Artist Spotlight: Julia McKinlay

We catch up with Bar Lane resident Julia McKinlay to talk about her art and how she plans to use the space to her advantage. When discussing her first weeks, Julia also touches on some of her latest inspirations, ideas and plans for the future…

1] How have your first few weeks been at Bar Lane?

JM] Busy, I had only really just moved in when I left for a research trip to America. I travelled from LA to Seattle over the course of three weeks, I covered nine states and three thousand five hundred miles. I am interested in extreme environments and ecosystems so I decided to take a trip that would explore some really dramatic geology and a wide range of environments. The first week was all desert, which was something I have never experienced before. In Zion National Park I saw wild turkeys and I hiked up to Angels Landing, which was a five mile scramble on a metre wide trail. I hiked down into the Grand Canyon, and I was lucky enough to spend a night with the Navajo in Monument Valley where I slept in a traditional hogan. I was glad to get out of the heat when I got to Colorado, and into bear country. Rocky Mountain National Park was one of my favourite places; I hiked around many of the lakes and up to Andrews Glacier, in The Grand Tetons in Wyoming I went mountain biking through a herd of bison. In Yellowstone I saw geysers, mud pots, bacteria blankets and a black bear. I then moved on to stay in a ranch in Montana, where I went horseback riding in the mountains and visited a taxidermy workshop. Then up to Glacier on the border with Canada, which had severe fog, mountain lakes, and ospreys. My last stop before Seattle was Mount Ranier, a hike in 2ft of snow was a brilliant end to a trip that started in the Nevada desert. Since being back I have been in the studio going through my photographic research and I am beginning to make some drawings based on some of the things I have seen.

2] What projects are you working on at the moment?

JM] I am in the beginning stages of a new body of work, inspired by my trip to America. I am particularly interested in defence mechanisms in animals and plants that have specialised to cope with predators and extreme environments. The work will develop from this idea, and will also investigate the relationship between drawing and sculpture.

3] How did you get started in art?

JM] It’s always been something I have done.

4] Who or what are your biggest personal inspirations and why?

JM] Natural history collections like the Natural History Museum and the Hunterian. Much of my work comes from reading books about natural history, and documentaries by David Attenborough. Research trips like the one to America are also very inspiring. Some of the artists that have been an influence are Charles Avery and his project The Islanders, for the depth of detail and narrative and the strong relationship between his drawings and sculptures. I am interested in Claire Barclay’s use of materials, and how her work responds to the exhibition space. Anish Kapoor’s use of scale, form and colour has also been an influence.

5] What are your aims for the coming months and what do you want to achieve?

JM] My priority is to get going on some new sculptures and drawings. I am also thinking about some prints that I would like to make in the print workshop. I have an exhibition in November, so I’m planning something for that.

6] Are you able to use your space at Bar Lane effectively to expand and evolve your work?

JM] My studio is where I go to make drawings, go through my research, make models and diagrams. My have a process led practice; it is through making that ideas form and work develops, so it is really valuable having a space that allows me to experiment. I make sculptures that form connections within the space they are installed, so my studio allows me to experiment with the relationships that form between my objects and sculptures. I make quite large-scale work, so a lot of planning happens before I begin construction. I will be able to make smaller work in my studio, however a large part of my practice is working with technicians and specialists who work with specific materials and help with the construction of my large scale work elsewhere.

7] What has been your greatest achievement to-date as an artist?

JM] I was really pleased to be invited to be part of the Royal Scottish Academy’s RSA New Contemporaries 2010 exhibition this year. It was fantastic to be in an exhibition with artists from all over Scotland. I made a new group of sculptures for the exhibition, and it was a fantastic exhibition space.

8] What are some of your biggest challenges on a daily basis?

JM] [I am] definitely trying to balance my job with my practice. I think most artists have this problem; there just isn’t enough time to do everything. I’m always trying to find more time to be in the studio, or out doing research.

9] What’s the best thing about Bar Lane Studios?

JM] It’s good to have a busy environment to work in, with lots of artists around you. It is also really great to have a gallery attached to the studios with a diverse programme of exhibitions and the print studio is going to be really valuable.

10] Tell us about your typical day when it comes to creating new art?

JM] I don’t really have a typical day, I could be planning and model making one day, and in construction the next. If I’m making something out of wood, then I can spend weeks sanding, joining and painting. Or if I’m casting then I’ll be making moulds and mixing and pouring cement, plaster or rubber. When I am working in metal then I work with technicians, so I’ll be in their workshops instead.

