Artist Talk about residency

My process of this residency started over one year ago, as we heard that we have been chosen and as we we wrote to each other with Nicola. I anyway couldn't imagine how it would be to be actually in residency here. I have tried to handle with the subject of being a mother and being artist. I have made my blog about it. I got also new point of view on these questions as I met Helen Sargeant in Tampere, when she was We Are Resident artist there and made an article about her in Tampere art association magazine Täydellinen ympyrä.

Now when I have came her, I have found Islington Mill and We Are Residence -residency very stimulating and hospitable. I feel in this atmosphere that everything could be possible. I have found passion for work again. And there is so much I would like to do. I have met many talented and inspiriting artist and friend too I hope. There is still a lot of thing of the neighborhood what I would like to discover.

But I have also found very difficult to work with children around – which is a kind of good thing I guess because in home it will be more easy I just need to learn to realize it. Here boys depend so much on me. At home they feel cozy and safe and have their own routines and habits but here they are bit lost and they need us parents all of the time. I have tired to use every moment of evening after they sleep and Laurent have tired to take them somewhere to give me some space and also Nicola have helped very much. I have had chance to work a bit, but I keep on wondering, what if I would do this alone, I could skip correct meals and just work all of the time and in the evenings I could be social. Well, it is not the situation now and after all I feel very lucky and privileged to have this chance here now to myself and my family!

I didn't had much preconceptions about place and residency but I have to say that I have many times surprise positively by the beauty of place, friendliness of the people and even by the weather. This experience really is a top! I wish I could stay more long but at same time my son counts days to our coming home. 

Before coming here my plan for the residency was to involve all family to my art project as thinking that we are a group of explorers and we come to unknown world and collect some samples to explain how it is here. That have succeeded more or less, I had one dictation machine for collecting sound samples, that I have not use at all, same with one camera. Laurent have took excellent photos, children have collect some treasures from the sides of the road like I planned but they were not so interested about it. I have been drawing and took photos mainly here are some drawings and some pinhole photos.

My idea is to be present to catch something here the spirit of the place widely. I think if I could continue it at home, as I would like to have exhibition of this experience. It don't feel right, at least not now. These work are important because I have made them here.

Anyway, this residency was an opportunity that I am very thankful and that I will remember for long time. I wish I could come back here some day.