Mother and daughter Ali and Meryl Stringell on finding balance and harmony and the importance of exchanging ideas
Little Dog – Himalayan paper, ink: ali Stringell
Hi Ali – We are delighted that this year will be the tenth anniversary for you and your mother exhibiting together in the AOH festival! Would you like to tell us a little about both of your artist practices and what resonances they have with one another?
It’s hard to put into words what I do – I just do it! The journey becomes delightful & creative or on the other hand, very frustrating! I trained as a theatre & costume designer at the Slade School of Art, with a practice of making models, props, masks & the designing of costumes to create characters. I also worked in opera and ballet. This was many years ago but has been the continuous ‘thread’ that connects my work. Whether drawing an ostrich, crow, chicken, bird or making a vessel or spoon in silver or paper; these are all ‘characters’ of some whimsical sort or sculptures in small form.
Little Bird – wire, papers, ink: ali Stringell
I like exploring and experimenting with differing materials. Sculpting and designing with paper and silver; drawing and mark-making with charcoal and ink; putting down a note – a visual idea. ‘Serendipity’ plays a huge part. I try to follow my intuition but basically – play! This same practice lead me to write and illustrate my first children’s picture book, Miss Moo-Poo, published in 2022 and launched in the same year, here at No.35 and the 40th Anniversary of the AOH festival. I continue to work on ideas for my next.
An Apple a Day – oil on canvas: Meryl Stringell
My mother, Meryl, has been a painter for many years. She was given a box of oil paints for her 21st Birthday. After her family had flown the nest, in her 50’s she finally took herself off to Camberwell College of Arts, to study for a degree in Fine Art and Silversmithing. Since then she has painted landscapes and still life, always in oil. Favouring a low key palette, light on the subject is her main inspiration.
My mother has always encouraged my creativity – even now. And I hopefully do the same for her. We share an ancestry of artists and craftspeople and continue their story.
Flowers of April – oil on canvas: Meryl Stringell
Did you exhibit together before taking part in AOH – and how has it influenced the way you each work?
We have exhibited together for many years whilst also exhibiting separately with galleries, both nationally and abroad. The artists, designers and makers of Ditchling, took me under their very creative ‘wing’ and introduced me to AOH and the Art in Ditchling Trail. With my mother alongside we joined in 2015 and have never looked back. This is our 10th year. No.35, gave me a studio and home gallery – a place to work and a perfect space to exhibit in a very artistic village, surrounded by artist friends and the beautiful South Downs.
My mother and I work independently in our separate studios. We constantly support each other during the process by exchanging ideas and critique. We curate to find balance and harmony, when exhibiting together each May festival.
Golden Chicken – Himalayan paper, ink, gold leaf: ali Stringell
I love your birds and animals made of Himalayan paper – can you tell us about these?
Working with various papers has always been at the heart of what I do. I seek out many types of Himalayan and Indian paper, finding something that catches my eye. The paper birds, chickens and little dogs are recent works and begin with a wire sculpture. With the addition of making marks, handwriting in ink and printing on all types of handmade rag paper, Himalayan paper, paper-bags, postcards, odd bits of scrap paper or papers found whilst travelling in India, I assemble these as I’m working. The wire creates the shape and the papers become the body, feathers or patterning bringing the ‘essence’ of it to life. The ‘Chickens’ and the ‘Little Dog’ begin to form and the ‘Little Bird’ flies into place!
Last Summer – oil on canvas: Meryl Stringell
What special ingredient do you feel your relationship brings to your Open House exhibition?
As mother and daughter, we welcome many visitors to the May festival – many of whom return each year to view our work. We are always overwhelmed by this. In a way, this drives us forward. Seeing people appreciate our work is gift enough and is a big part of why we do, what we do! Exhibiting together is a celebration – it’s what binds us.
Ali and Meryl Stringell
My mother paints in her studio most days – so disciplined! She is my inspiration. I hope to mirror her graceful work ethic, at a wonderful late age.
Visit: No.35
35 High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8SY
No.9 on the Ditchling Trail