Umbrella Event: SAC Resident Artists

Installation by Halima Bhatti

Exhibition Dates :
Wednesday 31 July – Monday 30 September 2024
**Installation viewable 24/7

Whispers of Heritage showcases Arabic calligraphy through vases and an umbrella adorned with intricate symbols. The vases celebrate Arab culture and history, while the Silent Whisper umbrella symbolizes protection against unseen threats (as Islamophobia). This exhibit highlights the enduring legacy and contemporary relevance of Arab art in a captivating manner.

This exhibit showcases the profound beauty and significance of Arabic calligraphy through meticulously crafted vases and a unique umbrella, each adorned with intricate Arabic symbols and motifs. These pieces not only highlight the aesthetic allure of Arab art but also underscore its cultural and historical importance in the contemporary world.

The vases, with their elegant curves and detailed script, narrate tales of Arab heritage and wisdom, celebrating the timeless essence of Arabic language and art. Each motif is a reflection of a rich cultural tapestry, inviting viewers to explore and appreciate the depth and intricacy of Arab traditions.

These pieces form a harmonious dialogue between past and present, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the poetic and protective nature of Arabic art. Whispers of Heritage is a tribute to the enduring legacy of Arab culture and its profound relevance in today’s world.

Daily Opening Times :
Friday 5 July – Sunday 11 August 2024
Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
Closed most weekends / Weekend Opening Hours TBC

“A residency within a residency. A glimpse into my creative process.

I often get the impression that a lot of the general public views artists as elusive and mysterious. We hide away in studios for hours, weeks, or months and eventually emerge with a creation. Let’s get things out in the open.

For five weeks I will move my practice out of my studio and upstairs into the studio gallery. Recent works will hang on the walls as usual, alongside my current projects. One such project is a large drawing whose subject is as tall as I am. On the days I would have otherwise been downstairs in studio 126, I’ll be in situ, working in the studio gallery. Unfortunately, this will not be every day. But on the days I am not present, my work will still be there for you to see.

I invite people not only to see what I’ve made in recent months but what I’m currently making as well. Come and watch me work, have a conversation with me, or both. You can ask me questions about my process and materials and get a glimpse of how I turn a blank surface into a hyperreal drawing using just graphite, brushes, and erasers. 

My process is a time-consuming one. The large drawing is not a project that will be completed in the course of the exhibition. You will get a glimpse of the beginning of the project in action, and the beginning of a form will emerge.”
– Katelyn Geard

Installation by Anne Buckingham

Self(ies) in Nature considers how the natural landscape is compromised by our desire to capture ourselves on screen. Displayed as images in phone cases, the delicate relationship is explored through abstracted cyanotypes and stitched sketches.

The installation Self(ies) in Nature explores our delicate relationship with nature and how that relationship can change focus when viewed through the lens of a phone.

Being in nature benefits us physically and emotionally, and nature in turn benefits from our understanding and respect for it.

This balance can be disturbed when we turn the lens to include ourselves and the perspective changes from nature in the spotlight, to merely being a backdrop to self.

Our need to be centre stage can diminish our ability to be truely present with nature. The artwork questions what is lost when we become the focal point and nature is the accessory.

The abstracted cyanotypes are a collaboration with nature and combine found natural objects and repurposed fabric. Cyanotypes are a form of camera-less photography which rely on the sun for processing and ultimately give nature the final say in the outcome.

The design of the installation highlights our tendency to display our achievements of being in nature. Sketched profiles suggest, however, the fleetingness of humans in comparison to the natural landscape, despite any attempts to dominate it. They are accompanied by thoughts of nature writers, who too, grapple with our complicated relationship with the environment.

The installation follows an Arts Residency at Salamanca Arts Centre.