Transition
Black Earth: Displaced Drawing, Onya McCausland, Carbon and Manganese pigment on panel and wall, 2008. Photographer Sam Roberts
Transition is the second in a series of three exhibitions which look at the way artists interact with their surroundings. Using the practice of drawing, Mary Yacoob and Onya McCausland have taken different but complementary approaches to exploring the landscape around the gallery.
Yacoob's drawings offered 'proposals' for alternative realities - a chance to see familiar surroundings in a new light. Using the artists' own photographs of Burnley's urban architecture and rural landscape, a series of site responsive drawings were produced which encourage the viewer to reconsider what they see on a day to day basis.
The drawings picked up on, and exaggerated, visual details contained within the photographs, such as the architectural styling of a shopping centre, to create artworks that use repetition, geometry and rotation to suggest an alternative 'look' for the natural or urban landscape being considered.
McCausland's drawings were a response to Burnley's history and natural landscape. Three large wall panels were created using mineral deposits hand collected from settling lagoons at local mine sites. The iron oxide-rich deposits, collected from Deerplay Hill, Old Meadows and Clough Foot mines, provided a deep orange pigment used by the artist to create panels of solid colour.
The solid panels were then systematically and rhythmically worked to release pigment used to draw onto the wall next to the panel. The transition of pigment from panel to wall is representative of the displacement of mineral deposits from their subterranean home to the surface; a natural occurrence that starts to influence the geographical and historical identity of a place - in this case Burnley.
It's individual and I love the fact that she's used Burnley's natural resources. - Emily Cannon
I like it a lot. It's different - Ahl Abdin
I found it really interesting. The work reminds me of hills it was cool - Danielle Mason
Was brilliant really enjoyed what you did nd the story behind it really amazing keep it up !! x - Jodie Duerden
Creative how the local areas were used on the artwork J - Bethany Simcook
Found this ladies work really interesting once she had explained her story of why she choice this type of work J - Naomi Hillam
Was really interesting really enjoyable, loved the story behind it. - Rachelle Stratton
I really enjoyed viewing your work also you explain how you made the stuff to draw with really well to me thanks I loved it! X Emma Hardacre
Thought provoking and inspiring - VW Scott
Your concept and the actual work was an interesting idea of how you can relate the mineral to a landscape like piece by transition - Burnley College Student
A fantastic way of showing two different thinking patterns! Lynne White