Worthing Artist Sutton Auckett Paints Modern Lido Murals

It was very nice to wake up this morning to find that I was in the Worthing Herald newspaper. Over the past few weeks I have been restoring and repainting old murals which sit to the left of The Worthing Lido Entertainment Centre.  Being a former employee for several years now, I have also done various other pieces of artwork which include painting the two sculptural flower pots either side at the top of the facility. Many hours have been spent trying to restore and brighten up the centre and therefore it was very nice to get some public recognition.

The Worthing Herald newspaper clipping mentioning my mural artwork.

I was also very delighted to hear that the murals had received positive feedback from Visit England.The organisation said:

"It is encouraging to learn that the attractive hand painted pieces were re-painted by a local artist. They are part of the history of the building and provide an unexpected delight to all those that see them."

It is my intention to continue repainting the outdated exterior murals at The Lido when I am back from university in the summer months.

More information and a video of the most recent mural can be seen on the Worthing Herald website link below.

http://www.worthingherald.co.uk/news/local/worthing-artist-paints-modern-lido-mural-1-5519467

The First mural I created was a contemporary painting of the Arms of the Borough of Worthing. The civic motto is 'Ex terra copiam e mari salutem'  translated to,  'From the land plenty and from the sea health'.

The second mural shows the Worthing International Birdman Event logo. The competition takes place every year  for human powered flying machines, seeing how far people can launch themselves off the Worthing Pier.

The third mural I painted  is a present day interpretation of what is inside The Lido Entertainment Centre. The most recent kids rides are displayed as well as some of The Lido's most regular customers.

One of the two painted floral sculptures that I painted just over a year ago. Here the eastern side which faces the pier.

Talk by Mitra Tabrizan...

This evening I visited Brighton University on a talk hosted by Photoworks, a big company in Brighton that showcases talks, magazines and exhibitions. The artist talk was from Mitra Tabrizian and was all about why and how she managed to get photographs from Iran without permission. I cant go into much more detail because of privacy issues and by her request not to be published in anyway. 

Once the talk had finished I did not feel satisfied. I felt that she had given invalid reasons why she had been taking the types of pictures to prove a point. It just didn't seem right. I didn't enjoy the talk.

All That Mighty Heart...

As well as having the previous exhibit in the Phoenix Gallery, there was also a second which was a short film created by Jayne Wilson. Infact there were two films although I only had time to see the first longer one. The 10 minute film was produced carefully with researched images found in archives. Amongst this the film also included modern day time and movement. This created humor and a twist to keep you interested in watching.

The film starts out as mechanical engineering and grows about her obsession with numerical sequences. The qualities that were put together produced an associate with early factory days in post world war. I liked the sequence very much because the mechanical engineering way of thinking has been around for so long. Many of the steam powered machinery is now very different, but doing the same things. We take too much for granted. A steam train has now become a fast electric train.

I really liked the phase that came up on the screen: "The short hand goes round the circle in twelve hours. The long hand goes round the circle in one hour and moves from dot to dot in a minute." I think it really summed up what the work was about when a clock was displayed. Its as if we have taken technology to a new level but we have never forgotten who created or where and what it was made for. 

Photograph taken by myself displays the machinery cogs that Jayne Wilson had in her film.

The room was very dark and it felt unclear whether I should step in. I was not knowing what to expect. Their must have been a sensor because the movie started to play and I sat down on the sofa provided. Images were displayed for a long time as the sound and movement showed mechanical cogs moving faster and faster. It kept going back to various ones. After a while the film started to speed up and photographs and video were being displayed very quickly flashing on and off. There was a big build up and then the short film started to slow down to end. It was as if the machine was told to work faster for a short period of time.

Broken Ground...

As I was in Brighton today I thought it would be an ideal time to visit one of my favorite exhibition spaces. This was the Phoenix Gallery around the corner from Brighton University. The space is large and small but very powerful if a series is trying to state a point.

Broken Ground features the work of a Canadian artist called Derek Besant. He explored the physical processes and human impact of redevelopment in large city's. He observed seven major places over the past nine years and some of the cities included London, Vienna and Shanghai. Each image is based upon the knock on effect upon traffic and pedestrians. The events are looked upon as temporary acts in which people reorganize materials and space into and out of chaos, hence destroying a building and then creating a new one. Besant has exhibited his work worldwide and so it was a privilege to see it. He studied at the University of Calgary and the Royal Canadian Academy where he produced traveling exhibitions and catalogues. 

