Confluences

About

Confluences is the first joint exhibition showcasing the work of artists Martin and Siobhan Miles-Moore from award-winning studio Miles-Moore Ceramics.

The exhibition's opening gambit draws both content and inspiration from Martin's collaborative book Confluences released in 2019.

The title of the book resonated with the pair to such an extent, that it defines and establishes the tone for the exhibition itself, making reference to the joining, coming, or flowing together, meeting, or gathering at one point of two or more bodies.

This is a bold statement of intent, identifying the coming together of both Martin and Siobhan as artists. The unifying of their ideas and the inspiration underpinning their work, including their deep seated and shared understanding of sense of place, a sentiment expressed throughout their work by their use of both found and foraged materials.

In recent years each in turn has collaborated with a wide cross section of artists and creatives, from an array of backgrounds, including poets, photographers, film makers, award winning chefs, and followers of the Japanese art of Chado.

This time the pair have joined forces with two unique and talented digital creatives, Naomi Saka of Interaktions Design and Rich Stevens of Design Real. Both work in the innovative and expressive world of concept design and development, collaborating for the first time to create unique visual experiences for Bentley celebrating the centenary of the Grande Marque.

Both Martin and Siobhan seek to tell stories with their work, creating connections to place and disparate culture. Using materials from specific locations is a significant part of that storytelling process. Helping their audience understand why they have chosen to use particular materials and their meaning is an essential element in the creation and curation of any exhibition showcasing their work.

They both realised the unlimited potential to use digitised images and light installation to help tell these stories in a different way, utilising another medium to convey the inspiration behind and the intent of their work.

Martin is in the process of creating a range of new work for this exhibition, which comes full circle reconnecting with his earlier work, inspired by Korean forms, but now explicitly telling the story of the of the fells and becks of his surroundings. Vessels that can be used; but can also be admired purely for their form and the stories of evolution they embody. Vase forms, moon vases and tea bowls, all made using foraged materials and reflecting the colours and textures of the landscapes surrounding Farfield Mill.

Alongside, Siobhan is creating a new range of microcosms integrating the shapes and emotions of the Howgills, the textures colours and patterns of the raw materials of textile production, wool, and water as well as finished products. For the first time they are working together to co-create work, a true confluence.

Both bodies of work convey the story of nature's infinite power, an energy that constantly shapes both place and people. Shaped by the raw energy of gusting winds and driving rain, shimmering desert and tropical sea, ancient glaciers and crashing cascading waterfalls, these are nature's tools…