Joya: AiR / Gill Ord / UK

I’m a returner so I know Joya in some way but I noticed memory can make things slightly shift, it can reshape and the familiar has a sheen of newness, of rediscovery.

I had some ideas about this residency, planning ahead to work with my fellow artist Kay Walsh. It would involve us walking together, (so getting lost with someone) talking and gathering things along the way that could hold memory. We realised that repetition was part of the experience, noticing the variety in the landscape at different altitudes.

What luck to be there for the wild flowers, astonishing fields of yellow, magenta and wild rocket everywhere. Kay and I worked on a drawing together, each of us bringing elements that chimed for us and it built into a work that was a record, but also held the rhythm of the walks.

I also worked in my studio more directly from the surrounding landscape and from memory of the walks, I picked up sticks and these became my drawing tools, capturing the drama, the shifts and changes in light and weather, trying to take it all in and bring it to the work. I find peace here and that the air quality calms the mind, the days are long.

The unexpected delights of reading a part in a play, drinking healing herbal tea and a soothing clay face mask. The delicious food but also the well honed humour of Donna and Simon as they facilitate all the workings, they do so with such absolute grace. Joya is an incredible achievement and I am very grateful for the enriching time I’ve just had here. Processing the work I made will take time, but I feel that is the nature of Joya, it will and has provided fuel for the studio for years to come”.

Gill Ord

Simon Beckmann15 May 2025