INTRO (project space) Current Forthcoming Archive   EXHIBITIONS (main gallery) Current Forthcoming Archive     .

Sadie Tierney, Victory 3 (Yellow Ship), 2007 Sadie Tierney, Gosport Ferry, 2006 Sadie Tierney, Gosport Sunsets (video still), 2006

INTRO - archive Flotilla Sadie Tierney 27 June - 29 July 2007 In this exhibition Sadie Tierney uses watercolour and film to explore emotive experiences, objects and changing views in everyday life, often using the subject metaphorically. The ever changing sea scape and horizon looking south from Portsmouth is a constant source of inspiration for Sadie Tierney. Boats of all shapes and sizes dot the vista – in all weathers – from tiny storm tossed fishing boats, working in extreme conditions, to travellers off across the channel on adventures by ferry, to hulking military vessels quietly gliding in and out of the harbour by darkness undergoing their ocean faring missions. The boats and aircraft in these fragile paintings on paper and canvas are gathered into a Flotilla, which could neither hold water or sail. These iconic lonely vessels bobbing around in frenetic activity become symbolic of different ideas: movement, fortitude, greeting and parting, military might. The changing view across the sea is particularly marked at sunset, when the light levels shift rapidly. This inspired Southsea Sunsets N50º46’47”W1º05’31” (digital video, 10 minutes, looped). Nine recordings of the sun setting each day in the same spot on the most southerly tip of Portsea island are arranged side by side on a ten-minute loop. Day to day conditions vary hugely; the sun creeps further along the horizon, the time gets later by 2 minutes and clouds move and diffuse the light giving a completely different feel to each film. An everyday place is transformed into something fleeting and special. The location (Southsea seafront) is a functional footpath crossing the city joining east to west, used by joggers, dog walkers and workers returning home. Ships and passers by traverse the frame, but few people stop to look at the natural phenomena happening around them. Portsmouth is England’s only island city. It’s south facing aspect and southerly location coupled with being surrounded by water, gives it a unique quality of light. Each of the nine paintings Southsea Sunsets (watercolour and pencil on paper) was made concurrent with the footage during the rapid period of light change over the 15 minutes of sunset. Contemplation of the same subject in drawn media manifests itself in 9 separate images which contrast with the smooth, seamless transitions of the time based piece. RCA graduate Sadie Tierney exhibits her work in the UK and internationally. She lives and works in Southsea, and currently lectures on the Fine Art Drawing degree course at Swindon College, as well as tutoring at Rabley Contemporary Drawing Centre. Further information about the artist's work can be found on www.sadietierney.co.uk Southsea Sunsets N50º46’47”W1º05’31” was funded by the Arts Council England.