The Notice Board

EXHIBITION 7

15 February – 15 March 2020

Angharad McLaren & Geoff Diego Litherland
Scotland and Mexico/England

Title: Land Flag
Hand-woven patterned linen flag, 50cm x 75cm, 2020

Every process involved has an influence on the final outcome of the paintings. The work explores the relationship between the patterned woven canvas and ‘ground’, here having parallel, interconnected meanings: the historical ground of a painting, which is the mid-tone wash of colour that an image emerges from; the ground that cultivated the flax / canvas; the pigments that come from the ground to make paint; and the visual representation of the ground the artist has trodden.

The woven canvas patterns have been designed using interlocking circular and geometric shapes, derived from honey-comb and other repetitive patterns found in nature. The patterns act as both a metaphor for inter-connectivity and through their very structure, are a material embodiment of it.

Geoff’s album Woven / Ground is available now. The music uses his weave patterns to generate guitar loops which are then collaboratively developed into expansive ambient tracks.

For the final episode of our first podcast season, host and Assistant Director at Fermynwoods Jessica Harby talks with artist Geoff Diego Litherland about his new album of music. Since 2016, Geoff's practice developed from painting landscape to cultivating it. He grew a field of flax, harvested and spun the fibres, and then learned to weave his own uniquely textured linen canvases. This year, he turned those weaving patterns into sound loops to produce the basis of music, now available on his album Woven / Ground. Listening to the music, which runs throughout this episode, is listening not only to his paintings, but to the entire journey from cultivated dirt to finished work of art.

Listen Now