Camilla Brendon Studio’s Spring News Letter

Kindred Studios Open Studios - A Single Tree doesn’t Make a Forest  

Saturday 8th June 12-6pm with workshops from 10am
14 Market Lane, Shepherds Bush, W12 8EZ
Tube: Goldhawk Road (Hammersmith & City) 2 min walk or Shepherd’s Bush (central line) 10 min walk.

CB is thrilled to be delivering Mini-World Workshop:

Make a mini-ecosystem vivarium with artist activist Camilla Brendon.

Learn how to create a mini-eco system with soil, plants and insects. Take it home and watch life cycles unfold before you! Booking links to follow - please keep an eye on our socials and get in touch if you would like to know more!

CB will be showing a new window living installation about interconnectivity, re-wilding and oxygen producing plants. Come and see it in the Kindred Cafe over a lovely cake at our open studios on the 8th!

Image credit: Daniel James

Lost Art of a Little Earthling - Opening this Sunday 28th April!

Lost Art of a Little Earthling curated by Muddy Mudlarks, read more here.

Opening this Sunday 6.30-10pm and runs 26 April - 2nd May by appointment contact the Muddy Mudlarks themselves!

Exhibition address:

St. Margaret's House,

21 Old Ford RoadLondon,

England,

E2 9PL

CB is looking forward to exhibiting ‘Creeper’ (image below) for the first time!

Image credit: Jon Reese

Flourish North Kensington - Planet vs. Plastic

This May half term CB will be facilitating workshops exploring re-wilding, neuro-diversity and fantasy space travel for NK families. If you are local to NK and are interested register for the workshops here.

Creatures of the Kelp

Last month Kindred’s wonderful Dan documented the costumes that CB has created for their Creatures of the Kelp Performance. CK performance has been created with Kelp Forest and raises awareness of unsustainable fishing practices. All the costumes are made from 100% found and recycled materials.

Image:  Daniel James

More news:

CB has joined a group of artists working with sustainability and eco issues, their work is showcased here. Keep a look in for upcoming shows and events.

In December CB facilitated workshops for local community groups who took part in Westway trust’s first winter perade. Images form the day are now displayed on the Wall next to Bay66 skate park and Zane was there to unveil the photo montage!

CB Studio - Winter News

Kelp Forest installed ahead of Queen Camilla’s Valentines visit to Kindred

Hello and it’s great to be back in touch! CB, as ever, has been working at Kindred and with groups in the community to realise artistic projects and this news letter has some highlights from the last three months. Feel free to say hello by replying to this email and via our socials. Studio visits can be arranged on an individual basis.

Image credit to Kindred’s own Amelia Lancaster

Kelp Forest was installed in Kindred’s central court yard ahead of HM Camilla’s visit on February 14th. During the visit CB installed mythical fish amongst the installation with local children.

After visiting serval artists studios and the courtyard Queen Camilla met with our community and shared that she is also an artist!

New Work - Plastic Painting

Image credit to Kindred’s own Jon Rees.

This winter CB has been studio based and investigating re-wilding and how nature and manmade coexist. Working exclusively with found and recycled materials she has been plastic painting. The below image called ‘Creeper’ is made form many layers of plastic packaging set together.

More News…

Algae at the interface Contributor

CB has been invited by scientists at the Natural History Museum to contribute to a new scientific paper on her artistic work with Kelp. Keep an eye out for more on this later in the year.

Kindred Studios has a new, updated website. Please have a look and share with your networks.

The below image is a giant ghost deer puppet from December’s Winter Parade. CB was thrilled to include plastic painting in the body.

CB Studio Autumn News

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Camilla Brendon Studio’s Autumn News Letter

Voices of the Water commissioned by Global Generation

Kindred Studios Open Studios

Saturday 11th November 12-6pm with workshops from 11am
14 Market Lane, Shepherds Bush, W12 8EZ
Tube: Goldhawk Road (Hammersmith & City) 2 min walk or Shepherd’s Bush (central line) 10 min walk.

