From the poster for the Drawing Exchanges Festival

Drawing Exchanges Festival is series of Bristol-based free interactive drawing events from 24th April to 4th May 2009. Festival organisers, artists Lady Lucy and Kayle Brandon, hope the events will attract: "Amateurs, experts, enthusiasts and first time drawers." It is spread over numerous cultural and open spaces including Spike Island, Arnolfini, Bristol City Museum & Art Gallery, and Clifton Suspension Bridge. But the question is does everyone, artist and non- artist, feel comfortable drawing in public? "People can by shy, but the whole point is to join in, so generally people warm to the idea.  It is a non-competitive environment, very different from a life class or an art class. Drawing exchangers are encouraged through the social aspect to become part of a happening," explain Lucy and Kate.

Intrinsic to the project is the opportunity not only to see what other participants have made but also to swap work. “We have an informal  display of all drawings produced. The drawers feel accomplished and hopefully their drawing self-esteem is raised. The process of drawing is the central point of attention, so the drawings, once finally looked at, are like unearthed treasures. It is [also] about the value of the art produced in the exchange. The value is about the time spent making drawings together. The events are free so they can go away with a drawing that they like and admire. [Thus] they submit their drawings to a mutual exchange.” The power and accessibility of drawing is celebrated through the festival. “Drawing is the starting point and at the core of every art practise. When you develop a concept you are sketching ideas in your head. Drawings represent the raw and the rare the everyday and the exceptional moments of artist’s lives.”

Marcia Farquhar is one of over 20 artists contributing to the festival. She describes the importance drawing is to her: “I always loved drawing from life as it was the closest thing I came to a trance like state of mind. An old art teacher told me not to be shy of drawing people -that was helpful. She said to think of them as cabbages. In this way I got to understand how to love life drawing”.

Marcia’s event is entitled Draw On (Draw In) and will take place at Spike Island on Saturday 2nd May, and will feature special guest Mahali O'Hare. It is described on the Spike Island website as : “An invitation to draw from daydreams, night dreams, and all points in between.” Marcia elucidates: “From early on, around 13 or 14, I wrote a book of my dreams and made curious half asleep little line drawings. During ten year psychoanalysis in my thirties I drew and painted a lot of my dreams. I remember my, then very young, daughters coming across disturbed and disturbing imagery and being alarmed. I explained they were MY nightmares and not theirs so they were not to worry (!?) It was around this time that I encouraged them to draw their nightmares and dreams. Sometimes the most terrifying creatures of the night turned into moustachioed little potato men and we laughed. We were all drawing away from fear by drawing on fear. I love all the uses of drawing from planning to 'exorcism' via all sorts. Having been a teacher I am quite sure Draw On (Draw In) is closely related to workshops I have led in art schools, incorporating my own working methods and games I play at home.”

Marcia empathises with those who uneasy about drawing, confessing “I was often teased by macho art tutors for my defensive body language at an easel.” So how does she approach those unsure about drawing in public? “Shyness with drawing is as good as bravado... I like to encourage everyone, as I am a believer in drawing”.

Drawing Exchanges Festival 24th April – 4th May 2009
featuring: Kayle Brandon, Lady Lucy, Alice Forward, Anna Lucas, Andrew Mania & Daniel Rush, Animate, Aviv Kruglansk & Vahida Ramujkic, Brian Dawn Chalkley, Corey Orbisons, Emma Bush & Pete Harrison, Fránçois Marry, John Stark, Jessica Marlowe, Keira Rathbone Goodiepal, Heath Bunting & Sarah Flint, Laura Oldfield Ford, Lady Stubbs, Marcia Farquhar & Mahali O'Hare, Patricia Jordan, Rebecca Swindell, Simon Webb and Tom Stubbs & Micheal Smith.

www.irational.org/drawing_exchange/festival_2009
www.spikeisland.org.uk
www.marciafarquhar.com