This piece was originally written as a ‘monk in the world’ piece for Abbey of the Arts here. I am currently spending a year exploring the elements in the company of the Kinship Photography Collective. My practice group (a special mix of people who are able to meet on zoom during the day in the U.S. andContinue reading “an elemental year: Sashiko”
Tag Archives: vision
building joy
In the summer of 2023 I was awarded a bursary from DAiSY (Disability Arts in Surrey) to become artist in residence at the New Ashgate Gallery, Farnham, Surrey. The brief was to be in an ‘open studio’ situation, welcoming the gallery’s visitors and answering any questions they might have about my work and about creativityContinue reading “building joy”
I am limited
Last week it was my great honour to have another ‘monk in the world’ post published on the Abbey of the Arts Blog. Here is that post: A few months ago I wrote these words in response to a series of photographs (some of which are pictured here) I made in collaboration with the KinshipContinue reading “I am limited”
Watchnight: for growth (unknowing)
I clear the surface of my desk and make a pool of light with my lamp. I go off to fetch matches and light a candle. One light is steady and sure, the other uncertain and flickering. I open my notebook and work between these two poles. On balance, it’s where I prefer to be:Continue reading “Watchnight: for growth (unknowing)”
Christmas Eve: for reframing
Totally conscious, and apropos of nothing, you come to me.Is someone here? I ask.The moon. The full moon is inside your house. My friends and I go running out into the street.I’m in here, comes a voice from the house,but we aren’t listening. We’re looking up at the sky.My pet nightingale sobs like a drunkContinue reading “Christmas Eve: for reframing”
Sunday 3: for presence
… dig your toes into the earth and know that you are evolving here and now, even among the untidy mess of the unknown. It’s all becoming mulch for the green growing heart of you, coming home to yourself. Jenneth Graser, Unlocking the Secret Garden (Day 28, 85) On the death of Queen Elizabeth IIContinue reading “Sunday 3: for presence”
day 10: for beauty
If anyone happened to be near the fountain which Scripture says rose from the earth at the beginning of creation … he would approach it marvelling at the endless stream of water gushing forth and bubbling out. Never could he say that he had seen all the water … In the same way, the personContinue reading “day 10: for beauty”
day 5: for darkness
Consider this. In the shadow of a perfectly round object, you will find a rebellious glimmer of light – a bright spot in the middle. I’m not being metaphorical here. I really mean to queer the essential and disturb its eminence. What better way to do it in this case than to point to lightContinue reading “day 5: for darkness”
heart of stone
Once again it is my honour to contribute a reflection to the ‘monk in the world’ blog of the Abbey of the Arts. This piece was first published on May 15, 2024 (although it was written in May 2023). all words and images by Kate Kennington Steer I arrived at February 2023 in a post-viralContinue reading “heart of stone”
well or w/hole (part iii)
(This is the third instalment of ‘well or w/hole?’, and it might (?!) make more sense if you read the other two instalments first. You can find them on the Blog Feed.) Let’s follow the water… One line of research around the bright-+/well project led me to think about the ‘well’ in the name BrightWellContinue reading “well or w/hole (part iii)”
image into ikon 