Come and say hello to to CB in studio 21C. While your here enjoy meeting over 60 artists in our four buildings, visiting our gallery and wonderful cafe and if you get there in time signing up for a free workshop from 11am-12.

CB will lead Living Mobiles Workshop which is now SOLD OUT! If you are interested in making a living mobile get in touch and we can plan some more sessions.

North Kensington Take Over at The National Theatre

CB at the National Theatre with ACAVA

October 7th was an exciting day for NK organisations as we celebrated and shared creativity from our community at the National Theatre. It was an honour to be commissioned by ACAV. During the afternoon a recycled river installation was created which explored water and how we find connections to it.

Image: CB standing amongst the installation at the NT

Creatures of the Kelp for Totally Thames  

September was action packed with the installation of Kelp Forest at Watermans Art Centre in Brentford. CB performed Creatures of the Kelp during The Creative Mile Festival and for Totally Thames’ opening night and went onto lead Mythical Mask Making a workshop developed over the summer at Meanwhile Gardens. Thanks to Hounslow Council, The Arts Council England and Thames Festival Trust for their support.

Image: Milo Robinson

A Dragon Emerges at Phoenix Court

CB was recently commissioned by Global Generation to contribute to the Voices of the Water mural. CB took inspiration from the art made by local year three students in workshops that she lead in the Story Garden over the summer term. Three artworks have now has been installed at 2 Brill Place, London, NW1 1DX. If you are in the area please have a look!

Image: part of A Dragon Emerges mural

Save the date…

Saturday 17th of December will see a Winter Parade! 3 -4pm Starting at Trellick Tower and finishing up on Portobello Green at the Winter Market. CB will be involved with North Kensington groups making costumes and puppets. This is a free event supported by Westway Trust. Please come along!

Camilla Brendon Studio's Summer News Letter

Camilla Brendon Studio’s Summer News Letter

Kindred Studios Open Studios Next Weekend! Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st May 12-6pm

Kindred Studios is the wonderful place that Camilla Brendon calls home. Next weekend offers a rare opportunity to come and meet all 65 artists and makers who will have their studio doors open. Alongside this there will be talks, workshops, music, spoken word and the cafe will be open. This epic two day event is free and fun for the whole family, we hope to see you there!

Creatures of the Kelp

CB is developing a performance to exist in and around her installation called Kelp Forest. On Sunday 21st May you will witness the first live enactment at Kindred. Starting in the Kelp Forest, which is installed on the cafe side courtyard, you will see CB and Gerald Curtis perform with movement and spoken word, at intervals through out the afternoon, check CB’s IG for timings. If you miss a performance be sure to go and visit Camilla in her studio, 21C.

Make an Eco Puppet

Saturday May 20th 4-5pm at Kindred Studios Open Studios join CB and learn how to make a puppet out of recycled materials. At the same time you can talk to her about current projects and how she established herself as an eco-artist. Reserve your place HERE.

If you’re busy next weekend - cancel your plans! If you can’t and would like to arrange a studio visit on another day please reply to this email to organise one!

Upcoming - Creatures of the Kelp at Kensington and Chelsea Art Week

CB is thrilled to announce that Kelp Forest will be installed in the gated garden at Meanwhile Gardens during KCAW this summer from June 22nd to July 2nd. During the festival there will be a creative writing, costume making and acting workshop for local young people and a performance of Creatures of the Kelp. Dates TBC. Thanks to Meanwhile Gardens for supporting and to Westway Trust for funding the project.

Read all about it! CB’s Kelp Forest and how she got to making it HERE in this reacent interview with The Art Movement.

Stay tuned to CB’s socials for ongoing updates over summer and get ready for some more big news to be revealed in her Autumn News Letter. Until then, we hope you enjoy the sunshine.

