SHELFIES Up Close and Personal

New Work from Sturnidae

Artists have long been in the practice of collecting objects and putting them on the shelves in the studio. Sometimes these objects become works of art in themselves or provide inspiration for a piece of work – a drawing, a painting or a sculpture. This ‘Magpie ‘mentality has been common practice amongst artists since Picasso along with Miro and through to Henry Moore and more contemporary artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and later Louise Bourgeois and Phyllida Barlow. Up to the present day where we have recycled, re-used and repurposed to consider when creating a piece of art. There is certain joy in seeing the intrinsic value in an object, knowing that even the most discarded item has potential to become a work of art. It is connected with seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary. Looking at things in a different way. In our current exhibition we hope to give the viewer an insight into the fascinating world of found objects – the journey some of them make and the stories they tell. Whilst others just remain resolute and just become part of the interest.

Sturnidae Artists

David Ashby
Carine Brosse
Jacquie Denby
Chris Murray
Tony Stephenson
Philippa Troutman

My personal statement accompanying my work:

Over the past 25 years I have collected objects that I have found as I walked from my home and some I have brought back to my studio as treasures.
I have broken ceramics, all of which have appeared in my garden and were, I imagine, discarded by previous owners of my home.
I have metal ‘finds’ from the railway.
Many I have no idea of their original function.
I have bones of sheep, birds, deer.
I bring back rocks and stones from my travels.
They all hold a story.

The concept of home. The global backcloth of people being displaced from their home, through famine, bombings, the horrors of war.

These found objects born of my home took on additional meaning.

My home is a railway house and sits next to the line. It is in high moorland.