Martha Lloyd-Morgan exhibition review October 2020 – Carole Hodgson
Rolling hills, winding rivers, poetic light, verdant greens, cool blues and autumnal browns, a rich patchwork of sea and land. These and more are the riches of our small corner of the world and artists have long been drawn to West Wales; its beauty immortalised in poem, painting, sculpture and song.
Indeed, for Carole Hodgson, the eminent London/St.Dogmaels based artist, Royal British Society of Sculptors fellow and Canfas’ latest must-see exhibitor, the Welsh landscape has proved a longstanding inspiration source. In conversation with Carole, when I asked what this area means to her and her work, she replied: “I have walked, drawn, seen, observed and experienced this western part of Wales since 1967, finding a great joy, inspiration and challenges in the particular landscape of the area.”
Carole’s exhibition at Canfas is a masterful celebration of texture, form, light, and shade. Simply but effectively displayed, Carole’s works are allowed to speak for themselves, without interference, and invite contemplation from every angle. This opportunity for interaction is important and in our conversation, Carole suggested that the growing pressure for artists to represent their work digitally can be problematic – “sculpture needs to be seen in the round…digital images can never show the mystery or poetry found in the original work.”
At a time when so much is on hold, when the arts are under attack and hopes are frequently frustrated, here is a chance to be part of something special, right here in Cardigan. Many of the sculptures on display have never been exhibited outside of London and Carole hoped, in staging this exhibition, to invite ‘a response from people who live in the same landscape but see it from another perspective.’
For me, herein lies the strength of Carole’s sculptural works – they are not a matter of definitives, absolutes or detached spectatorship, but perspective, creativity, and interactive inquisitiveness. Like all great art, they bear contemplation time and again – each person brings with them their own vision and, in turn, takes away something different in a constantly shifting, reflective relationship.
In the climate of anxiety, change and uncertainty wrought by 2020, this exhibition stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. Joan Bakewell perhaps said it best, “We seek the stillness of remote places to soothe our panic at global combust. We find in the deep reaches of rock and ravine a balm to modern anxieties. Hodgson’s work both derives from and pays regard to these present sensibilities.”
The arts need you now more than ever – pop in on your coffee break, tell your friends, plan a family trip, and bring your own perspective.
Carole’s work will be on display at Canfas, Cardigan until the 29th October 2020, be sure not to miss it!
Craft Festival Wales 2024 Call for Entries
Applications are invited from makers working to the highest standards. You make ceramics, glass, textiles, jewellery, metal, wood, plastics, mixed media, leather, recycled materials, printmaking and paper. Your work shows a dedication to quality of making, presentation and originality. You live anywhere in the world.
Craft Festival Wales / Gŵyl Grefft Cymru –
Cardigan. Craft Festival Wales will be held over three days at Cardigan Castle from 6 – 8 September 2024.
Embracing A Wonderful Summer & Exciting Times Ahead!
Canfas has had a very busy summer and is looking forward to upcoming events as well as some exciting news we want to share!
Iwan Bala ‘Ethnograff(r)ica’ Review by Cathryn Gwynn
For several decades. Iwan Bala’s raw, unflinching work has shone a light on issues of culture, national identity, history and politics. One of its hallmarks, of course, is the integration of text – as slogan, poetry or comment – in strong black lettering, in paintings where landscape and figure merge in powerful, urgent messages.
Sam Vicary Interview 2022
Sam Vicary talking about here June 2022 exhibtion here at Canfas
Affordable Art Fair – Hampstead Heath 2022
Canfas has been chosen to exhibit at Affordable Art Fair - Hampstead Heath 2022 - 5-8th May 2022
Interview with Elizabeth haines – February 2022
Elizabeth Haines talking about here February 2022 exhibtion here at Canfas
Lucy Burns ‘Folklore ‘ Interview
Lucy Burns talking about her February 2022 solo exhibition at Canfas
Film with Adrian Bradbury
Adrian Bradbury talking about his December 2021- January 2022 solo exhibition at Canfas
Film with Alison Lochhead
Alison Lochhead talking about her October 2021 exhibition'What's Happening?' at Canfas
Pete Bodenham – Neptune’s Bin Bag
Artist Pete Bodenham talks about his current exhibit at Canfas for the Art Of Protest gallery take over.
