Monica-Shanta 'The Dog Walk Project' Part 1

A virtual exhibition of recent works by Monica-Shanta

Due to the latest lockdown we have had to cancel most of the exhibitions we had planned for the first half of 2021. Fortunately Monica-Shanta agreed to install her planned exhibition in the gallery space and front window and allow us to make it a virtual show. While it's not the same as seeing work in the flesh, the short video gives a good indication of the fascinating work that Monica has been producing over the last 6 months. Actually the physical artifacts are not the norm for Monica-Shanta and her usual studio practice is in the realm of performance and film based works (see CV below for details) so in many ways the your virtual experience here, on your screen, is closer to her preferred medium.

While you cannot come to the gallery and see the exhibition this year you will be able to see 'Part 2' next year when we will invite Monica-Shanta back to the gallery in 2022 for the second part of the exhibition with a whole new set of works. It will be interesting to see how the work evolves and is shaped in (hopefully) a post-pandemic world.

All works are for sale and will be listed in the 'store' part of the website.

Follow the link to see the video:

‘The Dog Walk Project – Part 1’ Spring 2021

Artist Statement Monica-Shanta

My art practice is a collage of many materials and outcomes. I use whatever media or processes suit an idea. I create digital images, objects, drawings, moving image digital film, interactive performance, and installations.

I focus on universally lived daily human experiences, such as Eating, Walking and Breathing, as inspirations for my work. Through my work I aim to make visible the magic of life in what we might usually experience as just the humdrum of the ‘everyday’, to make explicit the timeless divine within the ‘ordinary’.

I particularly love the form and geometry of circles, which are at the heart of natural forms, from molecules to solar systems, and are a recurring theme in my work as symbols of totality, wholeness, the Self, the infinite, and the cyclic timelessness of life.

I am fascinated by the power of repetition as it runs through all of lives, our beating hearts, the rhythm of our steps…….. and as it occurs in visual patterns throughout nature and art, and in cultural and spiritual traditions across the whole of humanity, such as the counting of rosary, ritual drumming, music…..

Focus on rhythm, repetition and pattern offers a portal to transcendent experiences for all of us as creators, participants, observers and audience.

‘The Dog Walk Project – Part 1’ Spring 2021

CV Monica-Shanta

Web site www.monica-shanta.net

Facebook Monica-Shanta – Artist

YouTube Monica-Shanta

Vimeo Monica-Shanta

Instagram monica_shanta_

ethno-constitutionals

Solo Performance and Exhibitions

2019 ‘The Fried Egg Café’ - for Somerset Art Works, ‘Taunton Together’, Taunton, Somerset

2019 ‘The Fried Egg Café’ - for Somerset Art Works, The Engine Room, ‘Bridgewater Together’, Bridgewater, Somerset

2018 'The (Cake) Stall of Alternative Thoughts', 'Canteen' @ TOPOS, Art Week Exeter

2018 'The (Cake) Stall of Alternative Thoughts', 'Artistic Research Will Eat Itself'

SAR 9th International Conference, University of Plymouth

2017 'Performing Plaiting' - Performance, 'Between', The Arts Institute, University of Plymouth

2017 'Performing Plaiting' - Performance, Plymouth Art Weekender, Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard,

Plymouth

2016 ‘Sitting on the Throne for Breathing’ - Performance, Plymouth Art Weekender, Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard, Plymouth

2015 ‘The Fried Egg Café’ - Interactive Performance and Edible Art Experience, Crosspoint, University of Plymouth

2014 ‘Rubbish’, Birdwood House, Totnes, Devon

2013 ‘Masala Mandala’ installation exhibited as part of SOAS Multi-lingualism Week,

SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), University of London.

