Introducing you to Beth Ableson, our 2012 Artist in Residence

Zion Arts Space is one year old and situated in Bedminster Down in the city of Bristol - for those that don't know this is outside of the city on the way to the airport.

Context was invited by Jess, Zion's Director, to use their exhibition space during October 2012. During the same conversation we asked Jess how the opening of an arts space has engaged and created conversation within the local community. As the space is still relatively young the relationships between the space and the community have begun, however there is still work to be down in encouraging the use of the space by the community as a welcoming cultural space with the community at the heart of it.

So, what better way could we propose to use the space than to run an Artist in residency programme during the month that encourages the community to have access to a contemporary artist as they work and create art within the community that will later be exhibited for all to see.

We were keen to engage with a Bristol based artist to develop their relationships with the cities communities and also their relationship with the new space. Beth Ableson has been a practicing artist for the last 10 years, having based her work in Bath, Somerset and only recently moving to Bristol.

"'My work investigates the curious notions of my own placement, presence and physicality in relation to the people and environment that surround me. My work creates a self portrait through the faces of those close to me and the landscapes that are of personal significance.

My current work focuses on the curiosities of death and what it
means to those still living. How we hold on to a face in both our minds and through photograph's it order to preserve what is gone forever.

My paintings are as much about the physicality and presence of the paint as they are about the subject within them. Each stroke is as important as the next and mark my journey around the canvas."
Beth Ableson

Beth will be using the space at Zion to develop new work, discuss the process of doing so with those that visit and hold her very first exhibition in the City.

We will be using this blog to keep you updated with news and activity throughout the residency, including images of Beth's work as it develops and information about the exhibition at the end of the month.