Angharad Taris – August 2021
Interview with Local artist Angharad Taris about her August 2021 exhibition at Canfas
Pete Bodenham – August 2021
August 2021 interview with Pete Bodenham about his ceramic exhibition
Adam Taylor – August 2021
Interview with Adam Taylor about his August 2021 window show in Canfas.
June 2021 window display interview with Natalie Chapman
A bright and vibrant window display with Natalie Chapman
ArtDrop 2021 interview with Natalie Chapman
Interview with ARTDROP curator Natalie Chapman
Natalie Chapman interview
Interview with Natalie Chapman about her social documentary photographic exhibition
Interview with Sam Vicary May 2021
10 minute film with Sam Vicary talking about her new exhibition at Canfas
Cymry ar Gynfas 2: Meinir Mathias and Iolo Williams S4C
Meinir Mathias paints wildlife expert Iolo Williams
Pauline Latham Interview April 2021
Interview with Pauline Latham about her 2021 show in Canfas.
Come and work with us at Canfas
Are you on Universal Credit and aged between 18- 24years? Would you like to work at a busy independent contemporary art gallery in the old market town of Cardigan in South Ceredigion?
Jonathan Retallick – short film
A short film of Jonathan Retallick introducing his exhibition at Canfas, December 2020
Rose Sanderson – December 2020
Interview with Rose Sanderson about her exhibition of 'Lichen' paintings at Canfas in December 2020
Suzanne Harris – Film November 2020
Interview with artist and painter Suzanne Harris about her November 2020 exhibition at Canfas
Ag Cain – October 2020
Ag Cain talking about his October Exhibition at Canfas - October 2020
Elizabeth Haines filmed Interview 2020
Filmed Interview with Elizabeth Haines talking about her exhibition at Canfas in September 2020
Carole Hodgson film October 2020
A filmed Interview with Carole Hodgson in October 2020 talking about her work and her solo exhibition at Canfas Gallery in Cardigan.
Meinir Mathias – Introduction
This is the first of a series of short films by Meinir Mathias
Artists on Art: Sam Vicary by Martha Lloyd Morgan
In this, the first of a new series, Artists on Art, Cardigan based artist and regular Canfas exhibitor, Sam Vicary, contemplates artistic influences, beloved works, and her own creative process.
Open Call for New Artists for 2021/2022
Once a year we invite Welsh artists or artists based in Wales to submit their work for future exhibitions. Deadline extended due to Covid 19 lockdown until February 28th 2021
Exhibition review October 2020 – Carole Hodgson
Carole’s exhibition at Canfas is a masterful celebration of texture, form, light, and shade. Simply but effectively displayed, Carole’s works are allowed to speak for themselves, without interference, and invite contemplation from every angle.
Elizabeth Haines – Review by Caroline Juler
Elizabeth Haines has a new show at Canfas. It consists of a handful of relatively large, confidently handled abstract paintings which she has made over the last 18 months and during the pandemic lockdown this year. She says the enforced isolation allowed her to focus better on her work which has so often relied on…
Unaiza Ismail talk at Canfas, 6pm Friday 13th December 2019
We are delighted to welcome artist Unaiza Ismail to talk about her practice and show artwork from her 2 week residency in CreateSpace Wales in Ferwig.
Meeting 7.30pm Sat 9th November @ Stwdio 3
On Saturday 9th November at 7.30 in Stiwdio 3, Cardigan, I will be giving a talk and facilitating an open discussion along with Suzi and Beth on ‘what and how do art schools teach?’
‘Other Voices’ at Canfas
We are very excited to be part of the 'Other Voices' Music Trail, and to be hosting these two wonderful artists: 5pm - Friday - Particpant 5pm - Saturday - Accü
Pembrokeshire Online Review
One of the latest winds to blow into Cardigan’s flying sails is Oriel Canfas. It’s not the only art space here, but the gallery which opened in July is offering something different enough to make it stand out.
Talk by US artist Julia Rymer Saturday 12th October 2019 at Canfas
Artist Julia Rymer to talk about her work and showing drawings and paintings from her 2 week residency in CreateSpace Wales in Ferwig.
Ian Phillips – 28/9/19 – 22/11/19
New exhibition from Aberystwyth based printmaker Ian Phillips
10% discount on Fine Art Materials for ‘Friends of Canfas’
10% discount on Fine Art Materials for 'Friends of Canfas' at Y Wiber
