Renowned artist Kathy Williams, famed for her window installation at Boojum & Snark last winter, is currently completing a unique artist’s residency at Department in Ryde, supported by Ryde Arts.
A canvas spanning space and time
Kathy isn’t just confined to the indoors. She is utilising both the inside studio space and the external environment to experiment with new concepts and establish her artwork.
This results in an outside-in three-dimensional painting, a creative fusion that binds place, space and people together in an engaging visual narrative.
Kathy is now assembling painted marks that wrap around the bus stop, transforming an everyday setting into a dynamic art piece that evolves with the ebb and flow of Ryde’s daily life.
Engaging the public in artistic expression
But her innovative approach doesn’t end there. In an exciting finale to Kathy’s project, she is inviting members of the public waiting at the bus stop to leave their mark on the installation.
Utilising paint to express their current emotions, these participants will have the chance to manifest their feelings on the very panes of the bus stop itself.
Kathy, describing herself as a site-responsive artist, explains her vision,
“When I am inside the studio space – in the window – at the Department building, I see people waiting for buses, buses coming and going, and generally the hubbub and buzz of Ryde daily life.
“It seemed perfectly logical to include this in my response to the residency.”
The power of public participation
In fact, providing people the chance to use paint has been an enlightening experience not only for Kathy, but also for the participants, many of whom haven’t held a paintbrush since their school days.
Kathy’s initiative presents a chance for them to reconnect with their creative side, proving to be a resoundingly positive experience for all involved.
The public’s response to Kathy’s innovative project is strikingly different from the reactions elicited by her previous installation in Sandown a few months ago, further proving the diverse and versatile nature of art and its interpretations.
Art endures beyond the canvas
The final day for viewing Kathy Williams’ unique installation is today (Thursday 13th June), yet fragments of this captivating public art project will remain visible over the weekend.
This offers a chance for latecomers to glimpse the remnants of a living artwork that symbolises Ryde’s vibrant community spirit and day-to-day life.
Share your thoughts
Public opinion on this inclusive art project is actively encouraged, so feel free to voice your thoughts on this refreshing approach to public art installations.
