BETHAN MCFADDEN & IDA ASADI: MYTH AND DEATH

Ida Asadi and Bethan McFadden present 'Myth and Death', an exhibition of drawing, ceramics and mixed media sculpture, exploring the teachings of mythology and folklore, and the universal experience of death and grief. Through intuitive making and refined practices, these artists create sensory and contemplative work inspired by the natural world and the human condition. Both are local artists and alumni of Falmouth University.

Bethan McFadden:

Bethan creates works on paper and mixed media sculptures.

Impermanence and different states of consciousness are prevalent themes in her work and she takes inspiration predominantly from nature and meditative experiences.

Having recently lost her brother, she has been exploring her own grief through her work, and also contemplating the wider realm of possibilities of what might happen to us after we die. Her focus has been on searching for a balance between the heavy viscerality of the physical world, and the lighter, unfettered, spiritual realms. Her material choices reflect these two opposing aspects of life (and death). She uses tactile silicone to create textured sculptures, embodying the sensory world; and precise and delicate drawing to express her spiritual contemplations and reflections on grief.

She holds a Bachelors in Drawing from Camberwell College of Art, and has recently completed a Masters in Prosthetic Effects at Falmouth University.

Ida Asadi:

Ida works primarily in clay and uses ceramics to traverse between the worlds of functional form, aesthetic principles and spiritual relics. Her work often bridges these different paths by starting as pots and developing into sculpture; harking back to the original uses of pottery.

Having graduated with a Fine Art BA from Falmouth University, Ida later went on to complete a Postgraduate Diploma in Art Therapy at Metafora in Barcelona. Both have informed her practice in different ways; the first encouraging her to develop a critical eye, and the other inviting intuitive-making into her work.

Before, during, between and after, Ida has been reading and enquiring into mythology and folklore, which consistently feed her work. For her, ancient archetypal images and mythological tropes speak directly to this incredible mystery of being a human. They make their way into her sculptures in the guise of characters, and form, shapes and words.

Ida’s biggest influence is nature. Her colour palette is muted and suggests an earthiness that is inherent and natural. Borrowing ideas from the natural world around her she also uses found pieces in her work; dried flowers, dug up wild clay. By doing so she feels she is honouring that which is an already perfect art form and teacher- Nature.

‘The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth." - Chief Seattle

Bethan: www.bethanmcfadden.co.uk @bethan_mcfadden_art   Ida: @thebluehalfhour

BETHAN MCFADDEN & IDA ASADI: MYTH AND DEATH

Tuesday 8th – Saturday 12th April, 10am-5pm    

Private View: Tuesday 8th April, 5pm- 7pm 

Free Entry. Everyone welcome!

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