In hope and fear we go – #23

An exploration of the mental turbulence of going Whenever we go somewhere, we have some hopes, fears, desires and expectations. We may experience losses or gains by going. These emotions create mental turbulence.  ‘In hope and fear we go’ is a reflection on this mental turbulence. It asks us to consider the different extents of…

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MindMesh #22

MindMesh#22

As the mind turns Sometimes the waves create beauty and harmony Sometimes they are chaotic, messy, ugly Sometimes, just dull But they keep on turning making thier  mesh in our heads. This installation combines: Video with sound The video represents the activity of life that generates thoughts, emotions, doubts, excitement, fear… And like life and…

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Embrace 2021

Embrace 2021

Embrace 2021 is made on Yupo translucent paper with watercolour and acrylic inks. It was made to acknowledge the difficulties experienced in 2020, knowing that there was still more to come, yet somehow we had to embrace the moment, embrace the year, embrace movement, and as best we could embrace each other.

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A demo of watercolour in coffee

Still from video showing the making of an image with coffee and watercolour. Attentography. Graeme Balfour Art

This is an example of one of the more ‘muddy’ pieces where the colours are combined to a brownish mix. This to me reflects the more dull mind, where everything is mixed to a dull sludge. It’s noticeable how the piece dries much darker and less colourful than at the end of the sequence.  

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The journey to watercolours from light-through-glass-photography

I often get asked how and why I added painting with watercolours to photographing refracted light through glass. The simple answer is that while my fascination with light and glass continues, it is expression of the workings of the human mind that is the core of what inspires me. And to this end, the flow,…

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In two minds – an installation in progress for the Apartment #10 event

In two minds (lower mind) by Graeme Balfour

In two minds is a work still in evolution, building on the recurring theme of the human mind, based on the concept of saṃskāra in yoga philosophy. Saṃskāra are the imprints in the mind that every thought, emotion, desire, feeling or action create. The build-up of these imprints over time forms habitual pathways of thought that keeps…

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The Gold Angel has arrived

While packing up things after In Hope and Fear We Go at The Apartment #9 event, I noticed a shape emerging on the wall that made me think of an Angel. And since it was red and green and it was late November, I got to thinking maybe I could make something vaguely Christmassy with this.…

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In hope and fear we go

Steps leading up to the glass objects in different colours with light passing through on to a screen behind. A video is playing above showing various scenes of sea and travel.

In hope and fear we go November 17, 2017 In hope and fear we go is an ongoing exploration of the idea that when we go somewhere, be it for leisure, for work or to flee some adversity, there is some mental disturbance, the mind turning over thoughts of hopes, fears, desires, doubts. The original…

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Hope and fear on the beach

Light through bottle on the sand

While on the beach in Holkham Bay, Norfolk, I noticed the sunlight refracting through my bottle of water on to the sand. This got me thinking about the relative ease of my journey, full of hope for much-needed summer relaxation, compared to those crossing the Mediterranean hoping to arrive alive and dreaming of a life less…

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