Alke Schmidt

Our next artist is Alke Schmidt, whose often provocative work has featured in all previous E17 Art Trails. The images here give a sense of how her multi layered images emerge, but we won't know what she's doing with those doilies until September.....

1. Please tell us about the work you will be showing in the 2009 E17 Art Trail?
a) I've been invited by the Quakers to exhibit in the Quaker Meeting House on Jewel Road as they felt that my work reflects Quaker values. The show will be called Witness. I'm hoping to exhibit new work (which I'm making right now) which suits the space and which centres around the financial crisis and specifically how those in power (the financial industry, the politicians, the fossil fuel industry) are determined to maintain the status quo and pretend it's business as usual. The works, which will involve a mix of painting, collage, and crochet (!) is specifically inspired by the appalling and disproportionate police brutality on display during the climate camps and the G20 protests earlier this year. (Hence the show title "Witness")

b) I'm also hoping to participate in the Art of Politics show at the CRG, and in the Changing Room Studio Artists Open Studios. No idea yet what I'll show there...

2. Could you have done this work anywhere, or is it specific to E17? Related to this, did you respond to this year’s Art Trail theme ‘At Home’?
The work is specific to the Quaker Meeting House in that it is inspired and reflects Quaker values: pacifism, social justice, respect for the environment, business integrity. I'm also hoping to incorporate the wall beyond the paintings - this idea was inspired by the space at the Quaker House. There is a bit of connection to the "At home" theme in that the 'revolutionary element' in the works is represented by home-made craft - i.e. a mass of random crochet doilies!

3. Have you participated in the E17 Art Trail before? Yes

4. How does your work this year relate to your previous artistic practice?
It's a complete continuum in terms of both subject matter and techniques/media. I would have made the work even without the trail, although it's good to have a deadline, and I'm really excited about working with the Quakers.

5. What challenges (if any) do you face in realising this work?
Time! I've got a month to finish 4 big and presently unresolved paintings, crochet about 30 doilies, and make a piece for the Art of Politics show. Eeeeek!

6. Who is this work for?

Beyond the show at The Quakers, it's not for anyone in particular so could be exhibited again in a different format, and/or sold.

7. As well as being an artist what else do you do?
I work part-time as an environmental/sustainability expert.

8. What is your favourite place in E17?
Walthamstow Marshes

Alke Schmidt

http://www.alkeschmidt.com/