As I step into Ben Edge's studio, a whirlwind of furry excitement greets me - a toy poodle named Lunar and its owner, a mannequin clad in garlands of artificial flowers, posing like the very embodiment of the artist. It's not just any sculpture, but a self-portrait that reimagines the grandeur of Renaissance equestrian monuments and draws inspiration from British folklore. Where Must We Go in Search of Our Better Selves is more than just a work of art; it's an exploration of identity and the human quest for unity.
For Edge, the experience at London's Tower Hill ten years ago marked a turning point. Witnessing druids reenacting their spring equinox ceremony sparked a renewed connection to nature. This realization led him down a path of rediscovery, fueling his artistic journey and forging him into a leading figure in the British folk renaissance.
The movement Edge now represents seeks to revive the storytelling traditions that once bound communities together. From wassailing in January to morris dancing at the spring equinox, these practices offer a radical strategy for addressing the crises of our age - reconnecting with nature and embracing the universal concerns that underpin human experience.
Children of Albion, the epic painting accompanying Edge's exhibition, is a visual survey of the people and events that have shaped the British Isles. It's an exploration of what it means to be British in a rapidly changing world, where regional customs may seem ill-equipped to bring tolerance and unity to our fractured society. And yet, for Edge, folk traditions hold a deep significance - one rooted in universal concerns about birth, death, and the seasons.
The artist believes that restoring this fractured relationship with nature is key to addressing the climate emergency. The lockdowns, while a tragedy, brought a fundamental shift in people's mindsets about Britain and its place in the world. As Edge notes, it was a time when people fell in love with their immediate landscapes and felt a sense of pride.
Edge's own artistic process operates independently, unbound by traditional gallery norms. "There isn't a gallery that's going to come along and save you - you need to build your own art world," he emphasizes. It's this spirit of self-sufficiency that has led him to success, as he continues to puzzle out the complexities of identity in a post-Brexit era.
With Children of Albion on display at the Fitzrovia Chapel from November 6th to the 26th, Edge invites us all to join him on his journey of self-discovery and exploration. By embracing our shared human experiences and reconnecting with nature, we may just find ourselves better equipped to navigate the challenges of our age.
For Edge, the experience at London's Tower Hill ten years ago marked a turning point. Witnessing druids reenacting their spring equinox ceremony sparked a renewed connection to nature. This realization led him down a path of rediscovery, fueling his artistic journey and forging him into a leading figure in the British folk renaissance.
The movement Edge now represents seeks to revive the storytelling traditions that once bound communities together. From wassailing in January to morris dancing at the spring equinox, these practices offer a radical strategy for addressing the crises of our age - reconnecting with nature and embracing the universal concerns that underpin human experience.
Children of Albion, the epic painting accompanying Edge's exhibition, is a visual survey of the people and events that have shaped the British Isles. It's an exploration of what it means to be British in a rapidly changing world, where regional customs may seem ill-equipped to bring tolerance and unity to our fractured society. And yet, for Edge, folk traditions hold a deep significance - one rooted in universal concerns about birth, death, and the seasons.
The artist believes that restoring this fractured relationship with nature is key to addressing the climate emergency. The lockdowns, while a tragedy, brought a fundamental shift in people's mindsets about Britain and its place in the world. As Edge notes, it was a time when people fell in love with their immediate landscapes and felt a sense of pride.
Edge's own artistic process operates independently, unbound by traditional gallery norms. "There isn't a gallery that's going to come along and save you - you need to build your own art world," he emphasizes. It's this spirit of self-sufficiency that has led him to success, as he continues to puzzle out the complexities of identity in a post-Brexit era.
With Children of Albion on display at the Fitzrovia Chapel from November 6th to the 26th, Edge invites us all to join him on his journey of self-discovery and exploration. By embracing our shared human experiences and reconnecting with nature, we may just find ourselves better equipped to navigate the challenges of our age.
! I mean, who wouldn't want to revisit their roots and tap into that old British magic? Ben Edge's got it right, those lockdowns were like a blessing in disguise – we finally started appreciating the little things again. And this whole movement of reviving storytelling traditions is just so refreshing. It's like we're finally reconnecting with our heritage and each other 
. I'm not saying I'd want to trade in my phone for a wassailing pole or anything, but there's something special about those old folk practices that just feels... wholesome 
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! I love how his art isn't just about aesthetics, but also about exploring identity and unity in a world that feels really fractured right now. His connection to nature is so inspiring - I mean, who wouldn't want to revive the storytelling traditions that once brought communities together? 
. And I love his emphasis on self-sufficiency - it's like he's saying that we need to build our own art worlds, rather than waiting for someone else to save us.
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this Ben Edge guy sounds like a total genius 
- reimagining Renaissance equestrian monuments into a self-portrait is straight fire 
but what really gets me is how his art is all about unity and connecting with nature - it's like, we need to take care of the planet so we can actually be united as humans 
. The lockdowns were tough, but I'm glad people found a new appreciation for the little things 
The way he's exploring identity through his art is so thought-provoking... I feel like we're living in a time where people are really searching for answers. And yeah, I think the lockdowns were a game-changer - it was like people suddenly realized how much they took their surroundings for granted! 
Edge's whole vibe is just so inspiring... he's not afraid to challenge the status quo and forge his own path 
The fact that it's an exploration of identity and unity really resonates with me - in today's world, we need all the unity we can get! 
As for Edge himself, he seems like a total inspiration - embracing his artistic journey and forging his own path is so refreshing. And I love how he says there isn't a gallery that can save him, he needs to build his own art world... couldn't agree more! 
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. I mean, who wouldn't want to wassail in January or dance at the spring equinox? 
. I'm definitely checking out his Children of Albion painting - it sounds like such an epic visual journey 
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. I think it's so cool that he's not bound by traditional gallery rules, too... that spirit of self-sufficiency is really inspiring 
I'm low-key obsessed with his studio now too, that poodle Lunar is ADORBS 
And the fact that he's breaking gallery norms and doing his own thing? 
Ben Edges art is like when you finally fall asleep after a long day 
...and then have crazy dreams about Britain's past 
! But seriously, who knew mannequins could be so cute? 
The artist's journey is like the ultimate sleepover with nature 
. It's like he's tapping into something deeper and more meaningful than just some old customs – it's about finding common ground with nature and ourselves. I mean, who wouldn't want to reconnect with the seasons and all that comes with 'em? 
. I love how his art explores identity and unity, especially in these crazy times we're living in 
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. And don't even get me started on the climate emergency – he's like a breath of fresh air for our planet too! 
. Anyway, if you're feeling lost in this post-Brexit world, just head on over to the Fitzrovia Chapel and join him on his journey – it's like a modern-day pilgrimage, but with more art and less holy water 
. He's taking traditional British folklore and reimagining it in this epic way that's both nostalgic and forward-thinking. I love how he's not afraid to challenge the status quo and push boundaries - who needs galleries when you can build your own art world, right? 
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The way he reimagines these old-fashioned equestrian monuments with a modern twist and adds this British folklore vibe... it's like he's speaking directly to our souls 
. And that painting, Children of Albion? It's like a visual journal entry from his journey of self-discovery 
... a whole section dedicated to the artist's personal story? It feels like they're trying to sell us on his brand more than showcasing the art itself 
. And don't even get me started on the mannequin posing with Lunar - it's just too much 