Camilla Brendon Studio’s Spring News Letter

CB is happy to invite you to two show openings featuring her work this Thursday 16th March!

20 x 20 Vision

‘20 x 20 Vision’ exhibition, curated by Jarelle Francis. Opening on Thursday 16 March form 6-9pm, do join us. At Blue House Yard next to Wood Green Tube (Picadilly Line) N22 7TB. Exhibition runs 16 - 30 March.

CB is proud to be showing two works form her reacent research around UMO’s (Unidentified Marine Objects). The work above called ‘Untitled UMO collage,’ will be shown alongside another mixed media piece on card. These works are illustrating research around Kelp Forests and UMO sightings off the British Isles and will be transformed into a performative piece on show later this year (please continue reading on for details).

‘20 x 20 Vision’ showcases work form over 50 artists who work in all media and are at all stages of their careers. The unifying them in this show is that all works are 20 x 20cm in size!

What a Woman Can Do

This Thursday 16th you are invited to see our powerful exhibition of Kindreds’ women artists! Do please join us between 6-8pm at the Kindred Gallery, Kindred Studios 13 Market Lane W12 8EZ. Nearest tube: Goldhawk Road, 2 min (Hammersmith & City Line) or Shepherds Bush (Central Line), 10 min walk. Show open by appointment until the end of March. Reply to this email to book in a visit.

CB is showing ‘Mangrove Sunset’. A piece that she made back in 2018 after a trip to the Philippines. This work marks the start of CB’s amazing journey visualising waste and ocean issues.

The painting is on drift fiber glass, which probably was once part of a small boat and she has used acrylics and polly filler to build up texture and colour.

Save The Date - Kindred Studios Open Studios!

Spring is just around the corner and Kindred will be opening its doors on May 20 and 21. Please keep the dates free, as ever there will be a jam packed schedule of talks, tours, workshops, live music, food and of course all the wonderful artists and makers. CB will be performing Creatures of the Kelp on Saturday 20th - keep an eye on her socials for updates.

Workshops - Upcoming & Past

Sunday 23rd April - Living River Mobiles at The London Docklands Museum - Sign Up Here.

Flourish Reveal was held in the February Half Term and explored spring revealing its self.

Art & Nature was a series of workshops held over January and February at Meanwhile Gardens, funded by The Natural History Museum.

Kids Eco Ocean Animals Party - Launched by Camilla Brendon Studio

Camilla Brendon Studio is happy to announce their new party concept ready for your kids party!

• Communal ocean scene art work made during event - a great memory which can be displayed 

• Participants make recycled sea creatures which they can take home

• £420 for up to fifteen children, £18 for each extra child

• We can come to venues across London or your home (included in price) 

• The party lasts an hour and a half , we recommend hiring the space for a bit longer to have food after

• Request your party HERE please put ART PARTY in the subject line

Eco Parties Launched by Camilla Brendon Studio!

Kelp Cocktail Eco Art Party 

Camilla Brendon Studio is happy to announce their new party concept just ahead of the festive season. 

• Each guest receives a Kelp Cocktail or mocktail and seaweed nibbles 

• Communal recycled art work made during event - a great memory which can be displayed 

• Participants make eco-accessories to take away 

• £550 for up to ten people, £45 for each extra guest 

• We can come to venues across London or your home (included in price) 

• The party lasts two hours, we recommend hearing the space for longer to have additional drinks and food 

Request your party HERE please put ART PARTY in the subject line

Camilla Brendon Studio Winter News

Community of Hope Bristol - Upcoming Exhibition and Auction

We are very pleased to announce that Kelp Forest will be shown at Center Space Gallery in Bristol from 18th - 30th November. To compliment the exhibition Camilla will facilitate Kelp & Critters on November 19th from 12 - 3pm and participate in the panel discussion that evening form 5 - 6.30pm Please follow the links to reserve your places.

