The Infinity of Eight

5 - 15 October 2022

Opening Night: 6 October 6 - 9 pm

Collective Gallery
18 Holywell Hill
St. Albans AL1 1BZ

Eight: The symbol of the Infinite; of ancient understandings timeless and boundless.

In this multi-sensory show, eight international artists explore the aspects of Infinity that resonate with them on a deeply personal level and influence their daily lives.

From the Physical to the Sensual, from the Cycle of Life and the Rhythms in Nature to Duality and Empowerment.

The Infinity symbol itself is within each of us via the endlessly looping strands of our DNA.

Come and explore your own relationship to the Infinite in this fascinating and thought-provoking show.

Esperanza Gomez-Carrera

The number 8 apart from representing the infinity when it is horizontal is much more.

For me “Eight” is the number of balance, justice and renewal. Eight means the beginning of something new. The eighth day is the beginning of a new week. In the musical scale with the eight starts a new octave. In many cultures the 8 is considered the bond of union that relates our world with another better, bigger and much more developed world. Eight years ago precisely, my life changed in a total turnaround. I started a second life, a new me was reborn, and that’s why I feel very identified with this number. My work studio in London is number 8 and I have an apartment in the South of Spain called "El Ocho".

In antiquity the number 8 was considered "the desired goal". On it’s way to salvation the soul had to cross the 7 heavens where each of the 7 planets was. At the end of the journey the soul reached the eighth sphere that was formed by all the immobile stars. The eighth sphere was where the gods lived.

And we must not forget The Noble Eightfold Path of Buddha.

Esra Kizir Gökçen

Esra's art is about contemplation, consciousness, and spirituality. Her art is deeply aligned with her emotional landscape, exploring the oscillations between the Self and The Whole universe.

In this series of water-based media and sometimes collage, Esra explores nature maps and emotional dislocation.

Through her work Esra questions the randomness of life, expressed through the flowing of ink, hues and acrylics, reacting with water. She favours the vertical format mirroring the human form and height, and the flowing of ideas, blood and information throughout the body. The collection also includes giclee prints of ink based works.

For The Infinity of Eight, Esra invites us to consider infinity as the constant exchange of energy and matter, and the movement of being. Infinity as a matrix, a cosmic womb where all the creation and evolution can take place. This fluidity is articulated in the interaction between the viewer and the work, and her work invites audiences to discover the delicate details.

Carolan Lyne

I am one of the group of eight international artists exploring the theme of Infinity.
Infinity is often described as a limitless, boundless, space.
My interpretation is from a spiritual perspective and I would describe it as Consciousness and the creator of all things.
My experiential understanding of one consciousness has been instrumental in letting go of old beliefs and behaviour patterns and abled me to express my creativity fully in the present moment.
Managing and indeed thriving with failing eye sight has been very challenging and by totally accepting the situation, I have found new ways of creating meaningful art work.

Inspiration
The natural world and other artists/writers are a source of inspiration to me.
Wassily Kandinsky, Frank Bowling, Gillian Ayres, Kimsooja and Agnes Martin are a few of the many artists that I admire. Similarly, I am a great admirer of the poignant writings of mystic Sufi poet Rumi and also the ancient texts of the Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu.
These artist/writers each have a unique approach to their art and it seems very evident to me that they are greatly influenced by both the spiritual and the human condition. I believe it is this aspect of their work that resonates so deeply with me.

My work
This new working practice has allowed me to explore my creativity more freely and with new vigour. Initially I wasn’t sure where the process would lead but I knew I had to immerse myself completely in it.
I began each new work by performing a simple silent ritual which involved writing empowering words repeatedly onto the canvas, sometimes filling the entire canvas and turning it at intervals. The words that came to me during this initial stage seem to emerge naturally and I had a profound sense that I was engaged in the act of embedding them within the layers of paint. At this stage of the work I had no preconceived ideas for the final outcome of the work.
I soon discovered, that initially, working on a larger scale helped me to experience a much deeper connection to the work in progress. I also came to realise that sometimes when the inevitable mishaps and spillages happen they can often be seen as a blessing and incorporated in a meaningful way into the composition.
This purely visceral approach to painting has allowed me to finally work again with a sense of ease, spontaneity and purpose. The juxtapositions of bold colour and a dynamic sense of space and movement are recurring characteristic elements in my work
The unification of the figurative with the abstract is a current theme in my work the outcome being both familiar and mysterious, a conversation between the known and the
unknown, the tangible and the intangible.

