2020
JAN MULLEN

ARTIST STATEMENT
DRIFTING IN THE DEEP & BRINY BLUE

Over & Under the Deep & Briny Blue is a wide open and wordy theme to work to, though one that allowed me to explore extensively – this exploration, for me, is a wonderful part of this annual project. I had a year of reading classic maritime texts, of viewing undersea footage with delight, of investigating fishing in all forms, and of trying hard but failing to include my personal connections to the sea. Ultimately I responded to little of my research directly – instead I relaxed and simply went with the flow.

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue

Once handmade from natural materials by skilled artisans then repaired for as long as was feasible. Skills long gone, todays ghostly veils made from ‘unnatural’ materials float loose and broken, wrecked and wrecking.

Size – 50cm x 3m (wxh), Materials – rope, fabric (silk, linen, cotton), Technique – digital printing, hand stitch, knotting

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue #1 - crystal clear

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue #1 - crystal clear (detail)

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue #2 - clear & blue

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue #2 - clear & blue (detail)

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue #3 - deep & green

Drifting in the Deep & Briny Blue #3 - deep & green (detail)

The Calm & Balm of the Deep & Briny Blue – 3 SERIES

Afloat upon, immersed within, watched from close or afar – the sea mesmerises, excites and soothes. Present yourself to its expanse with anger or disappointment and be healed. Place your feet in the sand and the sea’s any-weather balm will build you anew.

Size: 24 x 24.5cm. Materials: paper, watercolour paint, frame. Technique: painting.

SERIES 1 – Phathlo blue

#1 Phathlo blue

#2 Phathlo blue

#3 Phathlo blue

#4 Phathlo blue

#5 Phathlo blue

SERIES 2 – INDIGO blue

#6 Indigo blue

#7 Indigo blue

#8 Indigo blue

#9 Indigo blue

#10 Indigo blue

SERIES 3 – Antwerp blue

#11 Antwerp blue

#12 Antwerp blue

#13 Antwerp blue

#14 Antwerp blue

#15 Antwerp blue

Schools in, in the Deep & Briny Blue

Sardines are amongst the tiddlers of the ocean – ubiquitous. When massing in schools and swirling in the deep their iridescent colour gently glows.

Total size – 1m x 1.2m (wxh) variable
Materials – fabric (silk, linen, cotton), thread, buttons/beads, watercolour paint, coloured pencil. Technique – free machine stitching, painting, hand stitch.

Schools in, in the Deep & Briny Blue

Sailing around the Deep & Briny Blue

Three Globes
The intricacies of antique etched prints of the sea, describing movement simply, hold great appeal. This language of old lines, and the patterns created by them, is one I do not yet chase to include in my art armoury instead I ‘use’ the old and authentic to show my appreciation of time and place and history.

Size: variable dimensions, approximately 19cm x 22cm (WxH). Materials: beach ball, fabric, batting, stuffing, ink, thread, plaster. Technique: sculpting the beach ball, digital printing on fabric, hand stitch.

#1 Southerly

#2 Easterly

#3 Northerly

Stories of the Deep & Briny Blue – 5 series

When starting my research for this year’s theme my go-to was the classic literature I have read over the years. Old words, poetry and statements, so difficult to winnow. As the year progressed I moved to the the songs of the sea and the delights of sea shanties, resting easily with the gentle words of Emily Dickensen.

TREASURE ISLAND

BY THE SEA

CALL ME ISHMAEL

THE OPTOMIST/THE REALIST

PORTHOLE VIEW

SERIES 1 - TREASURE ISLAND

Three Large Plates

Size – #1(39 x 39cm), #2 & #3 (39.5 x 39.5cm), Materials – Ceramic, paint, thread, Process – Hand crafted plates, incised, coloured. Glue and stitch for #3.