Did you manage to get round any of the artists in this year’s York Open Studios? Hopefully you did, because there were so many inspiring works to see and new artsists and techniques to discover!
We didn’t manage to make it round everyone (you’d have to be seriously dedicated and spend all weekend visiting the venues!) but we definitely felt we’d seen a good selection. It’s hard to pick a ‘favourite’ out of them all, but a few highlights for us this year were….
Work by Chi-ui Wu - one of our personal highlights from York Open Studios 2010
The whimsical ink drawings and enchanting ceramics created by Chiu-i Wu – her work is full of light, nature and life and we spotted several things wanted to take home with us – it’s the type of work you could look at every day and see something new in it.
On our way into town on Saturday morning, we passed by several of the venues, including Sandra Middleton, who works with silks and velvets that she dyes herself to create abstract pieces. The pieces looked so different depending on the light which was reflected on the fabrics (the images on her website don’t really do her work justice), and it was really great to have the chance to meet Sandra and see how the work was produced.
Across town, we visited David’s Patrick’s studio on Norfolk Street. David’s use of colour is really quite arresting, particularly the lush greens and vivid purples, and his work somehow makes York look very urban and contemporary – even in pieces featuring some of York’s most ancient features.
Worth remembering of course that all these artists work outside of York Open Studios – so check out their websites to find out more about their work, where else they exhibit and how you can buy their work.
If you did visit open studios, tell us who, and what you thought………
Yes, loved Chui’s work. Am considering buying a piece after pay – day! Her pieces are so “happy”, they really make you smile when you look at them.