I was lucky enough to visit the wonderful space that is Jupiter Gallery this week to listen in on two super talented creatives in conversation; Faye Dobinson & Alice Ellis-Bray. Alice Ellis-Bray is a Cornish artist who’s exhibition ‘The Performance of Self’ is currently running at Jupiter Gallery. Her current works include a range of self-portraits which she calls her ‘selfies’. Faye Dobinson is an artist, activist, educator and Director of the Jupiter Gallery. Faye’s work often includes the human form, emotions and love. Her work is currently included in an exhibition at the PZ Gallery, ‘Charlie Don’t Surf’.
It was such a privilege to hear these fabulous women discuss Alice’s work and the ideas and intentions behind the pieces. The conversation touched on her practice, her emotions, how she processes and interprets the world around her and how this links to all of us. It was such a welcoming and open space to sit in and be a part of. We even became part of the show as Alice performed a piece for us entitled ‘The Performance’. We were given a script and invited to collectively speak the part of the ‘Audience’ and she the part of ‘Actor’. I’m left thinking about where the ‘Actor’ and ‘Audience’ rolls begin and end and indeed where exactly does the ‘stage’ start and finish? I still feel like I need a few weeks to process the whole thing tbh! 
As always with me, the processing starts with creating. I often feel compelled to sketch as I listen to talks, often ‘blind’ (without looking directly at my paper). You can see my sketches below.
I also like to take a moment after the event to draw from memory what was significant to me. You can see the digital drawing I’ve created below. Alice is the central figure, holding a bird. She talked to us about her understanding of the phrase ‘a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush’, which really struck a cord with me. I’m left with a greater appreciation for the precious things I already have.
Emma Digerud-White.