“What you are searching for is where you are searching from” St Francis of Assisi

www.artistlyne.com
email

artistlyne@yahoo.co.uk

Helen Campbell

We are living, breathing beings, participants in the mysterious dance of life. And we each have an amazing mind that questions, investigates and creates, giving us the illusion that we have power over Nature and can bend it to our will. But Nature is not so easily ruled and when we fall out of the rhythm of the seasons we feel unsure, a little out of kilter, we are quite literally ungrounded. Our intuition is telling us to detach from the digital world and step outside, our instincts speak more wisdom than our busy brains, we just need to get better at listening.

These paintings are inspired by moments in time when I’ve really felt ‘plugged-in’ to the natural world. The Cornish landscape plays a major part; it’s where I feel closest to the elements and in these paintings I’m trying to convey a sense of how it feels to be basking in the warmth of a glorious sunset or clinging to the rocks in a howling gale.

I always paint in oils, often just using my hands. I have to paint standing up, even when I work on small canvasses, so I can really throw some energy into the brushwork, especially when I start a fresh painting. My logic is that even if you can’t see the energy in the finished painting you’ll sense it’s there.

It’s my hope that the viewer will feel a connection that goes beyond the visual and taps into something deeper - which I realize is a grandiose aim but if we’re thinking of the Infinite we may as well think big!

Marianne Frank

The art I create is my life. My life as a woman and a human being both in the physical and the emotional world. A life with boundaries created by our surroundings, society and our own psychological and emotional self.

I've worked for a long period around the issues of isolation and immobility that various situations and experiences leave with us.

I work mainly in oil, as I prefer the slow process that the medium demands. Oil gives time to stand back and reflect. Reflecting and awareness is crucial as it creates hope. Hope creates opportunities for a fulfilling and rich life, something I strongly feel we all deserve.

Texture plays a big part in my work as I find it beautiful and representative of life. Life leaves scars and they become part of our personality, identity and if we embrace them, I find they help carry us forward.

Nicola Weir

Infinity makes me think of the Universe, from the stars above in the depths of the night sky, to the tiniest living cells – microcosms of life itself. The cycle of planetary movement, and nature’s cycle of renewal, death and rebirth. Repeating patterns within our world that evolve eternally, on microscopic and enormous scale.

The stars and planets guide us, as they have done since ancient times. Mother Earth grounding, nurturing and creating life.

Nature inspires me, the power of plants and flowers used by man since early times. Medicinal and herbal properties, folklore and natural remedies forgotten over time.

This passion finds its way into my work. With mixed media, print and frottage I use my foraged finds and explore their natural essence. They become a collection of delicate ‘fancies’, layered in tissue, precious and part of my collage making process. Connecting with words and themes, they celebrate nature’s power.

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Claire Frank

MUSIC MEDICINE

SPIRALLING PERFORMANCE AND WORKSHOP

POWER OF ROSE

LIVE MUSIC

MEDITATIVE DRAWING WORKSHOP

CLAIRE FRANK - HICCUPS

The Infinity of Eight

16 - 28 August 2022
Opening Night: 16 August 6 - 8:30 pm

Dundas Street Gallery, 6 Dundas St., Edinburgh EH3 6HZ

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Morag Music Insta

Morag Innes

Music Medicine Session

18 August 1:30 - 3:00 pm

Music Medicine ‘You can create harmony in your life’

In this Music Medicine workshop, we will explore the 4 elements of music and play together to relax, heal, connect, and express ourselves. Music is widely proven to make our bodies and minds healthier. It's great fun and is for everyone. Absolutely no experience is needed. Easy to play instruments, drums and percussion are all provided.

The workshop will be facilitated by Morag Innes, founder of Moving Music. Morag is a qualified Social Worker, Music Medicine practitioner and Drum circle facilitator.

Morag has over 20 years’ experience providing opportunities for individuals and communities to explore the moving power of music. She has worked with people from all walks of life and is passionate in her belief that we are all musicians. Using easy to play and unusual instruments her inclusive friendly and fun approach creates a safe space to play. Participants will be supported to grow in skills and confidence and to discover and awaken their own inner music.

Fion Power

Dance/ Movement Artist /Yoga teacher
Fionuala began her dance career in the early 90’s with The Royal Ballet Co. Covent Garden moving then to New York to study & dance with The Merce Cunningham Dance co.
Returning to the UK she was invited to join Jonathan Burrows Dance group followed by 2 years dancing & touring with The Matthew Hawkins Dance Co.
After this she joined cutting edge choreographer Wayne Mc Gregor’s Random Dance company.
In 2000 she received funding from The Royal ballet benevolent fund to train as as a yoga teacher & she also began creating solo work.
During her visits to India, Cambodia & Sri Lanka she began teaching creative dance & choreographing dance shows for children in schools & orphanages.
She then when onto to choreograph for Sage Dance Company in London & performed & created solo work collaborating with animators & visual artists both in London, Rome & Holland.
Currently Fionuala with 4 other collaborators has formed a her own dance company Lunar Salute & is performing in London at Blue Elephant Theatre as well as The Bloomsbury festival & at The Milennium Point in Birmingham.

