IYP - ART REVIEW

[MariaHolohan]

Desperately seeking inspiration and following the advice of artist Maria Holohan, I took the relatively short train journey from Cardiff Central to the ‘Illustrate Your Point’ exhibition in Swindon Town. I was not disappointed.

The fusion of art and poetry the exhibition offered provoked my mind to wonder in a way that neither medium could on its own, not to mention the fact that both poems and art in almost every case were outstanding in their own right.

Janice and Lawrences’s ‘Here a Strange Tide Turns’ immediately grabbed my senses, combining the surreal with the prophetic in a masterly fashion.

Tony, Andre and Robert’s collaboration ‘Basset Bikers Brigade’ is a fitting, timely and thought provoking tribute to the fallen soldiers of the Afgan conflict. The spirit of camaraderie between bikers subtly linked to a similar camaraderie between soldiers. The machine gun on the union jack reminds us not to forget that we are a nation at war. Whilst on this theme I must also mention Teresa and Vicky’s haunting and emotionally charged work which shows us the pain and suffering of the innocent civilian victims in ‘The Pain Tree.’

‘Into His Heart’ by Tracey and Katherine is a heart warming collaboration of art and poetry which illustrates perfectly the delicate wonder of a fathers love for his daughter.

I felt that with ‘Late Summer Haiku’ both artist and poet were selling themselves short. I was disappointed not to see Gordon Dickinson’s piece ‘Chaos’ in its full chaos theory inspired glory. ‘Chaos’ would also have given Mick the chance to shine however I hear Gordon isn’t big on poetry so I presume Mick had to keep his word count down for this one!

‘Witness’ by Heather and Nick is a piece that really got me thinking. At first it’s difficult to grasp but in a few moments you realise the message. What are we doing to our children? Caged like animals for their protection or our own convenience in an ever more soulless, capitalist and paranoid world.

Finally I come to the collaboration of Hilda and Maria Holohan ‘God Knows What Time She is?’ The inevitability of time is explored in this work, what is done is done, time will keep coming at you, but will it heal? The piece speaks to me of a destiny that cannot be changed but also of hope for the future that you can make your own. If my hair wasn’t such a rampant mess I’d literally take my hat off to all the poets and artists who exhibited their work at ‘Illustrate Your point.’ Thank you for your recommendation Miss Holohan, I found my inspiration!

Gareth John Lewis (Screenwriter)