The curators for Community of Hope are running an auction and all proceeds will go towards funding the exhibition. The auction will be online and run form October 31st - November 6th. Follow this link to view artworks and big. Camilla Brendon Studio has presented ‘Living From The Land’ to be sold at the auction.

'Living from the Earth' 2020 - will be included in the auction.

Kindred Studios Art Fair

With the festive season fast approaching Kindred members will be hosting an affordable art and gift sale with everything £250 and under on Saturday 12 Nov -11-5pm & Sun 13 Nov -12-4pm at Kindred Studios 14-15 Market Lane W12 8EZ.

CB studio will have a range of wearable recycled accessories which support ocean initiatives and original artworks at great prices! Keep an eye on their socials for sneak-peak previews!

Flyer for Made in Kindred art market

Kindred Studios x Sheperd’s Bush Market

We were thrilled to be invited to facilitate Eco Autumn Accessories during the market’s community consultation. Much of what goes into CB’s art is sourced directly form the market and these workshops gave participants ideas and skills around reuse and creative circular economies. We look forward to collaborating with the market as it continues to grow.

Camilla Brendon with participants at Eco Autumn Accessories.

Kelp Forest at Nine Elms x Totally Thames Festival

We would like to say a massive thank you to Wandsworth Council for hosting Kelp Forest at Totally Thames 2022 at the Nine Elms Pavillion. Follow this link to hear CB in conversation about Kelp Forest.

Camilla Brendon Studio Summer News!

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Kelp Forest at Totally Thames and Re-Wild Ilford!

Happy Summer holidays from Camilla Brendon Studio! We are thrilled to announce that Kelp Forest continues its journey to different UK venues, read on for details. We are also letting you know about several free art workshops coming up over the summer and will update you on Tiny Ocean Plants!

Kelp Forest at Nine Elms Pavilion

We are super excited to be installing Kelp Forest in Nine Elms, during Totally Thames 2022, come and see the installation from 23rd September - 2nd October. The installation will be in the Nine Elms Pavilion and poignantly positioned between the Thames and South Circular. Kelp & Critters recycled art workshop will run on Saturday 24th September from 1-4pm and is free and drop in. Please reserve your place by clicking on the link above and bring some single use items that were destined for the bin to incorporate into your art.

This project is supported by Wandsworth Council.

Tiny Ocean Plants

Tiny Ocean Plants Exhibition was a wonderful way to showcase the objects that were made in the family workshops, which took place during June. These images show some of the work which was shown at Meanwhile Gardens and was part of Kensington and Chelsea Art Week. This project was funded by Kensington and Chelsea. See more HERE.

Re-Wild Ilford

Camilla Brendon is thrilled to be selected to participate in Re-Wild Ilford. during her residency she will explore the Roding River, it’s history and reimaging how the community would like to see it today. She will facilitate free workshops from 19th - 21st August which will explore recycled collage, 3D recycled living mobile making and fictional story telling to project a reality that the participants of workshops would like to experience.

Book your free ticket to the opening event on August 26th from 5-7pm here.

August Family Workshops

It’s the holidays and CB says what better time than to make recycled art which visualises ocean issues and promotes causes to action?

Find her facilitating meaningful, free family fun at these events. Follow links to find out more and reserve your place!

Chisenhale Summer of Art Saturday 6th August

Three Free Tuesdays at The London Canal Museum (9th and 23rd August)

A.C.A.V.A. Flourish Echo 16 - 18th August

Camilla Brendon Studio Spring News

Tiny Ocean Plants

I am looking forward to Meanwhile Gardens hosting us over three Saturdays in June and July to make a collaborative Tiny Ocean Plants installation artwork. Drop in workshops are being held on Saturday 11th June and Saturday 25th June, from 11am-4pm, come to one or both workshops to make recycled Tiny Ocean Plant - or phytoplankton - art. You will also learn how to make eco cleaners. Workshops are free but please register to secure your place, using the button below. The installation will be shown on Saturday July 2nd from 11am-7pm and is part of Kensington and Chelsea Art Week - and free for all to visit! Thanks to The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s Art Grant and to Meanwhile Gardens.

