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> > Gini

Artist and wordsmith, whose work engages with issues of access, from acknowledged physical needs to perceived symbolic exclusions. After being selected as one of DAO's New Voices in 2011, Gini's online presence has become an integral part of her arts practice

audio-visual disorientation.
23 March 2013

Blog

iPad finger drawing of a leafless tree with roots and tiny glowing buds on deep blue background

Last week I joined an audio-description training introduction and as a result was offered a taster touch-tour and audio-described performance at Salisbury Playhouse by their professional, very helpful team. Touch-tours normally take place on a stage which is, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible, but I did manage to wheel close enough to feel the grassy surface texture of the set. I had earlier been emailed a link to the Playhouse website's audio information, but had found the set...

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People in Con.Text conversations
16 March 2013

Blog

View into white Gallery with white framed, pen and ink drawings on the walls and two white soft-sculpture figues, one suspended from the rafters and one lying on the floor

Like the children, you think you've let go, you watch those independent steps and move on from the wrench. But nothing prepares you for the way your creation takes off; gathers momentum and brings home the stories that you scattered; brings them home enriched with lives and links and lightening bolts. 'People in Con.Text' conversations are full of positive feedback, and a great sense of people's engagement with the exhibition. They are, so far, hugely enjoyable - there is...

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In the aftermath.
10 March 2013

Blog

Close-up view of a white painted canvass with twisted strips of white muslin all seen in a dark bluish light.

Now that 'People Like You' is installed in the Salisbury Arts Centre Gallery, I need to tidy up - housekeeping. My house, without the five soft-sculpture figures, is peaceful. Where they had spilled out into my personal space, I can reclaim room to breath. My studio however is a mess. And none the freer for the exodus of artwork - it still contains preparations and pictures I rejected for this version of 'People Like You'. Canvasses exploring the theme of angels - the visual...

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'People Like You' - letter handles
8 March 2013

Blog

Pen and ink drawing of a man's face in profile, interpreted in roots curling around the edges and into a skull shape

Not caring, not daring to leave a gaping hole, a vacuum through which I might disappear like the humanoid rabbit, I have already started on 'People in Con.Text'. Conversations with visitors to the 'People Like You' exhibition/installation will form part of its evaluation and already there are gems like the squealed, 'letter handles' that a small child used to draw her parents' attention to the grab rails. And the smiling gent who came to tell me that if his dog were...

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The PLY Project catches up.
7 March 2013

Blog

Pen and ink, words from a Con.text piece forming the shape of a head

Wednesday was time to put in some overdue effort on the PLY Project. LinkUpArts members have gathered 'baby and now' photos of people like you, like us, for the 'People Like You' exhibition. These need printing out, 'baby image' on one side, 'now image' on the other. A few do not have baby photos of themselves so I have made simple boy and girl outline drawings. It would also be great if people wanted to draw their own.  No-one is excluded There are...

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'People Like You' - a life of its own
6 March 2013

Blog

Grab rails spelling People Like You mounted on boards after being powder-coated bright pink,

Tuesday started earlier than I am comfortable with, but I needed to be there for the grab rails. They require a lot of holes drilled in the wall and I'd hate to have to ask the team to make corrections. I do have a very clear idea of how I'd like them to sit and I am very pleased with the result. The template supplied by Shaun at Ozweld proved really helpful. I'm also pleased with the initial reactions of people passing through, I've overheard some lively remarks from all age...

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'People Like You' - Halfway in.
5 March 2013

Blog

the underwater-blue banner with red and white text that in 'Uderwater Con.Text in exhibition mode. The full text can be read on DAO in the creative writing section.

I spent Monday in the chaos of the get-in - not easy on wheels when there is so much technology, people, and stuff. I had spent a sleepless night and was pleased to see the dawn of a dry and almost sunny day. The soft-sculptures travelled in with Sue Austin, the pen and ink drawings with Trish Wheatley, and I followed with smaller things. At Salisbury Arts Centre we hit an immediate low. The car park was overflowing, the accessible parking spaces were occupied and trapped in my car I dived -...

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People Like You - before pink
3 March 2013

Blog

Bright metal grab rails screwed onto a large board and spelling the word 'People' on display in the Ozweld workshop

Finally the grab rails are a reality; I have pictures! They were taken at the workshop before the letters went to be powder-coated, but suddenly the faintly niggling feeling that it might all be an illusion has been replaced with elation. It seems so very long ago that I had an idea for an installation and did the first grab rail doodles, then photographed my own grab rails and Photoshopped them into the right shapes. I enjoy making my own artwork, but months of pondering and positioning of...

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