For more information visit Julia‘s official website.

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Bar Lane Studios’ opening night [June 25, 2010] A View From The Inside

On Bar Lane‘s opening night, things are looking very positive. Not because the summer sun is still shining (at 7pm), but because I stand looking at the entrance to the building and I feel a great sense of pride at being involved in the whole process. As a reporter, it is my job to observe proceedings, comment and take lovely pictures to break up any lengthy rambling, so I’ll start doing that in a few words time, but yes, it is clear to me that what Ben Clowes (Project Manager) and the staff at Bar Lane are offering tonight is a glimpse at the massive potential for this impressive structure to change (and shape) the lives of many creatives in the Yorkshire region and, as such it feels very special.

I enter through the side door of the building and am greeted instantly with vibrant and stunning artwork sourced from local artists who got in touch before the opening to have their work displayed, it’s a fascinating sight and great for this writer to see visual evidence of the talent that’s on offer regionally and locally – great stuff (and congrats, of course to all of the artists who managed to have their work shown – I hope you manage to sell it!).

So, what can Bar Lane offer artists and art lover in the York area? I share a few words with some of the artists who are now residents about what they hope to get out of this fantastic resource.

“IT’S GOING TO BE NICE TO GET MESSY” – NATHAN CHENERY

The first person I grab to sit down and talk to about his thoughts on Bar Lane is local drawer and painter David Patrick (pictured below). The artist, who has spent time on the committee for another not-for-profit project York Open Studios before now, says that a residency at Bar Lane will help him expand and evolve his art. “It is the perfect for me to move forward with my work, simply because I live in an apartment in York’s city centre and the space just isn’t big enough.”

David goes on to expand on how he thinks having the studio in York will benefit the community and help local artists to thrive. It’s obviously going to be very important. Other museums in the area don’t really have time for local artists and as a result, these talented people get very little exposure”, he adds. “Here, it’s all about local artists and we can share a gallery with the likes of Matisse and Dali – it’s a fantastic opportunity to learn, develop and meet with other people.”

Speaking on the next evolution of his work, David says: “I want to open up my style a lot further and leave room for experimentation – I hope to push some new styles while focusing on improving as a painter and drawer.”

The second artist in residence that I meet is acclaimed “stained glass-worker” Julia Spall. Her innovative and passionate approach to creating has allowed her to create truly inspired pieces – having worked on glass for years as part of the York Glaziers Trust (working on and preserving the glass at York Minister was a particular highlight) until last year when she started her business, this artist is not short on experience. Julia (pictured below) explains that she will use her new space at Bar Lane Studios to expand and develop her career. She says: “I want to do more tuition work and having the studio will give me a base – it will be so much easier to work from and hopefully I will be able to do some workshops and get some commissions!”

The scope and diversity of Bar Lane‘s new crop of artists is very credible. After meeting with Julia, I ventured into the studio next door and found an interesting artist who works in a variety of mediums including site-specific installation and sculptures.  Julia McKinlay (pictured below) is keen to become more established in York having returned to her place of birth after spending time studying in Glasgow. She says, “While York has always had a great community of talented artists, it has been lacking in a bigger space to work, or even to hold exhibitions – I can see Bar Lane making a huge difference to artists in this city as there will be a lot more exposure.” Julia explains that she is looking forward to experimenting with plastic and getting her hands on more industrial materials in the new space, and I, for one am looking forward to seeing how that comes out!

While I couldn’t pin elusive local painter Nathan Chenery down for a photograph, I did manage to get a snap of his new studio (below) and grab him for a few seconds to get his thoughts on working at Bar Lane. He considers for a moment and then happily talks about his desire to use the space to its full potential. “It’s going to be nice to get messy and I am looking forward to using lots of colours.

“It’s going to give me (and everyone else) a great chance to network and collaborate – I think that’s how Bar Lane will be great for artists in York, as a hub for people to talk and share ideas.”

Bar Lane has not just benefitted local artists in the community but the space has also been providing opportunities for young people to work in the arts sector. York St. John’s theatre student and performance artist, Kiran Tanna talks about his duties as Front Of House for the studios. He comments: “My role basically involves talking to customers and making sales.”