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Kelp Forest - Enhancing Biodiversity and Fighting Climate Change

Kelp Forest - Enhancing Biodiversity and Fighting Climate Change, 2022; donated single use plastics and salvaged fishing rope and spider plants; approx 90 pieces, various dimensions.

Image Credit: Georgia Metaxas

Kelp Forest was installed at London Performance Studios during the first week of April as a Seeding Space Residency. The pilot run of the project saw a workshop called Kelp & Critters and a panel debate called What Kelp Does For Us. It was wonderful to see so many kelp enthusiasts and kelp curious visitors in the forest - supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Since returning to Kindred Studios I’ve been busy planning the next steps in the project and have a couple of very exciting updates to come shortly.

Kindred Studios Open Studios

Kindred will once again be opening its doors on18th and 19th June 12-6pm. (CB studio will be open on the 19th only, due to a close friends wedding!) Come and say hello to all the residents take part in workshops, see art, buy art and enjoy this beautiful location which we have, just off Shepherds Bush Market. If you can’t make the open studios but would like to come and visit reply to this email and we can arrange a time.

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East End Canal Festival

It’s been a long time coming, but two years late is better than never! I am really excited to be offering two days of free drop in workshops (from 11am-5pm), called Canal Critters which will explore the wildlife that lives in the Regents Canal - then goes onto offer participants the chance to make their own Canal Critter out of salvaged and single use materials. The workshops are free and drop in. There is an entire programme of events planned, see more here. I will also be exhibiting works from my Kelp Forest series in the gallery space at the Mile End Pavilion as part of the festival.

Camilla Brendon Studio Winter News

Kelp Forest - Enhancing Biodiversity and Fighting Climate Change

I’m really excited to be in the production phase of a new body of work all about kelp, which will see a pilot run from April 6th-9th at London Performance Studios, I hope to see loads of you there, information on how to visit and what’s on is below.

In my studio with the growing Kelp Forest

I have worked closely with scientists and environmentalists to learn about kelp forests and through this project I will creatively highlight kelp and how wonderful it is.

WHEN | WHERE | HOW | SOCIAL

The Exhibition: Free entry and open to all - 6th - 8th of April 10am - 4pm Saturday the 9th 10am - 2pm, booking is essential HERE.

Kelp and Critters: Art workshop exploring making animals, using recycled materials, that use kelp as a breeding ground and for shelter. Wednesday 6th of April 11am - 3pm drop in, free, booking is essential HERE

What Kelp Does For Us: Panel debate with artists, scientists and activists. Friday the 8th of April 7 - 8.30pm, free, booking is essential HERE.

At London Performance Studios, Penarth Centre, Penarth St, London SE15 1TR

Connect: Instagram Twitter www.camillabrendon.com #camillabrendon

Kelp washed up on Roker Beach spotted during a research trip in January.

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Back at Kindred Studios!

I am delighted to have re-joined the Kindred family at their current site next to Shepard’s Bush Market. We are planning an Open Studio on June 18th and 19th, save the date and more details will come. Until then if you fancy a visit and a kelp themed conversation get in touch!

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It’s What We Do Next Panel Debate

Last year the artists involved in It’s What We Do Next had a debate which was recorded and is now online until February 17th, listen to what we all had to say HERE.

Camilla Brendon Studio Autumn New 2021

Hello from Camilla Brendon Studio!

It’s good to be back in action after a couple of years in lock down and adjusting to becoming a mum. I wanted to get in touch ahead of COP26, so that you can get an idea of some relevant projects that I’ve been involved in. Do get in touch if you’d like to know more or keep an eye on my socials. Thank you for all the support - CB.

