Author’s Note: Every Saturday, I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I'm fascinated by artistic practice – it's not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist's unique approach shapes their work, making it more than a finished piece. Just imagine having a weekly update from your favourite living artist. How cool would that be?
If this piece is too long for email, you can read it here in Substack. Or download the app.
I haven’t potted any plants this week, I just wanted something to rhyme with ‘grants’. That said, I did gift some plants to a neighbour this week and she bought us a box of chocs like those.
Hayama 2025 Artist Residency
I applied! Wish me luck!
After applying previously, I feel that I’ve improved my application.
The brief:
Please provide a brief statement about your creative interests and a description of how you anticipate using the time if selected for a residency, e.g., continuing working on current projects, experimentation, conducting research, reading, writing, etc. (300 word max.)
Here’s what I wrote:
My creative interests centre on drawing and painting—passions kindled during my 1980s childhood spent drawing animals, cartoons, and designing video game covers.
I’m interested in people; I’m a quiet observer. Through my art, I reveal and disarm human issues. I intertwine memento mori and spiritual themes with influences from the 1980s and 1990s pop culture I grew up in. I enjoy painting with acrylics and oils on canvas.
Although I stepped away from art at 17 after a discouraging comment from a tutor, I reignited my artistic journey in 2019. Since then, I’ve pursued a professional art career, participating in numerous exhibitions and working alongside fellow artists in a shared studio within an old post office.
I’m planning my biggest exhibition to date in September 2025, titled Memento Vivere (Remember to Live). It aims to awaken visitors from their habitual modern-day slumbers and open their eyes to life’s everyday miracles. Using a mix of death and humour, the display will consist of a looping video art piece and 18–24 paintings exploring personal and universal truths of life and death.
At Hayama, I’ll spend time journalling, researching, reflecting, and painting for the show.
I’d like to share a few ideas around what I’d paint:
Corpse: The first time I saw a dead body was my older brother’s. When the veil was lifted by the undertaker, I was overwhelmed with grief, then a wave of peace washed over me as I sat with him.
Dead at Desk: A US employee died at her desk due to extreme overwork in 2024.
Nintendo Game Covers: Featuring the simple pleasures of life and reminders of death, linking childhood and paying homage to Japanese technology.
Lessons from planning the Crypt gallery exhibition
It's been a slow one this week. I’m exhausted and haven’t had the energy, but as I said last week, we plod along!
The Crypt Gallery is legitimately booked now, it was reserved before but the booking is official!
I’ve also applied for a £1500 grant from a-n
£1500 didn’t seem a lot when I’ve got around £20k to cover the exhibition costs, but it forced me to be creative and cover more than I expected. Check out the breakdown below.
To any UK artists, check out a-n!
I did my first Substack LIVE
I wanted to prepare for my first LIVE video, but then I was about to drive back home and thought “Why not do it now?” so I did.
Thanks for the question:
Best wishes and deep blessings,
SLART.
Q: What has been the highlight of your week?
If you missed my last post, it’s here, read it now, if you wish:
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