2012 ‘The Moving House Art Sale’ - An Open House Art Sale, Islington, London

2007 ‘Conception Cake Café’ - An Open House Edible Art Experience, Islington, London

200 ‘Mandalas and Mandorlas’. - The Literary Cafe, Islington, London

Exhibitions of Education and Community Residencies and Projects

2020 ‘Foster Family Stories’, AWEsome Artspace, Paris Street, Exeter

2020 ‘Foster Family Stories’, Online Exhibition – Daisi.org.uk

2018 'Re-boot' Uncovering Exeter's Layers of History, St Stephens Church, Exeter

2018 'Museum Machina', Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter

2017 'A Collage of the Blackdown Hills' Hemyock Healthy Living Centre, Hemyock, Devon

Curator

2018 'Canteen' @ TOPOS, Exeter Art Week

2013 ‘Parallax’ - an Exhibition by Artists of Mixed-Heritage and Mixed-Ethnicity

Curator, and Participating Artist, Mile End Art Pavillion, London www.mixed-other-art.net

2012 ‘Mixed-Other’ - an Exhibition by Artists of Mixed-Heritage and Mixed-Ethnicity

Curator, and Participating Artist, Islington Arts Factory, London www.mixed-other-art.net

Collaborations

2020 'Ethno-Constitutionals' Film collaboration with artist Helen Snell, commissioned by The Arts Institute, University of Plymouth

2011 ‘Eve’s Pursuit’, Islington Arts Factory, Islington, London - with artist Samantha Miller

2010 ‘Goldilocks meets Pandora’ - Islington Arts Factory, Islington, London - with Samantha Miller

2010 ‘The Garden’ - Islington Exhibits Festival, Park Life Café, Islington - with musician Vanessa Vie

Group Exhibitions

2020 'Ethno-Constitutionals' 5x5x5 Series, Online Exhibition, The Arts Institute, University of Plymouth

2020 'Black Holes and Umbellifers', FIFTY BEES: The Interconnectedness of All Things,

Black Swan Arts Centre, Frome, Somerset

2019 'Oprah Winfrey Is My Mother' The Care Trail, Crediton, Mid-Devon

2018 'Canteen' @ TOPOS, Exeter Art Week, Exeter

2017 'Between', Peninsula Arts, Rowland Lewinsky Building, Plymouth University

2017 MA Show, Plymouth Art Weekender, Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard, Plymouth

2017 MA Contemporary Art Practice, Graduation Show, Royal William Yard, Plymouth

2017 ‘Being Human 2’, 'AWE' Art Week Exeter, Preston Street Union, Exeter, Devon

2016 ‘Being Human’ - part of Plymouth Art Weekender, Mills Bakery, Royal William Yard, Plymouth

2016 ‘Fictive Dreaming’ Institute of Contemporary Art, Singapore

2015 ‘Convergence’ 101 Space, Rowland Levinsky Building, Plymouth University

2013 ‘Parallax’ - an Exhibiton by Artists of Mixed-Heritage and Mixed-Ethnicity - Curator, and Artist, Mile End Art Pavilion, London www.mixed-other-art.net

2012 10 x 10 - Gloss Art Gallery, Exeter, Devon

2012 ‘Mixed-Other’ - an Exhibition by Artists of Mixed-Heritage and Mixed-Ethnicity - Curator, and Artist,

Islington Arts Factory, London www.mixed-other-art.net

2012 ‘Fantastic February Fair’, Islington Arts Factory, Islington, London

2011 ‘And Now for Another One’ - Brent Artists Resource, Willesden Library Centre, London

2008 ‘Representations of Identity’, Women’s Art Movement, Islington Arts Factory, London

2006 ‘Distributing Dictionary Definitions’ - Bob and Roberta Smith’s Peace Camp, Interactive Event,

The Brick Lane Gallery, London

Publications

2018 'The (Cake) Stall of Alternative Thoughts' page 111, SAR 9th International Conference Proceedings.

2017 'Fictive Dreaming and Wondering.....' page 4, Praxis Press 2017, Singapore

2016 'The Book of Alternative Thoughts', Edition of 6, one held in the Artist Book Collection at The Charles Seale-Hayne Library, University of Plymouth

2013 'Par.al.lax' An exhibition by artists of mixed-heritage and mixed-ethnicity - Exhibition Catalogue

2012 'Mixed-Other' An exhibition by artists of mixed-heritage and mixed-ethnicity – Exhibition Catalogue

Education

2014 - 2017 MA Contemporary Art Practice, University of Plymouth

1991 - 1992 PGCE Art & Design, Institute of Education, University of London

1986 - 1989 BA. Honours Degree, Fine Art Painting, Wimbledon College of Art, UAL, London

1985 - 1986 Foundation, Art & Design, College of Arts & Technology, Newcastle upon Tyne