Helen Elizabeth Kuumbi |Artist| Cornwall  

 I spent a week using Millbrook Chapel of Rest as my working space to develop artworks and an exhibition, I used this time to explore the notion of sanctuary in relation to our woodlands and tree-scape. This theme built upon an existing body of work ‘Through the Trees’ that celebrates our ancient trees and woodlands.

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The Chapel offered interesting possibilities and restrictions for installation. There is only natural light; it changes throughout the day offering shadows, strong contrasts and diffuse, coloured light. There is no conventional hanging space but anchor points to play with, open space and textures.

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During the week I created a hanging lines of ink drawings, that fluttered like leaves in the breeze. Some of these drawings were slow-drawn, with gravity and movement; the ink responding. I used natural inks that I made from bark, galls and nuts.

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The time enabled me to reflect and develop ideas about where I would next take this subject; the potentials of using these inks, and other concepts to explore as a continuation of this theme. 

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It was a valuable experience to have a different space in which to come to, review my art, reflect on the subject, and enable focused creativity. I had steady stream of visitors on the Saturday and Sunday and many interesting conversations about both my work and the space.