The work was an instillation by using large scale prints on transparent fabric like materials. The exhibition consisted of roughly 6 large screens. They all contained similar information, therefore they fitted nicely as a set. A long towering shadow was shown on each material and it almost represented to me as if the 'towering' shadow was almost like the building before it was nocked down.

The picture above was my favorite. It almost looks as if it has been split into thirds horizontally. I really like the way the shadow is displayed. It looks as if  they are leaning forward and the body posture almost looks as if she was shocked that an important building was being replaced for a newer one. I believe that the canvas material had either been drawn on or enlarged from a drawing.

It was also very relaxing in this exhibition gallery. This was because there was a soundtrack created by Christian Bouchard in the background. Having previously collaborated with Besant before in 2005, he wanted him to create another piece of music. He gave Bouchard four words upon which to base the music upon, these were: Presence, Absence, Distance and Proximity. The running time was said to be approximately 50 minutes and contains five comprised movements each separated by one of the four interludes. I had really enjoyed seeing this work and being in this space alone.

Brighton Interview Preparation Sheet

1. About the College:

(50 words on why I have chosen this college)

Brighton University is situated in the heart of a very contemporary area. Lots of action is surrounded as well as many cultures and it is one of the places that let you create any work you would like without worrying about people’s reactions. A joyful environment including various exhibitions and gallery spaces to volunteer and help, as well as being part of the community after you have finished the degree. Only an hour away from London.

2. About the Course:

(150 words on the reason for choosing the course to include evidence of an awareness of the curriculum content, previous student work, staff profile, progression opportunities, state if you went to an Open Day)

This course would be brilliant for me because a huge number of students would mean that I would have the opportunity to mix with other people and their photographic styles. A well recognized university would mean that there would be higher visiting lectures to talk than perhaps some other universities around England. I like the fact that in the second year at Brighton you are encouraged to work outside of your preferred medium to a relationship such as moving image and sound. This would be a great experience to opening up my field as I have only touched on these parts before. Entry requirements are quite high compared to the rest of the universities I have approached with a foundation course desired as well as an A Level’s BBC. A degree at Brighton University enjoys a significant and international reputation. Career opportunities include freelance photographic practice as well as curating, publishing and exhibiting. In recent years graduates have won many prestigious awards, two Jerwood Photography Awards and a NESTA Innovation Award. The reputation is why I want to study here.

3. About Your Current Interests: what have you done recently/are you planning that show your ‘cultural awareness’ your ‘passion for your subject’ e.g. trips to galleries/museums, talks, concerts, workshops, books you have read, films. Be inventive and be bold but don’t blag.

(250 words)

My current interests at this previous time involve the use of long shutter speeds applied to simple compositions. Recently I have been playing around and experimenting, however I hope to take this further and explore in my first year of university level. I have been trying to achieve the fact that something appears missing to the viewer. For instance an episode of Eastenders would appear very unusual without the use of extras in the background. I have been to many exhibitions over the past few months to display the fact that I am passion for this subject. As well as looking at photography I have been looking outside my medium at art and the movement of brushstrokes by Lucian Freud and also seeing an exhibition in Brighton that involved the use of computer art. I attended a very interesting talk about Bardsey Island a few weeks back and it was all about a lonely island and the volunteers counted migrant birds. I loved the feel and pictures that showed desolation, similar to what I was trying to produce by using a long shutter speed. I find it interesting the fact that in A Level and the start of this year I was very drawn toward isolated trees. I now work in contrast to this and try to transform the sense of loneliness upon busy places. I did not realize of feel that this was meant to happen but I can relate them together as I have moved on.

4. About Your Current Practice: In a sentence say what your current practice involves

(25 words) 

My current practice includes the use of long shutter speeds involving the use of trying to display time and movement to the environment.

5. AND: Prepare 3 Key Questions to ask interviewer

What are the advantages of doing this course over another which is similar?

Who is your biggest inspiration in life, who do you look up to?

