The latest piece of artwork has gone up on the Sidmouth Wallspace, with the theme of ‘beauty spots’.
The image brings together two meanings of the words: the traditional multi-view postcards of local scenery, and the cosmetic ‘beauty spots’ that were once pencilled on to women’s faces.
‘Sidmouth Beauty Spots’ by David Bellingham features old black-and-white photos of local views, scattered with round black dots like the ones used as cosmetics.
The artist’s creative concept also draws on language, the meaning of words and shapes relating to the image:
Beauty Spot. noun. a place of outstanding beauty. a small dark mark or spot worn on a woman’s face as an adornment.
Spot. noun. a particular place or a small, round mark.
Postcard. noun. a piece of thick paper or thin cardboard, typically rectangular, intended for writing and posting without an envelope.
Full Stop. noun. used at the end of a sentence or an abbreviation. Used to suggest that there is nothing more to say on a topic.
David Bellingham said: “As far as we know no one ever made a ‘Beauty Spots of Sidmouth’ postcard so we have made one to correct this historical hiccup.”
The new billboard coincides with a project also being led by David Bellingham in which local residents will create a one-day museum.
Three free workshops will be held at Kennaway House on Tuesday, April 9, Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11. Participants will be invited to bring along five items from their homes or toolsheds that could be creatively reclassified and exhibited 'as they are rather than as they were'. The One Day Museum will be open at Kennaway House on Saturday, April 13.
Louise Cole from Sidmouth School of Art said: “We are delighted to be working with David and to invite the community to get involved. His work is well known, his practice is often conceptual and humorous, enabling us to see everyday things in a new light.
“It’s a great opportunity for Sidmouth to make new artworks and experience a range of creative opportunities, supporting our vision to make Sidmouth the artwork and affirming Sidmouth on the cultural map.”
Free workshop places can be booked via this link: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/sidmouthcoastalcommunityhub/1190946
Places can also be booked via the Sidmouth School of Art website www.sidmouthart.org
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