Arty ~ Farty ~ Fukka

I've been busy of late, so much so that my studio is full to the point at which I'm pretty much running on empty. It's probably been the most significant period of my artistic life since leaving college 40 years ago equipped only with a burning dream of possibilities.

As a graduate I had ideas which felt worthy of pursuing in which I could contribute something new, fresh and original to the world of equestrian sculpture, but the art of surviving with only an artistic vision in the tumult of society proved to be a complex challenge. Finding a space and place within the art world felt impossible as did garnering support for what was at the time just a vague vision which needed time to unfurl. In my naivety I was concerned by this clash of values and so it proved to be a life of compromise and struggle which almost destroyed the innocence and truth of my potential, which is why my achievements this year feel like such a poignant victory.

Whilst there was always a developmental arc in my life and work I knew I could do better, go further, experiment more and uncover new possibilities outside of my comfort zone. The issue is just how to go about it whilst juggling with all that life throws at you and the conditioning one experiences. To this extent it had to be a serious dilemma to truly awaken my complacency and acceptance of self and make me see the world from a different perspective. The thing is if it's not broken why strip it down and reconstruct it, but this didn't prevail in my thinking because complacency was eroding my potential.

I'm profoundly aware that we have this one brief life in which we get the chance to awaken and realise our personal truth and explore our connection to existence. It's so precious and beautiful that allowing it to be drowned out in the noise of society feels like a crime against the soul, because the simple act of being should never be taken for granted. Whilst society is the mechanism for socialisation and control and can be argued to be a necessity, it doesn't fit neatly into the lateral thinking which art often requires. The funny thing is that I've always struggled with conformity which is why I've struggled to find a space and place in society and it's why I've always found comfort with discomfort. Perhaps this is why I see success differently and truth as the real deal breaker in art.

In the eyes and values of society this year has been my worst ever, I'm working at a loss to the point at which my financial ground zero is imminent and I will once again be forced away from my creativity to earn the currency which sustains life in society. But the struggles are there for everyone in all walks of life and really form the basis of character, acting as a catalyst and signifier to growth, both intellectually and spiritually. I'm certainly not the first ragged trousered artist and I won't be the last, so I embrace the struggle as a motivational force.

I see my recent work as truly significant on a personal level because I've finally been able to recognise the strands of my existence and seamlessly combine them in my creativity. To acknowledge my deep spiritual connection and combine it with a rational mindset whilst embracing the extraordinary nature of societal expectation. Sometimes it boils down to truths, the solemn truth to self and being and the social truth that is constructed by and in society, all of which feel vital.

The irony of this artistic life of struggle is that if there was no struggle there would be no reason to dig so deep and writhe in all the anguish, which is what generates such meaningful art and originality. A real and present struggle which generates personal growth and feelings of achievement unmatched by any other system of values, no winners or losers, no right or wrong, just the power of knowing and feeling personal growth and evolution. On top of all that you even get to share your work in the hope that it will touch people and bring a gesture of value.

I have to say that this latest series of work has made me feel whole once again after years of personal suffering in which I felt unable to reconcile the strands of my existence. Hopelessly overwhelmed by the task of assimilating and formulating my confusion into a cohesive form of expression, all I needed was the time and space I created for myself this year. At junctures like this I do get that #blessed feeling and though it will be short lived I will remember it so that I can hold a meaningful trajectory with my artistic odyssey.

Unfortunately I've made too many sculptures recently to illustrate this blog post however I do put all my work on Instagram (eoghanbridge) and hope to update my website soon.

Many thanks for reading, hope you feel inspired and have a great day