Joya: AiR / Alexa Wright / ENG
photo Simon Beckmann
Joya: AiR / Alexa Wright / ENG
“I came to Spain with a plan to start work on a new video piece exploring our past/present/future relationship with the natural world. On arrival my first impressions of Joya: AiR were of an oasis in the middle of a white, stony desert, and I wondered how I was going to find content there. But, as I walked (and walked, and walked), immersing myself in the surroundings, listening and looking more attentively each day, I started to notice many more signs of life – past, present and potential – human and more-than-human, all closely interwoven. Some unexpectedly rainy days brought a multitude of wild flowers and a layer of green to much of the stony white soil, and I began to think that, above all, this landscape tells stories of resilience and return.
During the three weeks I spent at Joya: AiR I shot hundreds of gigabytes of video footage, and recorded ambient sounds (although this wasn’t always easy as the birds sing very quietly in such a peaceful environment). It will take time to think about the experience and review the footage I’ve collected, but I’m excited to see what kind of work comes out of this magical experience.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to spend time at Joya - the care and attention to detail that Donna and Simon put into creating the residency is second to none. The environment is relaxed, comfortable and I always felt well cared for. The days are spacious and free, with evenings structured around a group dinner (Donna’s wonderfully imaginative, fresh food), sometimes preceded by artists presentations, and time to relax on sofas by a roaring log fire. Back in the city I’m missing Joya terribly and already wondering when I can return”.
Alexa Wright
Alexa works across different media, including photography, video, interactive installation and book-works. She has often collaborated with medical scientists, eg: Alf Linney, Professor of Medical Physics, UCL, London (1999-2010). Many of Alexa’s previous projects have involved people with mental or physical health issues, or difficult life circumstances, but her interest has recently shifted towards an exploration of our relationship with the natural world. Her work has been widely shown internationally in festivals such as: Kochi Biennale, India; FILE, SESI Art Gallery, Sao Paolo, Brazil; DaDaFest International, Liverpool, International Women Artists’ Biennale, Incheon, Korea and Athens Photo Festival. Inside Stories, a series of 11 short video diptychs, co-created with participants in 3 UK prisons, was shown at Saatchi Gallery, London, 2023, and Milton Keynes Gallery, 2024.
