Self Portrait and Memories Kevin and James Gillen

Delighted to share this new mail art call, and beautiful mail art from Kevin and James Gillen.  But...sorry that I scanned it and haven't shared it until now.  I will participate, I feel terrible that this got lost in my summer chaos !

Thank you K and J!

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Listen to 'A Migrant's Tale'

Thank you, Kevin, for such an important mailing! A few years ago, when I volunteered with Suffolk Refugee Support, suffolkrefugee, I helped hang an exhibition of photos of migrants arriving by boat into the UK. The photos were harrowing. I think it was a debate about UK's migrant policy that made our son the caring adult he became. I applaud you for shining a light on ths and for reminding us all to consider it and to listen.

 

Mikel Untzilla's Network

In case I haven't said it, Happy New Year to my mail art friends. This beautifully stamped envelope takes me back to the weeks leading up to Christmas. although not stars, the yellow and the feeling of beacons makes me hopeful about the holiday season anew. Mikel's bespoke postage stamps on the inside of the mail art got me revved up to make/finish some of my own mail art.  If you can imagine… I actually posted twenty pieces over the first week back in the studio! I guess I am back in action.  Mikel, you are next on my list. An I am determined to keep the postal ledger up to date too!

Tofu's ICD - Soy Mundo

The haptic quality of Tofu's beautiful Interdimensional Communication Device  is really special.  I have been meaning to photograph it during the day (so that you can feel the depth) but it gets to be that 'after-dinner-time' and I still haven't managed, so today I gave in a scanned it.  You can't really FEEL the braille of the piece, but I can and it's fabulous!

Tofu, as well as making art and mail art, you should be making earrings with your cutouts! 

This piece is very 1980s, for me.  I think it's because I used to wear primary colours, jeans and striped shirts before I became a punk. It works, too! I am travelling between time. Many thanks, Tofu.  Exquisite.

How to use this toilet

 Delighted to have a new Jon Foster tape masterpiece! I can't explain it but it makes me think of watermelon. I guess that is my synesthesiac reaction. 

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As I type I am listening to tune in to get a fix of the USA news.  As ever these days it is pretty crazy in the free world. Jon is equipping me in case things get really nuts. Or MORE nuts.  And Jon is right, mail art does bring freedom!

In my opinion we are in one big cistern at the moment and I am thankful to given instructions on how to cope. It sure stinks these days 

Nadir - Poul Poclage - Send mail art to show what artists are doing beyond Suffolk!

Poul was a great supporter of my Spirit of the Forest mail art exhibition, sending me a large wooden piece that got lots of notice at the exhibition held at the Mercury Theatre a few years ago.  He writes that this is his contribution for my 'Suffolk Open Studios' project. 

Suffolk Open Studios is a month of weekends in June when artists open their studios to the public. We have a small space in June at the Apex in Bury St Edmunds, a theatre with gallery wall space,  not enough to showcase all the artists' work… so I suggested hosting a mail art exhibition for people who are part of the open studios to show a little of what they do on a piece of mail art.  I have received a bit so far.  This piece from Poul came as a surprise because it hadn't occurred to me to open up the exhibition beyond the Suffolk artists, mostly because of the limited space.  Having said that, I am game to collect any mail art I receive between now and June 10th and at the very least, hang it in my own studio, or in the bothy (exhibition space) during open studios. If I can find another suitable venue, I will!

Thank you Poul for getting the ball rolling.  In a funny way your title 'Nadir' is perfect for this project.  You are the first and hopefully there will be more! 

Mail hearts from Mail Artists of the future! Earl Soham Six Year Olds

Some of you will know that one of the things I do is work in schools with children and teachers.  One of the best collaborations I ever had was with Elaine Elliot in schools in Laxfield and Martham in Suffolk and Norfolk.  Elaine has been a headteacher numerous times but more importantly she is a creative doer like few you will meet who inspires children to excel beyond their means.  I suspect it is Elaine's own creative energy that makes this happen, so I was delighted to hear form her the other day with a surprise parcel of mail art.

I am encouraged that people like Elaine are still choosing to un-retire themselves in order to feed the creative imaginations of the future!  Yes, Nate, ink is messy but I am sure it was fun! and Elaine, I can't wait to see you new journals!

A year's worth of pleasure in one Barfa box - Mason Keys

In completely random order, here is the contents of the Barf Box from Amazon Slime, courtesy of Mason Keys (with some additions - don't ask me - from Diane Keys). See the video (at end) where my model uses the Dkult playset figurines in the Elgin Mansion.