Fion and Helen

Fion Power & Helen Campbell

Spiralling Performance
18 August 4:00 pm
19 August 4:00 pm

Workshop
20 August 2 pm

The human body is full of spirals! Moving in a circular, spiralling way is one of the most natural ways for the body to harmonise the innate movement inside our cells and DNA. The simple movement is beneficial for bones, joints, muscles and can be traced and enjoyed by everybody. Most importantly, it feels great!

During this workshop we will explore the movements of spiralling in connection with the Infinity sign, the figure of 8. Find out just how many spirals are endlessly taking place within the nerves and fibres of your brain and body to help you twist and balance. Take the opportunity to explore spiralling in your own body and learn how you can integrate the movement into the environment and with people around you. The session will conclude with a Spiralling Circle in which you will create a simple spiral movement in your body and pass it to the others.

The Infinity shape is a blueprint in our bodies and you will come away with a new appreciation of your own amazing physical make-up.

All ages, all abilities are welcome, seated or standing - even lying down! - Spiralling is easy, natural and open to all.

Edinburgh-based Boy:48 has been writing and recording music since 1988. His SoundCloud page has more than 200 tracks on it, and he posts new songs once a month; his nineteenth collection of tracks, Ink Traps, was released in December last year.
This will be a rare solo performance, showcasing intimate, humorous and beautiful material never heard before.

SoundCloud Link

Live Music
with David White
21 August Starting 2:30

Meditative Drawing

with Esra Kizir Gokcen

Workshop

23 August 1 - 3 pm

Duration: 2 hours

This workshop is focused on art and wellbeing. You don’t need to have great artistic skills to participate.

Participants will experience ink drawing and visual storytelling. It also includes inspirational background music, meditative drawing exercise, drawing tips, and technical support from the artist to create your own artwork.

All materials provided.

Please check https://www.esrakizirgokcen.com/365-drawings-challenge to get introduced to Esra’s meditative drawings.

Cost: An honesty box will be provided for a voluntary contribution.

Claire Frank

Actor and Script/Screenwriter

I'm a English/Danish actress and writer based outside London. I’m thrilled to be able to show you what sorts of projects I have been up to lately, and give you a glimpse of projects I have worked on in the past.
I create work that explores social issues, everything from mental health, feminism to crime and noire.

The Infinity of Eight

5 - 15 October 2022

Opening Night: 6 October 6 - 9 pm

Collective Gallery
18 Holywell Hill
St. Albans AL1 1BZ

The Infinity of Eight

16 - 28 August 2022
Opening Night: 16 August 6 - 8:30 pm

Dundas Street Gallery, 6 Dundas St., Edinburgh EH3 6HZ

Morag Music Insta

Fion Power & Helen Campbell

Spiralling Performance
18 August 4:00 pm
19 August 4:00 pm

Workshop
20 August 2 pm

More About Links:
Fion Power
Helen Campbell

The Healing Power of Rose
with Nicola Weir
21 August 12:30 pm

Live Music
with David White
21 August Starting 2:30

2025 The Artists' Pool
All Rights Reserved

The Infinity of Eight

5 - 15 October 2022 Opening Night: 6 October 6 - 9 pm

Collective Gallery 18 Holywell Hill St. Albans AL1 1BZ

The Infinity of Eight

16 - 28 August 2022 Opening Night: 16 August 6 - 8:30 pm

Dundas Street Gallery, 6 Dundas St., Edinburgh EH3 6HZ

Morag Music Insta

Fion Power & Helen Campbell Spiralling Performance 18 August 4:00 pm 19 August 4:00 pm Workshop 20 August 2 pm

More About Links: Fion Power Helen Campbell

The Healing Power of Rose with Nicola Weir 21 August 12:30 pm

Live Music with David White 21 August Starting 2:30

5 - 15 October 2022

Opening Night: 6 October 6 - 9 pm

Collective Gallery
18 Holywell Hill
St. Albans AL1 1BZ

16 - 28 August 2022
Opening Night: 16 August 6 - 8:30 pm

Fion Power & Helen Campbell

Spiralling Performance
18 August 4:00 pm
19 August 4:00 pm

Workshop
20 August 2 pm

More About Links:
Fion Power
Helen Campbell

The Healing Power of Rose
with Nicola Weir
21 August 12:30 pm

Live Music
with David White
21 August Starting 2:30