Cramming commitments like cats in a sack

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is my latest project from Art School. We were given a brief to investigate and develop work to do with many of the local parks in Dundee. I went with Balgay Hill because I wanted to include the fantastic little Observatory.

Art, space and music all invoke the same emotions in me, and to begin with I wanted to try and bring the first two together somehow by playing with the different views you can get from the observatory; awe inspiring images of planets and galaxies at night and breath taking views out across the city and the silvery tay during the day. I was getting really into it, researching all of these gorgeous photographs from Hubble and the incredible work of Nancy Holt’s Sun Tunnels (check her out, amazing stuff)

But I found these images were pretty impersonal and cold. That, added with essay deadline stress left me feeling pretty frustrated and trapped and generally uninspired by the direction my work was going in. Anyways, I saw my trip to London to see Elbow as a much needed break, but I had no idea just how much of an impression it would have on me. It was such an incredible, rejuvenating emotional and uplifting night that I just had to include elements of it into my work. Experiencing all of that beauty, I realised that music has the same, profound effect on me as astronomy and art and the path ahead suddenly opened up for me.

My gorgeous friend Rhian is in the process of applying for a foundation art course and I’ve been helping her out with advice and what not. The most important thing I keep trying to drum home is being honest and true to yourself. Seeing her so enthused and inspired, I realised I hadn’t been taking my own advice and had been holding back in my own work. This past week felt like a break through and I now see that I shouldn’t be embarrassed to express my feelings. Life has been pretty damn good as of late and I feel like I’m walking on air. As a result, I wanted to change gear from my usual style and produce something that was just really uplifting and celebratory. Regardless of whether I’ve achieved that or not, it’s the work that means the most to me and that I’m proudest of so far. I hope you like it.

But I love the bones of you that I will never escape

Well, I’m back from London and from witnessing Elbow play Wembley Arena. I would normally give you a big write up, but I just can’t do it justice. It was the most incredible, sublime, emotional and beautiful evening of my life.

I love music, but Elbow have always held a special place in my heart, not just because I’ve been with them every step of the way since 2000, seen them grow and to finally achieve the success they deserve, but because they have helped me through so much in my life. Every soaring mountain top and soul destroying valley, they’ve been there. And I cried my eyes out on Saturday night because I was just so proud, and because their songs break my little heart every time like no other.

This is a clip of Scattered black and whites, my all time favourite song of theirs. It just floored me. I’ve never been so raw and emotional at a gig before. If you like it, please go out and buy the album, buy all of their albums. Your life will feel just that little bit better because life is always worth living with a good song in your heart.

Ah, my little band played Wembley Arena…..well done boys.