Three words that describe spirograph to me quite perfectly. The old childrens toy that began life as a tool designed with the idea of it being used by architects and other engineers but really became a novelty item from a lot of our childhoods. I was reminded of it when I was answering some silly questions early this morning because I couldn’t sleep and as always one memory or image has led me to yet more and eventually to an artist I remember being featured on a program about old toys and whether they were still relevant today.
I’d like to introduce you all to Lesley Halliwell her art is beautiful, ordered yet chaotic, immaculate yet imperfect and a swirling vortex which drew me into it.
When she was interviewed about it and showing James May (the presenter of the show) her work, he asked her how she managed to make so many perfect spirographs over and over to make these pieces and she said happily that she didn’t. There are small imperfections in each piece of work but that just adds to the whole thing, the fact that no one is perfect, no piece of art is perfect.
I remember as a child I would spend a long time with a compass making pictures with those standardised lines, colouring them and trying to perfect how large I could make them.
Right now I’m wondering whether I can find my old compass and have another go at it…in fact off I go to search my stationary drawer(s) and find that old faithful little bit of metal.
Posted by anxiouselephant on January 28, 2013 at 1:35 pm
This is so cool!
xx
Posted by scienerf on January 28, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Glad you like it, I loved it as soon as I saw her work
xx
Posted by simplybluey on January 28, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Oh I love this post, thank you for sharing her beautiful art with us! I had a spirograph as a child, I loved it. My mother took it away from me because I was using to much paper.
Posted by scienerf on January 28, 2013 at 2:18 pm
It’s that mix of childhood and beauty that I love in art work
go out and get one! they sell them again and you can play with it to your hearts content! xox
Oh that’s just mean
Posted by simplybluey on January 28, 2013 at 2:51 pm
I may just do that!
Posted by Doggy's Style on January 28, 2013 at 3:05 pm
Wow, that’s really nice!
I remember playing with a spirograph when I was a kid, there wasn’t a piece of paper free of my “art” lol
Posted by scienerf on January 28, 2013 at 3:26 pm
Hehe glad you like it and that you had so much fun with one as a kid! I think sometimes we just have to relive those childhood memories and remember how much fun it was!
Posted by artyelf on January 28, 2013 at 7:26 pm
I remember buying a spirograph for one of my sons one Christmas, and he thought it was magic, just like me!
Love those artworks you found, very inspiring, and the artist’s statement is profound.
Hope you have fun with your compass. xox
Posted by scienerf on January 28, 2013 at 9:47 pm
I’m glad you like them I think they’re fabulous. Still haven’t got off my arse to find it yet been one of those days. Hope you’re ok hunny xox