“It’s been great for me to see all of these local artists get their work up next to the likes of Dali and John Squire and there are going to be more chances for people to get involved in the future. The space to create is huge and with the AV

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  room, Mac studio and loads of teaching courses and workshops, Bar Lane is shaping up to be a really positive resource – other galleries in this city don’t show local artists’ work for very long and so there’s a real niche for York there.”

Next up, I found Zoe Marsh (studio space pictured above) on the second floor of the building – she creates homemade jewellery under the name Glance and recently she has had her work exposed internationally by Vogue magazine. Zoe is now looking to develop her brand with the help of those around her at Bar Lane, she says: “I have been making jewellery for five years – I also do glass making on the side.

“It’s fantastic to have a dedicated workspace at Bar Lane alongside other artists and creative people and it’s going to be really important as there are not many great facilities like this in York – I am already meeting some very interesting people and I feel at home.”

I followed my short chat with Zoe by speaking to an artist who is a little different to the other new studio occupants. One of the most interesting and dedicated new artists to enter Bar Lane is Stan Sandig – the 64-year-old has a brain disorder (as a result of a bleed in the brain) and so he requires 12 hours of sleep each evening and two hours each day. The diverse artist (pictured below with his mannequin, named ”Monique’) says that using Bar Lane will give him the freedom to work as he pleases without any pressure. “I have finally found a space that is practical for me to work in at a price that I can afford.

“I have previously worked in isolation and so it was difficult for me to practice my profession and now I can be constantly surrounded by people to keep me inspired while I am awake – I love being in touch with art.”

Moving on, dynamic local illustrator Chris Jevons (pictured) explains how Bar Lane can provide a gateway for art students into work. He says: “It can be so hard to go from uni straight into work but with Bar Lane people can get the experience and contact that they need through the professional staff and support.

“The cool thing about this place is that, even if you are not an artist you can still come around, look at people’s work and feel inspired – I am really looking forward to getting to know some of the other artists, sharing ideas and trying new stuff for myself.”

Sarah Knowles (pictured) is a multimedia artist who works in a variety of mediums including stitch paper, paint and jewellery. She explains that it’s Bar Lane‘s ethos that first caught her eye. “When I first found out about Bar Lane it was because of the not-for-profit idea and I had been looking for space – it’s great to have residency here and it is certainly a golden opportunity.”

Sarah expands on how she will use the studios space to further her career. She says: “It’s exciting to be part of a creative community and it will be great for me to network with people from other disciplines, I am looking forward to trying out oil-painting in the future too.” Continuing the positive mood, abstract painter Mark Fieldsend (below) comments on what working at Bar Lane offers. He says: “It’s going to be great really – there’s a diverse community here and this space is a perfect hub for creativity.

“I am really looking forward to sitting down with people in the cafe to talk about ideas and getting to know them better.”

Towards the end of the night, I managed to catch a representative of Creative York, who have been behind Bar Lane Studios‘ efforts since day one. Heather Niven comments on how pleased she is that Bar Lane has been received so well. “We are looking forward to working with Bar Lane a lot more in the future because there is great potential for the artists here to mentor graduates in the city.”

It’s positive for the artists who have now taken up residence at Bar Lane to be able to work with a group of people because many have previously worked in isolation – there are a number of opportunities to make progress using the wealth of space and facilities, and I am really proud of Ben and his team for what they have achieved and taking the project from just a concept up to this point. “

Before I leave, I share some words with an artist who will play a huge part in the gallery’s future before the end of 2010, we met outside the venue where I took the nice photo below. The name is Keith Hopewell (his collection of forward thinking “street art” is internationally recognised  as ‘Part 2ism‘), and in November of this year he will join the list of acclaimed artists who have had their work exhibited at Bar Lane when he brings a retrospective career-spanning collection of  conceptual paintings (from 1995 to 2010) for show in the gallery. As someone who was born in York and left to go to London because of the capital’s thriving art market, Keith recognises the importance of Bar Lane and how it can play a role in putting York on the map as a centre for art in the UK. He says: “It’s great for these artists because they can network and create together and that’s what it’s all about.

“When I started out there really weren’t these kinds of places open in York, and there hasn’t been much recently, so  it’s fantastic to see how the artistic community has developed in the city and I am pleased to be bringing my work back here later on in the year.”

Indeed. Good luck everyone.

Thanks for coming!

For more information visit the new website.

Kind regards.

Words and images: Dom Smith

You can hear some audio interviews with Julia Spall and Zoe Marsh   recorded by Mike Leigh Cooper.