Eendraght
120x200cm
Fall
100x150x2cm
hand mixed oil on canvas with
coppered edges
2019
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Slip
100x150x4cm
hand mixed oil on canvas
2019
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Sea Gyre
hand mixed oil on canvas
120x200x4cm
2019
This collection of works arose from research into the pigments that were in the cargos of ships captured by privateers during the Anglo-Dutch Wars. I chose this period because of its resonance with the current era. An era of turbulence, or power grabbing and of human consequence. The first images are works are made using indigo, the pigment listed in the cargo of the Dutch ship the Eendraght (The name translates as consensus, or agreement) . The most commonly listed pigment vulnerable to privateers when being shipped on transatlantic routes. Some of the work has copper edges, which references the copper bottoing of ships which was an innivation of the period allowing transatlantic sea trade to be speedier and ships Hulls to be more resitstant to paracites. The research that lead to this innovation was funded by Charles II.
The images below this text were made using madder, verdigris and smalt, each of these pigments was listed only once in the Admiralty papers in the National Archive as being in ships privateered during the period. I am interested in the way in which there are detailed economic records but the records of the human impact is scant. In this archive are the letters which were part of the booty. They were never distributed to the intended recipients. I have chosen one letter from the Eendraght and whoever buys the piece the Eendraght will get a copy of the letter and a commitment from me to make an attempt to deliver a copy of that letter to families living in the neighbourhood it was sent to who currently have the same name.
The research for my current collection started in 2018 with virtual and physical trips to the National Archive. This collection has its roots ideas which fermented as a result of my Indigo, Deptford and Bristol Presentiments collections. The era for the historical research is similar the 16-1700s, but here I am focussing in particular on periods of conflict. Conflicts which were based on trade wars, which were eventually resolved by trade treaties. On privateering, a kind of state sponsored piracy which played out in the developments in sea trade.
The notion of a gyre is a repeated theme in this collection. A swirling mass of energy with a central calm point which could at any moment be swept away into violence.
As always the pictures I am making play with a sense of space, a space for you to fall into, get a little lost and remember.
The images below this text were made using madder, verdigris and smalt, each of these pigments was listed only once in the Admiralty papers in the National Archive as being in ships privateered during the period. I am interested in the way in which there are detailed economic records but the records of the human impact is scant. In this archive are the letters which were part of the booty. They were never distributed to the intended recipients. I have chosen one letter from the Eendraght and whoever buys the piece the Eendraght will get a copy of the letter and a commitment from me to make an attempt to deliver a copy of that letter to families living in the neighbourhood it was sent to who currently have the same name.
The research for my current collection started in 2018 with virtual and physical trips to the National Archive. This collection has its roots ideas which fermented as a result of my Indigo, Deptford and Bristol Presentiments collections. The era for the historical research is similar the 16-1700s, but here I am focussing in particular on periods of conflict. Conflicts which were based on trade wars, which were eventually resolved by trade treaties. On privateering, a kind of state sponsored piracy which played out in the developments in sea trade.
The notion of a gyre is a repeated theme in this collection. A swirling mass of energy with a central calm point which could at any moment be swept away into violence.
As always the pictures I am making play with a sense of space, a space for you to fall into, get a little lost and remember.
Madder
Hand mixed oil on canvas
100x150x4cm
2019
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Gloaming,
smalt pigment and acrylic medium on canvas
100x150x4cm
2019
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Smalt Gyre, smalt pigment and acrylic medium, 60x60 cm, 2019
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Verdigris,
mixed media on canvas, 60x60cm, 2019
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Sea Gyre and Eendraght in a Room with double height ceilings
Telephone02084445173
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sarahneedham@artfromlondonmarkets.com
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