them and also the audience. Next exhibition event will be June 8th which will feature a vast range of Photographic material from artists and community groups A local youth group provide music for the preview events and create a warm and friendly, but contemporary space for all who love art and getting together.

Have Art Can Travel: A self instigated body of work which sees art works made to fit and travel within a vintage leather suitcase to new audiences. The touring body of work provided new venues and opportunities for both artist and audience to explore and engage with art in all its facets.

Once Upon A Street: This one day art workshop is part of Manchester Prides programme of events and will see a collaberation between myself and artist Liz Collier to work with the LGBT community of Manchester and generate a unique 'one word story' taking single words from each communiyt member to montage together.

Take Care for now

xxx

2008-03-19T07:29:00.000-07:00

NEW WORKS....

2008-03-19T06:58:00.000-07:00

Hey people I am uploading some images of other art woks that I have worked on recently.

If anyone wants information regarding the themes and thoughts about the visual displays then please feel free to ask me about them!

"Preperation"- female memorobillia,lining paper, light - SHOW#1-2007

This was a show I curated as part of New Arts North West, an artist led initiative of currently 10 members who aim to show diverse and contemporary artworks wherever possible.

This SHOW#1, was the opening event for the group where local galleries from preston and manchester came to view the work and gained press coverage for providing an alternative venue for arts.

This show led to 'ART ON BUSES' a collaberation with Stagecoach where contemporary art was installed and mobile on designated bus routes travelling through Preston and further a field.

"Push my Button"- Art on Buses-2007

This then led to being part of ABC Festival in Preston.

The work was titled 'New Directions' and was in collaberation with Bluestreak Arts. A gain another curating opportunity for myself where I gained coverage for my efforts and it was yet another example that contemporary gallery art can be presented in challenging ways.

yet more genius lol

2008-03-18T04:15:00.000-07:00

"eithier that face is on medication, or theres no hope"

"I do believe in fairies, i do believe in fairies"

A scene from garth gratrix at work:-

Phone rings, bring bring!

Garth " Hello ......Garth speaking how can i help you?"
Caller " Can i speak to her majesty please?"
Garth " And which queen are you refering to please?"

JUST ME

2008-03-18T04:10:00.000-07:00

Hello...i am in the process of typing arts proposals for upcoming exhibitions etc etc which bores me when presented with 5 booklets of paper work and arts council applications blah blah blah (although necessary)
So i am just saying hello to whoever is out there. If somebody from a prestigious gallery is reading then hello and wink wink lol.

Take care people

G -X-

ARTWORKS

2008-03-14T05:58:00.000-07:00

Hello, here is some background works by yours truly,

for those of you who have not seen or heard of me before!

There once was a boy called Garth who was training to be a Nurse, he went down to the land of university and met a man who spoke of bedpans. Garth was horrified by such conversations and thought "Fuck that 'shit', im gonna be a gay northern artist instead" !

Art has always been forever my joy and creative output in most situations i face so i decided to erase the family peers of having a "job that pays a salary" and make art pay for me! (although currently i am paying for my art!....that old stereotype of being a struggling starving artist is not to far removed from reality lol. Although i am rather successful in my local areas currently so i cant complain too much. I think as long as you are incorporating something that makes a smile on your face as part of your everyday then run with it and dont feel you have to ignore it because its not worhtwhile or serious enough!

Now i shall finish the pep talk for today and reel off some more images of my work for you all to enjoy and learn more about my diverse ways of working!

Take care

2008-03-12T08:13:00.000-07:00

here is the link to my friends blogspot about me lol

"Dont envy me, my kinda lifes not for everybody"

go here

MR GRATRIX

2008-03-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

Hello everybody sorry i have been absent for a wee while, i have been getting another comission under my belt. It is for a mental health facility in Preston and i am creating very differnent works to what i usually create so it has been a fun experience. I shall post visuals of the work in due course so feel free to have a look through and comment on the differences between the commercial works and the gallery works for me ...Thanx

A friend has decided to set up a blogspot called quotes by garth so have a look at that too. Some people seem to think im funny sometimes and i have things to say!
Take Care

G -x-

Harris Museum & Art Gallery

2008-02-20T07:42:00.000-08:00

BLOG #2

Here is my art exhibition Titled "The Simplicities of my Complexities"-2008

The work is cuurently showing at the Harris Museum & Art Gallery in Preston until March 1st

Enjoy

-x-

A SHOW IN HARRIS MUSEUM
January 4th 2008 - March 2008

"The Simplicities of My Complexities"-2008 is an installation giving birth to a new departure alongside promoting existing video work titled
"Superstar Thruster"-2006.

The show explores language and behaviour through audience participation. This occurs by collecting and collating human responses to an individual character by asking them to state a single word that best describes that person. That person is me!
This will take place between 3 genres of people who are linked to the individual character:-

· Family
· Friends and aquintances
· The Stranger

The formalities of this public and private experiment will be represented within the installation being created specifically for the Harris Museum & Art Gallery.
It will take shape in the form of a large scale installation dominating the entrance of Harris, utilising not the wall space as traditionally expected but the floor, eye levels and up into the air of the vast ceiling heights availabe.

VISUAL STIMULI

Like the shape and/or task of a juggler trying to keep momentum and sustain the tools of his trade, it is the same difficulties we are faced with in everyday living, yet we treat it with less humour and place the term 'chore' onto the act as apposed to leisure or perhaps joy. The tools of my trade are taken from life experience or upbringing and hold reference to memories that are not just past, but present and future. Invoking thought, repression, laughter, struggle, freedom, distain, adoration, discomfort and approachability.

"Superstar Thruster" explores the entrapment of such thoughts and environments whilst also showing a humorous method to tackle or perhaps re-think our behavioural stigmas. It also introduces an alter ego to the person who has just been categoriesed by family, friends and strangers previously. Challenging their judgments and making them aware that forsight can come during not just after. It also shows that there are more ways than one to view, believe, promote or discover something.

The work is a display of a reality. A reality that is staged, performed, but truthful.

It is an oxymoron; A bitter sweet exploration of the home environment, of life, of nothing, of me.

Garth Gratrix

2008-02-20T07:34:00.000-08:00

I am a gay norhtern artist in a world full of london. Help, me support me and show me the money heehee!
BLOG #1

Hello everybody my name is Garth and i work as an artist and a curator in the North West of England.

I am slowly realising the difficulties i face as an artist who will to show in the Turner Prize one day.

I want to critique work from others so please feel free to send me imagery and I will certainly give my views about your work and perhaps you all could do the same for me.

Thanx for now
Take Care everybody

G -x-