Sustainability First Art Prize

I’m honoured to have been shortlisted for the Sustainability First Art Prize 2021, with my work Living Canal Mobiles (below) made during my 2019 residency at Chisenhale Studios. Voting for the People’s Choice Art Prize is open until this Sunday the 31st you can vote for my work, along with all nominated artworks and writing HERE.

Living Canal Mobiles, fenders, rope and fresh water plants, 2019. Image: Georgia Metaxas

Together for a Fair Climate Future

My work has also been included in Sustainability First’s digital book Together for a Fair Climate Future which is downloadable HERE.

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It’s What we do Next

Tiny Ocean Plants, Mixed Media,120x90cm, 2020

I’m thrilled to be part of this online exhibition that coincides with COP26, Glasgow. It’s What we do Next runs from November 1st - December 31st 2021. View the show HERE.

Live Debate

I will be a panelist in a live debate discussing themes explored in the exhibition and wider themes around climate change on Thursday 11th November at 7pm, tickets and information HERE.

University of Hertfordshire Digital Residency and Kelp Forest Development

In September 2020 I was set to be artist in residency at The University of Hertfordshire Arts Faculty. This residency went digital due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In my studio working on Kelp Forest mixed media collage diptych on donated canvas, September 2020.

Find out more on my residency and the brilliant arts program delivered by UH Arts HERE.

Mid way through 2020 I began to think about ocean systems which are under threat and launched a deeper investigation into kelp forests as they are native to UK waters and provide our coastline with protection and breeding grounds as well as providing oxygen and storing carbon. Long fascinated with seaweeds and the diverse range of shapes and colours that exist I wanted to create a way for wide audiences to connect with the kelp forests as they would connect to trees which grow on land. To do this I began to make sculptural kelp out of recycled materials and incorporated living plants.

This residency provided a platform and dedicated time exploring ways of making and visualising these amazing forests which are normally hidden by our oceans. 

Watch the studio tour and workshop that I lead.

Detail from Kelp Forest maquette. Plastic is woven into wire and spider plants hang form the canopy structure.

Then the project was put on hold... Shortly after finishing my residency in September 2020, I contracted Covid-19 and spent several months recovering. 

Now back in action, the next step is to develop this project into a full size adaptable kelp forest installation, which will be toured around schools, museums and conferences. This will allow audiences to connect with the forests, which are often out of sight out of mind, and to realise the stunning beauty and importance that they hold from venues on dry land. 

Thanks to The University of Hertfordshire for supporting my residency and commissioning two Create It + Share It recycled art activities. These have now been included in a pack for schools to help children access creative activities when learning remotely.

Drawing United Collective - Phytoplankton Series

Last month I was accepted into the artist collective Drawing United. The collective brings together artists who are visualising climate issues and all artists give a percentage of their sales to a nominated charity which works around the issue that they are highlighting.

DU has showcased my Phytoplankton or Tiny Water Plant series of collages created in the peak of the UK lock down and which are sold in support of water charity Thames21.

Have a look at the DU website and the range of interesting artists they represent who are visualising a wide range of environmental issues.

Full article: https://www.drawing-united.com/all-campaigns/drawing-for-our-oceans/plastic-flowing-into-oceans-a-phytoplankton-disaster/

Tiny Water Plant IV 22x22cm mixed media on paper using packaging accumulated in the home during the lock down of 2020.

Plastic Matter Installation Images

Here are images taken by the University of Hertfordshire’s photographer just before the university went into lock down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The fact that this exhibition coincided with a pandemic and that it was questioning consumerism and the throw-away use of plastic reveals a clear message that we as humans need to change our life styles. My upcoming projects will look more into ways we can do this on a local level.

A.C.A.V.A Flourish at Home

Just as lock down began towards the end of March I was asked if I could adapt an activity to be done by families at home as part of A.C.A.V.A’s Flourish program.

Tiny Ocean Plant’s was adapted to make phytoplankton masks out of recycled house hold materials. The image above is of me modelling a prototype!

