Hello and welcome to the second instalment of this blog series - I hope that you enjoyed the first piece, and that you enjoy this one just as much!
Today's feature focuses on our artist Anna Hale. Anna specialises in Pottery, and has lots of gorgeous work displayed and available for purchase at the Gallery. She is also in the process of finalising the 'Lockdown Art Exhibition' that will be featured here at Queen Street Gallery.
Here is the blurb for her exhibition for anyone who is interested in coming along; it will be up from August 1st-29th so be sure to add that date to your diary!
"During these uncertain time and covid-19 changing all of our lives, along with Queen Street Gallery, we have decided to create an exhibition to show of all the wonderful artwork which are being created whilst we are safe at home. So if you have found your artistic streak please enter our exhibition, every artwork will be posted on this online gallery and when Queen Street Gallery is able to open again, a selection of work will be displayed in the gallery space to show the talents people have during there stressful time."
Q. From what/whom do you draw your artistic inspiration?
A. I have a number of things which inspire me, a lot of my textures in my work comes from my late grandmothers and great-aunties lace which I have inherited, other textures come from things I have found or things people have given me. Another part of my work is the world around me- landmarks, news, events, eg-Tata steel Port Talbot, floods and storms beginning of 2020, Rugby World Cup, Japan 2019.
Q. What motivates you to get up in the morning?
A. My alarm, ha no, I am more of a late person. I work part time as well therefore my time is precise to make work, and afternoon is my favourite time to work. I do like to make lists and have orders or fairs to work towards, however the feeling I get when I make something makes me want to do it all over again the next day.
Q. How would you describe your artistic style in three words?
A. Quirky, colourful, personal.
Q. How have you been creatively passing time during lock-down?
A. At the beginning of lockdown I brought some of my studio to my house so I could continue to make and this included my pottery wheel so I could practise throwing, however I dont think this is my forte but will continue to possibly combine thrown and slab work together. I was also inspired to make a covid-19 atom which I turned into a money box and inspired by Grayson Perry art club to make a lockdown house. I then also made some houses and rainbows to raise some money for charity.
Q. Did you always want to be an artist?
A. I have always been creative since a very young age but didn't enjoy it in secondary school until I have a new teacher in year 9 who encouraged me and I took art as an extra for GCSE then went on to A levels and found ceramics and that's what I wanted to learn and continue to make and play with clay.
Q. What is something that you enjoy getting up to in your spare time, outside of art?
A. I enjoy walking my dog, meeting up with friends and hopefully I will start back running again.
Q. What advice would you give to any aspiring artists out there reading this?
A. Keep going! It is hard, but find your style and it is your passion you can do it!
Q. Do you have a favourite artist/piece of art?
A. My favourite artists are Kate Malone, Grayson Perry and Antony Gormley however lots of artwork inspire me.
Q. Do you have anything exciting in the works that you are enjoying/looking forward to sharing?
A. I am currently curating my first exhibition which has been inspired by the lockdown. I wanted to display the creativity of the people within Neath Port Talbot and what they have been making/creating during lockdown and how being creative has helped people during this stressful time.
We hope you enjoyed reading this interview and enjoyed getting to know Anna and her artistic process a little more!
As always, keep an eye out for our blog updates and we are looking forward to seeing you soon.
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