30th June 2021
Last chance to see the wonderful exhibition, Down to Earth, by artist Millie Moore!
This week is the final week to see the stunning exhibition, Down to Earth, by Artist Millie Moore which is reflective of her daily walking in the rural landscape during lockdown. The exhibition ends on Saturday 3rd July.
Millie Moore is a contemporary artist living and working in Banbridge, Co Down. Since graduating in 2013 from Ulster University with a first class honours degree in Fine Art she has continued to develop her practice informed by an experience of and respect for the natural environment. Solitary walking in the rural landscape offers quiet space for observation, to marvel at the cycle of the seasons, to question the history of place.
"There is something about solitary walking that allows body and mind to work together, a kind of rhythmic act, an aloneness that is anything but lonely."
The body of work in this exhibition is drawn from my experience of this daily repetitive action of wandering through the landscape. It observes the earth itself, open, honest and direct which throughout the pandemic has stood sure. Nature continues to display its glorious mantle and to walk this place gives a grounding to my thoughts and mood. A quiet space to think, commit to memory and record. Rotation of earth and crops in the fields makes sense as I contemplate the farmer plough, seed and harvest only to begin the cycle once more.
Back in the studio recollections of place come flooding back as I face the blank canvas. Moments in time are recalled through drawing marks or brush stokes mirroring furrows or undulations, the Drumlins of Co. Down. Patterns of overhead clouds bring colour and shape affecting the surface of earth below. Canvases range from small snapshots to larger vistas, abstracted yet holding a trace of place.
A sculptural element has been added to the exhibition placed to complement the hung work. Formed vessels shaped from handmade silk paper exhibit rust print on a surface augmented with hand embroidery. Filled with gathered seed heads collected on winter walks these containers further meditate on my roaming.
Down to Earth reflects not only my thoughts from the past year but also communicates who I am, an artist and a walker gatherer.
Our temporary opening hours currently are:
Monday and Tuesday : CLOSED
Wednesday: 10am - 4pm and 7pm - 9pm
Thursday: 10am - 4pm and 7pm - 9pm
Friday: 10am - 3pm
Saturday: 10am - 1pm