To see the activity beautifully illustrated and to take part follow this link to Flourish’s blog.

Tiny Ocean Plants by Camilla Brendon

In the ocean there are millions of tiny microscopic plants called phytoplankton. They produce much of the oxygen on earth and store carbon dioxide which is important to combat climate change. 

They also look amazing!

Today we are going to make a Tiny Ocean Plant inspired mask.

2020/04/09 — 08:05am#flourishathome

Enjoy wearing your mask! 

Please share your work using #ACAVAathome and #Flourishathome on your favourite social media platform. You can find us on Twitter, Insta and Facebook.

I look forward to seeing your masks!

In a Time of Climate Crisis | Part 1

Thanks to A la Luz magazine for writing about climate issues and art, their articles are much needed and incredibly interesting. My practice has been included in this write-up about artists who are adapting their way of working to become more considerate of our environment, this is a trend which I hope will become the norm over time. To see the full article click HERE.

We continue the theme of re-purposing with London-based artist Camilla Brendon. Camilla describes herself as “an installation artist from a painting background”. She’s known for her use of found materials, which has been a core element of her art practice since studying.

“I began focussing on salvaged materials to make art more accessible, especially for participants of workshops that I facilitate as part of my practice. I am currently working towards using 100% found and donated materials in my work. I’ve got to this place organically over time, as I’ve learned more it’s become apparent how much waste there is and how important it is to use what we already have, instead of continuing to consume.

Plastic Inlay II 2019 | Wood salvaged from Limehouse Marina + canal plastic | 112 x 34 x 9 cm | Photo credit: Georgia Metaxas

As a colourist my main challenge in this is moving away from synthetic paints. I am always investigating and experimenting with found and natural colours. I’ve been collecting plastic packaging like dog food bags; cut into strips to use for my signature streamers; to harder plastics crushed up to make dust, used for my gem-inlay pieces. I’m beginning to experiment with natural pigments and I’m currently looking for a course on natural pigments.”

Camilla enjoys working in public spaces and with audiences who might not usually encounter contemporary art. She strongly believes that “a picture says a thousand words and that education shapes the future”, she tells us.

Camilla collecting algae during her residency Coast - Hertford Union Canal at Chisenhale Studios, 2019.

Collaboration | Reaching beyond the studio

In an effort to push the boundaries of her chosen area of focus, Camilla has worked with the water charity Thames21 on how to clean waterways, and is active with groups that help to maintain the London canal system, including the Lower Regents Coalition. These collaborations have given her skills to lead art + environment and art + science workshops, such as Living Canal Mobiles and Tiny Ocean Plants. She was the invited artist at EurOCEAN2019 and Ocean Action in February. Attending and participating in these kinds of events has been “a truly informative experience” for her – “this is because scientists and policy makers inform my practice and by meeting them in person we can discuss how their policy and research is received by people who don’t work in the field.”

Later this year Camilla will run Phytoplankton in the City at Meanwhile Gardens in North Kensington, London. This will be a series of free intergenerational workshops and an exhibition open to all (June 27th, TBC) as part of Kensington and Chelsea Art Week.

“The project is exploring the importance of phytoplankton in mitigating climate change because they produce more oxygen than the Amazon rainforest and are capable of sinking carbon. They are dying off in huge numbers for various reasons, some of which are warming sea temperatures, ocean acidification and chemicals that reach the water system. In the workshop participants will make natural cleaners, so that less chemicals have a chance of reaching the ocean and they will learn about sustainable sculpture making, using recycled materials.”

Plastic Matter

Plastic Matter is now online HERE.

Plastic Matter opened last Tuesday at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. Humans Make Plastic and Hertford Union & Coast have been included in this exhibition that shines a light on plastic. The exhibiting artists explore plastic and ways to use it. I believe that plastic is a valuable material which is misused and change needs to be made on an individual and global level. It was interesting to hear the other artists talk, as we all seem to share this opinion and be expressing it in different visual styles.

