Artist's Copyright

© Colin Culley - The copyright for all the images on this website remains the property of Colin Culley and images may not be reproduced in whole or in part, without the artist's permission.

Open Studios

Homage to Blake 1, 2 & 3 - Acrylic 2023

'Broken Promises' - Acrylic 2023

Bee Orchid  - Ellerbhurn Bank Nature reserve - July 2023 

 Vase, bottle and butterfly - Acrylic - April 2023

'From Moors, Coast, Dale and Beyond'

In association with North Yorkshire Open Studio

12th February to 21st May 2023

 at Danby Lodge National Park Centre

'The circus comes to town' (Mixed media) 2023

'Spirit of the Forest'  

​​National Tree Week Exhibition, Demonstration and Competition 2022

Closing date 31st December 2022

National Tree Week ran from 26th November until 4th December and Ryedale District Council supported an exhibition, a painting demonstration and a photographic competition in Dalby Forest visitor centre. On Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd December Colin gave a painting demonstration entitled 'Tree Spirits' and he  exhibited a selection of photographs and paintings which explored how myths and folklore develop about 'creatures' in forests.

PHOTOGRAPHC COMPETITION

Enter the 'Tree Spirits' photographic competition for a chance to win an annual membership pass to Dalby Forest worth £60. For full details go to the Dalby Forest Competition page.

"This was my home!"  (Acrylic and ink)   2022

"The consequence of littering!"   (Acrylic and ink)   2022

Ryedale Open Studios 2022

23rd to 24th July and 30th to 31st July

North Yorkshire Open Studios 2022

Colin has been selected to participate in this year's event which will be held on the weekends of the 4th - 5th June and 11th -12th June.  Everyone welcome.

9th April to 22nd May 2022

North York Moors National Park Art Award Exhibition

Colin was delighted to learn that he was one of the artists who had a painting selected for the NYMNP Art Award exhibition of works in paint medium, print, photography and mixed media to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the North York Moors National Park. The Art Award ceremony will take place on Friday 20th May 2022.

A continuation of my Dalby Forest project -  2021 / 2022

Fronteer Gallery Open Exhibition 2021

Colin was selected to exhibit a painting in this exhibition which was held from 1st to 11th December 2021

'SUMMER. SOMEWHERE.' EXHIBITION IN LEEDS

7th August to 19th September 2021

Sunny Bank Mills is an amazing venue for an art exhibition with large bright open areas and old features from the days when the mill was in full production. Colin was delighted to have had three paintings selected for this exhibition and if you get the opportunity you might like to call in to enjoy the full experience of a visit to Sunny Bank Mills.

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE WITH FORESTRY ENGLAND

Dalby Forest North Yorkshire       2020 - 2022

Colin is currently an 'Artist in Residence' with Forestry England based in Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire.  Colin sees this as an opportunity to address and foreground issues which he is passionate about. In particular global warming, insensitive commercial activity and the general lack of empathy with the natural environment. All of these have a profound impact on flora and fauna and on our planet, which is the only place in the known universe confirmed to host life.

The Spiritual World of Dalby Forest

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Colin's project aims to encourage a new audience to engage with Dalby forest and to enjoy a different way of exploring and understanding this amazing resource.  

Throughout human existence there has been a rich relationship between human thought and the forest world. Trees have acquired symbolic meanings which remain in language, lore and culture. They have often had great religious significance and even today they frequently feature in rituals.

Folklore, myths and practices across the world have long associated forests with spirits or souls. They are often portrayed as dark, shadowy places of mystery and intrigue, places where there are supernatural happenings and inexplicable voices.  Forests were believed to be the habitat of monsters, strange creatures, witches, demons and fairies.

Colin's project is focused on Dalby Forest Maze (currently under construction) and its alignment with the Midsummer Solstice. The stone circles at its heart become the catalyst for an adventure. Colin delves into the 'symbolic realm' and through photography, painting, poetry and ultimately through a fantasy narrative,  he will explore the links between ancient values, modern practices and the future. The emphatic underlying message is an urgent need to protect all of our vulnerable ecosystems to prevent the impending disaster which is currently threatening our world. 

SelfScapes Research Cluster Exhibition 2021

In conjunction with his residency in Dalby Forest Colin is participated in the second (the first was in 2018) 'SelfScapes' research cluster exhibition event which took place between April and June 2021

SelfScapes is a new research cluster at York St John University and refers to the relationship between self and its environment. The aim of this research cluster is to investigate both the body and place as sites for interconnected experiences and how this might be mediated through a range of media. 

If you would like more infomation click the link to access a publication on the last event 

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/3lbu35to2wxbu54/SelfScapes%20210x210mm%20Booklet%20JUL20%20v15e2.pdf?dl=0

SelfScapes Exhibition 2021

For SelfScapes Colin has been exploring the relationship that people and animals have had with forests. Myths, folklore and legends occur across the world. Nyctohylophobia, the fear of dark wooded areas or forests particularly at night, is a common feature. Tales of eerie noises, mythical creatures, transformations, witchcraft, shapeshifting and petrification. Forests talk to those who listen and you can discover much about yourself during a solitary walk through a forest especially at dawn or dusk, or in the dead of the night if you are bold enough. The eight people/creatures represented in Colin's installation (see below) can all be found within Dalby forest. When Dalby stone maze aligned with the summer solstice there was a cosmic force which caused ancient petrified forms to stir and their eyes opened and once again they drew breath. How did they react to their new surroundings, the global destruction of forests, climate change and the pressures placed on our flora and fauna ......? 

Click on the link below to visit the SelfScapes website

https://selfscapes.wixsite.com/selfscapes

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