In Hamilton House and Member Stories by Forward Space

Member Stories: Beth Kirby

Did you know that we have many members here at Forward Space who do not work in conventional ‘desk-based’ jobs?

This month, we caught up with Hamilton House member, Beth Kirby, a Bristol-based artist whose work delves into the female experience by exploring femininity, sexuality, and the influence of social media through drawing, painting, murals, and 3D mediums. With a background in conceptual art and illustration, her work has been showcased in UK galleries, feminist zines, and murals. Beth also runs popular weekly Life Drawing classes at Hamilton House in Bristol.

Pretty cool, right?

We asked Beth some questions to find out more about her unique art, and what she loves most about living and working in Bristol.

Tell us about Bristol Life Drawing, what’s it all about and how did it start?

Bristol Life Drawing is a weekly untutored life drawing session that started in 2019. It’s a relaxed environment where you can come as you are, with great models and good materials to use included.

I started the class up because my own artwork primarily explores the human form, and I’d attended life drawing classes before moving to Bristol. Some of the ones here at the time weren’t doing it for me, so I thought.. why not start my own!

What activities/classes are on offer?

I run a weekly untutored class, and currently am running monthly tutored sessions as well as monthly day workshops.

As somebody who’s never tried life drawing, why is it worth giving a go?

It’s very calm and peaceful – lots of people say that it feels quite meditative. It’s refreshing to concentrate on just one thing for 90 minutes, and it’s even better that you’re concentrating on something creative and expressive.

Do you have to be a talented artist to attend your classes?

Absolutely not. Everyone is free to draw however they wish, and I’m always on hand to help out if you get stuck.

You’re a super talented artist – what are your main passions within your work, what inspires you?

Thanks! Art has always been a huge part of my life since I was a kid, and I’m very emotionally attached to the work I make. I try to use my work as an expression, to explore things that interest me, or how I feel about them. I suppose I would say it’s a passion to make art that reflects myself.

My work frequently discusses the human figure and elements of the concept of womanhood and what that means for me personally. I’m inspired by a great number of things, but lately have been finding inspiration in flowers, off-brand cartoon mascots and horror movie stills.

Do you have a particular piece of work that you’re really proud of? We’d love to hear all about it

This is a difficult one! I created a huge self portrait this year called Bardo #2 which felt like quite a free, expressive process.

What are your favourite things about running classes in Hamilton House?

Hamilton House is a landmark loads of people are aware of – and it’s very central in Bristol. It also helps to have a great bar downstairs!

How about living and working in Bristol as a whole, what do you love about the city?

I love the tenacity of Bristol and how fiercely Bristol fights for its values. The music scene here is great, as is the food scene – both great passions of mine – and there are lots of artists doing their own thing here. There’s a lot of freedom in the art scene.

Sadly, these 3 industries have experienced the terrible knock-on effects from a political devaluing of art and music – particularly over the last few years, but Bristol tries it’s hardest to protect them.

Do you have any great food or activity recommendations in or around Bristol?

I have a million food recommendations in Bristol, so I’ll stay local to Hamilton House:

— Farro Bakery for coffee & bread

— The Viet Kitchen for amazing Vietnamese food

— Licata & Son is an amazing Italian deli that sells fresh arancini and cannoli, it’s amazing value

— Mickey Zoggs is a great pub run by Noods Radio

— Luna Express for the most underrated pizza in Bristol

Desert island situation – what’s three things that you can’t live without?

JUST THREE! My glasses/contact lenses as I’m super blind, a notebook, and a pencil.

Have you got any exciting upcoming plans that you’d like to share?

Yes – I recently undertook a project called Inhabit at a small gallery called 17 Midland Road, where I spent a week in a gallery creating work from 30 live models. I made over 100 pieces of work in 5 days and it was an intense experience! I’m also currently in the process of creating a book documenting the experience, so that’s the next thing coming from me!