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Artist Janet Tryner working on a sculpture

Artist Spotlight: Janet Tryner

Posted
Monday 9 October 2023

Artist Janet Tryner is working with WAC to lead a 3-week adult short course in November called Print and Cast. We visited her studio to find out more about her process and the ideas behind why she makes her work.

Janet Tryner: Weaving the Threads of Culture, Ecology, and Space through Art

Janet Tryner's artistic philosophy centres on examining spaces undergoing turbulence, where the familiar is upended, and new stories are poised to be unearthed. 

Her creative process is grounded in a profound connection to the environment. It often commences with the simple act of walking and collecting. 

This tactile and immersive approach allows her to intimately engage with her surroundings. She seeks out the overlooked and the extraordinary within the mundane.

In the world of contemporary art, Janet Tryner emerges as a captivating figure who delves into the intersections of culture, ecology, and urban/suburban spaces. 

Through her socially engaged multidisciplinary practice, she explores unravelling the narratives hidden beneath the surface of our surroundings. 

As we delve into her artistic journey, we'll uncover how her approach aligns with our upcoming "Print and Cast" course.

The Creative Process: Collecting Stories through Objects

Tryner's creative process is a fusion of wandering, collecting, and arranging. She embarks on walks, where fragments of everyday life and nature become the building blocks of her art. 

Her studio becomes a sanctuary for her collections, from which new artworks emerge. Each piece serves as a vessel for a unique story, capturing the essence of her discoveries.

What sets Tryner's art apart is her ability to weave seemingly disparate elements into a coherent narrative. 

She harmoniously combines natural elements like twigs from birch trees with remnants of human activities, such as discarded plastics.

These elements symbolize the intricate entanglement of our lives with the environment, carrying untold stories within them.

The "Print and Cast" Course: A Creative Playground

Janet Tryner's course "Print and Cast" offers participants the opportunity to delve into various techniques, including printing, fabric heat stamping, and casting. 

The course commences with a leisurely walk around Warwick University's landscape. Encouraging participants to collect objects and fragments, mirroring Tryner's own practice. 

It's a chance to perceive the environment with fresh eyes and uncover the hidden narratives concealed within everyday found objects. 

The course encourages experimentation and creativity. It allows participants to determine their desired outcomes, whether that be a final masterpiece or an exploration of creative possibilities.

Slowing Down for Creative Choices & Connecting with Nature through Creativity

In our frenetic world, where haste often overshadows reflection, the "Print and Cast" course offers a contrasting experience. 

It urges participants to slow down and appreciate the beauty and narratives intertwined in their surroundings. Participants collecting objects during their walks are encouraged to reflect on the concealed stories within these finds. 

Each fragment becomes a vessel for a unique narrative—an embodiment of the environment's history and the lives it has touched. One of the most compelling facets of Tryner's art is her quest to communicate with non-human beings. 

She strives to understand and convey the lives of creatures and elements often overlooked in our daily lives. Tryner believes that traces left behind by these beings provide a means of connection. 

She underscores the significance of recognizing and appreciating the diverse life forms that coexist with us.

By crafting art from the collected items, participants engage in a transformative act of connecting with nature. They breathe new life into discarded objects, granting them purpose and significance. 

This creative process nurtures a sense of responsibility and reverence for the environment. It enhances awareness of the intricate web of life surrounding them.

A New Way of Seeing and Creating

The course empowers participants to challenge their preconceived notions of art and nature. It encourages them to discover beauty and potential in unexpected places. 

The act of collecting becomes a form of meditation—a chance to reflect on the world and engage with the environment in a profound manner.

As participants experiment with diverse techniques and explore the possibilities of texture, shape, and surface in their art, they not only gain insights into the world within and around them, but also cultivate a newfound appreciation for the creative process itself. 

The course rekindles the joy of creation. It unveils the hidden stories in the world's nooks and crannies, and fosters a deeper connection with nature through artistic expression.

In a world that often prioritizes speed over depth, the "Print and Cast" course stands as a refreshing departure. 

It beckons participants to slow down, make deliberate creative choices, and, in doing so, discover a profound and transformative connection with the natural world. 

Janet Tryner's vision and the course's philosophy serve as a compelling reminder that art and nature are intertwined, awaiting rediscovery through the lens of creativity. 

Find out more and book on to join us for this 3-week course. 

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