Cysylltiad Lliw + Colour Connections Exhibition at Storiel Bangor July to September 2023

Featuring in both gallery 1 and 2, Cyslylltiad Lliw + Colour Connections featured over 30 works each by John and Andrew in a highly complementary exchange of colour. In bringing the two portfolios together the preceding dialogue taking place over many months came to actual placing of works that had been made in separate studios, close together for the first time. This placing together in the gallery spaces was remarkable in the connections and dialogue between the works. Both Andrew and John were surprised by the cross- communication of colour throughout the exhibition. These photos show the general exhibition whilst Andrew and John's pages (see right panel) feature individual works. 

Short walk around aspects of exhibition August 2023 (1:27}

Artist Marged Pendrell Critical Review of Cysylltiad Lliw + Colour Connections

CYSYLLTIAD LLIW + COLOUR CONNECTIONS

Visiting the exhibition Cysylltiad Lliw + Colour Connections by the artists Andrew Smith and John Hedley in Storiel Bangor is a total immersion in colour.

The work of these two artists creates an energetic dialogue that deepens the longer one spends in the installation.As the natural light through the large exhibition window changes, so do the works. Colours in Hedley’s 3 dimensional works are echoed in Smith’s paintings and vice versa.

 

We identified, in our critical discussion the need for paring down the body of work in future installations so that the strength of this dialogue is maintained throughout.

The installation of Hedley’s 3D free standing works could be simplified with the elimination of the added wooden plinths and mirrors. 

 

The collaborative work on Japanese paper made by both Hedley and Smith in Crete is at an embryonic stage of development with much potential for a future collaboration of extended duration.

Further experimentation with the installation of these pieces as interactive suspended works were also discussed and the question of how they can enter the dialogue and become integral with the main body of works. 

 

There’s a richness and depth to this collaborative project, the progress of which can be followed in the various insightful videos, available to view.

 

Marged Pendrell

Gallery Version John Hedley and Andrew Smith Studio Visits and Collaboration Crete 2023

Combining both studio visits and the final collaboration in one video, Andrew and John discuss respective appraoches to using colour in painting on location in Harlech, Llandudno and Crete.(29.23)

Cysylltiad Liw + Colour Connections

 

Collaboration Crete June 2023

During June 2023, Andrew and John planned to work on collaborative painting as a resolution to the project and the preceding four years dialogue on colour in painting. Working on location at John's studio at Vamos, Khania, Crete works were made on Japanese papers using water based paints. Andrew used watercolour and John used gouache. Both worked on the same works at different times initiating, changing, adding, subtracting elements shapes, textures and colour. Thinking through each others process led to thinking through appraoches to painting, each reflecting on traditions, approaches, precedents and a kind of retrospective tour through each different methodology and bouncing back and forth of painting ideas, memories, knowledge and understanding. At the same time, John painted in oils on his independant works and Andrew worked in his sketchbook. 

Vertical Horizons is the title of the final multi dimension piece as each paining will be attached with rice paste and suspended in columns, freely hanging and moving in any environment condition. Viewers are invited to move around and experience works from both sides experiencing the transparent aspect of some works, where the painting has literally gone right through with 100 per cent saturation, or on heavier papers, view the converse painting, different from verso. 

Papers used included Iwami, Bib Tenjujo, Kizuki Tosa Kozo with Nori Rice Paste.

In the final conversation video above, Andrew and John discuss progress on the painting towards the final stages of the collaboration (3:28)

John Studio 20.5.23 Crete

Works in progress Gavalochori, Crete. Painted on olive wood trying to reflect the colours of May and re-emergence. 

Painting in progress and transported to Wales on 28th May ..

Andrew Smith visit John Hedley Studio April 2023

For Colour Connections, John and Andrew visit each others studios to discuss new work in progress, identifying connections and finding differences in approach to using colour in painting. Visit made on 25.4.23 (13.07)

John Hedley visit Andrew Smith Studio April 2023

For Colour Connections, John and Andrew visit each others studios to discuss new work in progress, identifying connections and finding differences in approach to using colour in painting. Visit made on 21.4.23 (13.01)