imagine...
... your own sublime celestial sculpture, signed by the artist.
Aidan Shingler was born in London and now lives in Derbyshire. He is married to dancer, writer, Tricia Durdey.
He has worked as an artist, writer and activist (or as he prefers to decribe himself, Reality Tester) for four decades. He conceived and organised the Kiss it! XX Campaign – a series of national protests to expose human rights violations in the psychiatric system. He co-authored On the Receiving End which was published to highlight the emotional and psychological impact of psychiatric assault and call for radical reform of the mental health system.
Aidan Shingler’s art and writing questions and challenges common preconceptions and misconceptions. He invites those who encounter his work to see the world anew. Through creativity he celebrates life and the universe, emphasises the multi-dimensional nature of reality, and conveys the strength and fragility of the human spirit. His work is pervaded by signs, symbolism, synchronicity and significance.
Aidan Shingler's exhibitions have toured the United Kingdom. He was curator of the 1990 Visions show at the Royal College of Art and is creator of StarDisc, a 21st century stone circle and celestial amphitheatre located in the Derbyshire Dales. He is co-founder of the StarDisc Trust – registered Charity no. 1160015.
Aidan Shingler's art is included in permanent collections:
■ Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
■ The University of Nottingham, School of Medicine
■ County Hall, Derbyshire
He has worked as an artist, writer and activist (or as he prefers to decribe himself, Reality Tester) for four decades. He conceived and organised the Kiss it! XX Campaign – a series of national protests to expose human rights violations in the psychiatric system. He co-authored On the Receiving End which was published to highlight the emotional and psychological impact of psychiatric assault and call for radical reform of the mental health system.
Aidan Shingler’s art and writing questions and challenges common preconceptions and misconceptions. He invites those who encounter his work to see the world anew. Through creativity he celebrates life and the universe, emphasises the multi-dimensional nature of reality, and conveys the strength and fragility of the human spirit. His work is pervaded by signs, symbolism, synchronicity and significance.
Aidan Shingler's exhibitions have toured the United Kingdom. He was curator of the 1990 Visions show at the Royal College of Art and is creator of StarDisc, a 21st century stone circle and celestial amphitheatre located in the Derbyshire Dales. He is co-founder of the StarDisc Trust – registered Charity no. 1160015.
Aidan Shingler's art is included in permanent collections:
■ Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art
■ The University of Nottingham, School of Medicine
■ County Hall, Derbyshire
A short film about the inspiration and aspiration for STARDISC
INSPIRATION:
"1962 aged four: I sat in the back of a small transit van driven by Roy White, a warm hearted Caribbean painter and decorator and family friend. We were travelling through Dartmoor during the hours of darkness in the vicinity of Tavistock where my parents, having moved from London, had recently set up home. At some point during our journey my companion glanced up at the night sky and exclaimed:
“Look Aidan! Look up at the stars!”
I gazed skyward and was immediately entranced; awed by the dazzling beauty of starlight witnessed for the very first time. I deluged Roy with a series of ‘whys?’ His patient answers awakened a wide-eyed child’s imagination and triggered a lifelong quest to understand humanity’s place amongst the stars.
Roy switched on radio and was thrilled to find he'd tuned directly into the unforgettable sound of The Tornado’s newly released 45rpm single ‘Telstar’. It was explained that the music had a connection with our conversation and the sparkling diamonds in the sky, and I experienced yet another first – synchronicity.
“Look Aidan! Look up at the stars!”
I gazed skyward and was immediately entranced; awed by the dazzling beauty of starlight witnessed for the very first time. I deluged Roy with a series of ‘whys?’ His patient answers awakened a wide-eyed child’s imagination and triggered a lifelong quest to understand humanity’s place amongst the stars.
Roy switched on radio and was thrilled to find he'd tuned directly into the unforgettable sound of The Tornado’s newly released 45rpm single ‘Telstar’. It was explained that the music had a connection with our conversation and the sparkling diamonds in the sky, and I experienced yet another first – synchronicity.
Aidan Shingler
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Click here to buy PSYCHE
Reviews: “A shaft of light into the darkness” Arts Journal “Inexplicably beautiful” The Guardian “Sharp, witty and in places very funny” Northern Review “Beyond categorisation” Artesian “Sheer brilliance” Mail-Out Price: £15.00 First published in 2016 by Thorntree Press Revised and republished in 2022 by Thorntree Press ISBN 978-1-9538821-9-6 Paper pack/perfect bound 160 Pages Over 40 original colour images |
Free download:
PSYCHE: the visionary potential of unusual states of consciousness by Aidan Shingler.
| psyche_by_aidan_shingler.pdf |
Reach for the stars to make contact
