The name David Suff has graced these pages a number of times in relation to his own label Fledg’ling Records and as a head of Topic Records, the longest running independent record label that celebrates its 80th Anniversary this year. David is also an internationally acclaimed artist and it his own work that comes under focus in a new exhibition which includes a 30-foot long pen drawing which represents his life…
The Goldmark Gallery, Uppingham is delighted to announce that from Saturday 23rd March – Saturday 13 April it will be hosting a major exhibition of new drawings Journey beyond Appearance by David Suff.
With works held in prominent public and private collections, Suff is best known for his work on paper – and in particular his large, rich, and meticulously drawn landscapes in coloured pencil. Building up crayon layer upon layer, Suff creates intimate views of enclosed gardens and landscaped spaces that take many years to complete. Each drawing explores the garden as a place of temporary imposition on the natural world; one of quiet contemplation and spiritual mystery. Journey Beyond Appearance will also feature a series of drawings of an imagined conversation between Suff and William Blake.
A centrepiece of the exhibition will be an autobiographical ‘River of Life’ pen drawing stretching over 30 feet long. A highly anticipated film of the sketchbook with original music by Martin Simpson and Kathryn Tickell, will premiere at the opening.
David Suff comments on River of Life – “ Around four years ago, I bought a blank sketchbook in an artist supplies shop. It’s like an Italian leporello really – all folded paper – and opens up to be nearly fifteen feet long. Although the paper is not really designed for precise drawing, I loved the idea that you opened the book out instead of turning a page. I started in the middle, experimenting with pen and ink and began to draw a river. From there, the idea quite quickly developed that I might draw the river of my life and this long, outstretched drawing could be autobiographical.
“Each fold, each page in the book, represents one year of my life and since I began two-thirds of the way through the volume, where I first drew now represents my fortieth year. Once I imagined that the drawing could become a film, with a musical accompaniment underscoring the journey, then all of a sudden it had to have a beginning and an end so the final panel is year sixty, which seemed for now like a reasonable point to stop.”
You can find examples of David’s work here: http://www.davidsuff.com
Journey beyond Appearance by David Suff takes place from Saturday 23rd March – Saturday 13 April
Goldmark Gallery, 14 Orange Street, Uppingham, Rutland, LE15 9SQ The UK.
General and sales enquiries +44 (0)1572 821424 / info@goldmarkart.com
Photo Credit: Jay Goldmark