The exhibition runs until April 18th.

Humans Make Plastic, 2018, installed in the window of the gallery.

Here I am below a rainbow and Humans Make Plastic happy that this natural colour dash graced the opening.

Plastic Matter opening reception.

Hertford Union & Ocean and Humans Make Plastic in Plastic Matter.

This text is taken form UH’s website, click HERE for more.

Seyi Adelekun, Maria Arceo, Camilla Brendon, Hilary Jack, David Kefford, Steve McPherson, Jill Townsley and Daniel Webb

Hertford Union & Ocean, found plastic and donated rope and hose pipe, 2019.

We encounter plastic in our everyday actions; we buy it, use it, throw it away when we are done, we touch it as we type on our phones, travel in our cars, open pre-packaged food. Plastic is synonymous with modern life and an increasingly contentious issue.

Plastic is essential to important industries and key to convenience. Yet plastic consumption and pollution, particularly in our oceans, is an increasingly critical subject matter.

Rather than concentrating on the dichotomies of this disparate, unresolved and complex issue, the exhibition gathers a mix of tales of plastic –
as inspiration, material, resource and waste.

Artists in Plastic Matter explore different aspects to plastic’s story; its potential to become something more treasured, its availability and its hasty disposal. Through their work, the artists imbue new worth and meaning to the material, and ask us to consider its role and future in contemporary society.

Opening Reception: Tuesday 25 Feb, 16:00 - 18:00 All Welcome

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Humans Make Plastic

My upcoming workshop will be held in the gallery space on March 10th. The workshop is free, booking is essential. Read the UH article HERE.

Join exhibiting artist Camilla Brendon to create something special from used plastic.

A visual arts workshop with artist Camilla Brendon who works with bold colour, striking forms and found, foraged or donated plastic.

Humans Make Plastic II is the latest workshop in the Humans Make Plastic series. Participants are asked to bring something made of plastic that they often throw away at home or at work. In groups, workshop attendees present their pieces of plastic then go onto make a group sculpture or mobile out of their plastic and other plastic supplied by the artist.

The workshop is designed as a platform to open up dialogue around our use of plastic and throwaway culture. Mindful conversation and experimentation are encouraged, rather than focusing on an end result. After the workshop Brendon will create Humans Make Plastic II, an artwork that incorporates the smaller pieces made by each group.

Camilla is one of the exhibiting artists in the Plastic Matter exhibition, she is exhibiting works from her ongoing project, Coast (2017-20) which explores oceans and waterways in an attempt to improve ocean literacy and spark dialogue around wider marine issues in the global community. Coast combines art, activism, science and education to produce interdisciplinary work in which Brendon has collaborated with marine biologists, plastics researchers and water maintenance groups.

Humans Make Plastic I, 2018.

10 March 2020

Event details

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Ocean Action - Humans Make Plastic

It was a pleasure to be the invited artist at Ocean Action . Humans Make Plastic was showcased alongside a day of making a new Humans Make Plastic piece which as ever encouraged dialogue around consumption, waste and ocean issues and also encouraged conference participants to have a go at making.

Ocean Action participant from the amazing Cyan Planet team take part in Humans Make Plastic III

Before the conference which was held in Brussels I spent a few days in Belgium. During this time I visited my friends, who commissioned a Gem Inlay piece for the EurOCEAN2019 conference last June in Paris, at The European Marine Board in Ostend.

The beach at Ostend is wide and goes on as far as the eye can see.

Although the beach looks pristine, on closer inspection there is all manner of manmade items, small and large. This is the case with all the beaches and inland water systems that I have worked with.

Plastics found at Ostend, the tidal Thames and the London canal system, make up part of Humans Make Plastic III.

Thanks to Seas at Risk for arranging Ocean Action and for taking an innovative approach involving policy makers, artists, scientists and engaged members of the public.

Here I am with Humans Make Plastic III.