
The official web site of Julian Richards, archaeologist, broadcaster and writer

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Art by Julian Richards

2011 is the year that I do lots of things that I have been meaning to do for a long time but have always managed to put off. One of those things is to actually make and exhibit some artworks – lots of ideas but usually nothing that gets beyond the conceptual stage.

So, from the 28th May to 5th June I am exhibiting with the Hatch Farm Artists as part of the Wylye Valley Art Trail in south Wiltshire (www.wvat.co.uk). These are a bunch of artists, some of whom I know well, who were happy to welcome me and my ideas into their group. It’s all happening at Hatch Farm, a wonderful friendly place where, during the summer, you can pick your own flowers in the flower field (The farm is owned by the Flowers family...... .www.flowersofhatch.co.uk) Andrew du Mont is a close friend, a fellow classic car fan (we go to Goodwood together and he restored my TR3 years ago) and a brilliant metal sculptor (check out www.andrewdumont.co.uk)

The pieces that are here at Hatch are the first that I have exhibited for many years. They are drawn from my work as an archaeologist, work which involves me on a daily basis with the linked ideas of intervention (digging in other words), detailed observation and decay ...

Digging the Dirt – No 1 installation

This work involves the excavation – over several days, of a circular pit within the garden of Hatch Farmhouse. The circular shape references the pits dug in prehistoric times, often for special, commemorative purposes and is in contrast to the more mechanical 1m square test pits usually dug for archaeological exploration. The excavation itself is part of the work, as are the objects that are found, whether man made (pottery or stone tools) or natural (stones or fossils). These form part of the artwork and will be replaced in the hole in a structured way as part of the reconstruction process. Further reflecting the nature of many prehistoric pits the filling will involve a range of special or symbolic materials, including the remains of meals eaten during the week. The final filling will also involve hiding the pit which will soon become invisible, remaining only in memory and photography.

Meditation - Hatch – installation

Meditation - Hatch
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This is intended to be the first in a series of works using the same means to encourage the quiet, meditative observation of a range of objects/structures and views. This work explores the idea of observation by using a found object (a large and ornate – although much decayed 19th century oak pew rail) to focus attention and to introduce the idea of calm and contemplative observation. Removed from its intended position in a church or chapel, facing the altar, the focus of worship, the pew rail, worm-eaten and weathered will, in time, become again a part of the natural world.

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