More Bucks Open Studios - Bierton

We visited an art studio in the Bucks Open Studios week. It is a hidden gem on the Bierton Road between Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard. As you drive up to it, it looks like an old unused barn, though there was a rather peculiar looking stack of strategically piled, blue-painted boxes in the field on the approach to the barn. 

We drove through the entrance and parked on the field.

It was so amazing, we turned round the corner and through the door and were met with a beautifully laid out, large room, the inside of the barn. On all the walls were pieces of art, pieces by the same artist all displayed together. Caden was really drawn to the work by this artist (below). The work was SO interesting for a child because within the circular pattern you can see on the cross/crucifix shape, there are children's toys; praying mantis; a knight; a bat, etc. Apparently the artist had raided his son's old toybox. 

The premise of this piece of art was that it represented Pandora's box. Once opened all the evils of the world were released (represented by the toys all painted in colours into the work). The cross is intended to symbolise hope which was locked inside the box when the lid was closed. 

We looked at these for quite a while, there was so much to see within the piece.

The artist there showed Caden lots of the individual toys within the work. She was incredibly helpful and friendly. It felt like a great privilege to have a personal tour of the little site and explanations of the work where possible. She was very engaging with Caden even though he was characteristically shy, which I was very grateful for. She showed us her work which was less interesting to Caden (he likes the integrated toys and bright colours) but I loved them. 

This was a piece which had bright poster colours painted on the backs of the shapes that reflected the white light shining onto them from the inside middle of the box. You can see the blue colour reflected well in the photo.  

The resident artist took us outside to let Caden play on the MOST fabulous home made slide. It was great! Caden was in his element and got all skippy-happy as you will see... 

skippy happy

There was a face in the tree here... 

Some metal ants! Aren't they great!

We went back in to look at the art again. He does love the textured stuff!

A tree shaped painting.. of a tree. 

skippy happy (haha)

We found a metal piggy

We talked with another artist who was outside who very kindly explained to us what the pile of painted boxes was all about. It was for his and other people in his family's birthdays. All in June. On the solstice he intended on setting this alight for all to enjoy. So here it... was.