What is your definition of the word photography?

Plymouth Interview Preparation Sheet

 1. About the College:

(50 words on why I have chosen this college)

The university is upbeat and modern with its own separate part for school of art and design. This includes photography and everything has been put in one place. From previously looking at specialist colleges I realize it is better to go to a mixed university with lots of people doing various subjects, more people to meet and interact with. Situated in fantastic scenery.

2. About the Course:

(150 words on the reason for choosing the course to include evidence of an awareness of the curriculum content, previous student work, staff profile, progression opportunities, state if you went to an Open Day)

The staff profile for Plymouth University is amazing. I have been told that David Chandler is really good. He has worked in the photography field for thirty years and was assistant curator for the National Portrait Gallery in London. Stef once said that if she was to go to a university for the best staff it would be Plymouth. I went to an open day twice and I had a thorough look around the place. It was good everything was on the same level and had some great facilities like a wet and dry darkroom as well as lots of computer rooms and a special sunlight studio. I was also indulged to this university course after hearing that a film had been selected for an international competition. Typical career profiles are a free lance plhotographer, as well as advertising and editorial and curators.

3. About Your Current Interests: what have you done recently/are you planning that show your ‘cultural awareness’ your ‘passion for your subject’ eg trips to galleries/museums, talks, concerts, workshops, books you have read, films. Be inventive and be bold but don’t blag.

(250 words)

My current interests at this previous time involve the use of long shutter speeds applied to simple compositions. Recently I have been playing around and experimenting, however I hope to take this further and explore in my first year of university level. I have been trying to achive the fact that something appears missing to the viewer. For instance an episode of Eastenders would appear very unusal without the use of extras in the background. I have been to many exhibitions over the past few months to display the fact that I am passion for this subject. As well as looking at photography I have been looking outside my medium at art and the movement of brushstrokes by Lucian Freud and also seeing an exhibition in Brighton that involved the use of computer art. I attended a very interesting talk about Bardsey Island a few weeks back and it was all about a lonely island and the volunteers counted migrant birds. I loved the feel and pictures that showed desolation, similar to what I was trying to produce by using a long shutter speed. I find it interesting the fact that in A level and the start of this year I was very drawn toward isolated trees. I now worki in contrast to this and try to transform the sense of loneliness upon busy places. I did not realize of feel that this was meant to happen but I can relate them together as I have moved on.

4. About Your Current Practice: In a sentence say what your current practice involves

(25 words)

My current practice includes the use of long shutter speeds involving the use of trying to display time and movement to the enrorenment.

5. AND: Prepare 3 Key Questions to ask interviewer

What are the advantages of doing this course over another which is similar?

Who is your biggest inspiration in life, who do you look up to?

What is your definition of the word photography?

Time Is Changing...

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about university and how I am having second thoughts. I still want to go ahead with university next year but I felt there was so much pressure over January that I didn't listen to my heart. My choices included Brighton, Falmouth, Bournemouth, Plymouth and Newport. Nevertheless I now feel a strong urge to simply just bother with Brighton and Plymouth. I also thought I should have put down Portsmouth as an option even though it was not recommended to me just incase for a back up. In fact I think that was the problem I had. Newport and Bournemouth were both recommended for being quite good universities, nevertheless thinking about it I feel it's not just the course but the place. I couldn't see myself in either. I applied to Falmouth because I though Natural History and Marine Photography sounded really good. However it is so far away and I have this feeling you do not get proper funding for that university to stay. 

This leaves Brighton and Plymouth. Plymouth was by far my favorite but it is sure a long way. Would I miss family and it would mean that it would be further away from London so no exhibitions in a day trip? The environment is lovely but a high rate of unemployment. Brighton is local and I could get there with ease, still being able to stay at home. The problem I had was the fact that equipment looked old and so many students (almost double Plymouth) means that there would be less space etc. For this reason I feel stuck between the two. I have an interview for Plymouth coming up and I have just sent a digital portfolio for Brighton. I also sent one for Falmouth but they have not replied yet. I feel now that if I was not to get into either Brighton or Plymouth I will skip a year and work, applying next year. I feel like not even bothering with the other three an I will probably not submit my portfolio.