From Colin Allen

2 - 10 August 2019

The value of the Nyon residency for me lies in its openness. It could be anything. No expectations. I came here to get some distance from my studio practice, hoping for some perspective. Although a short residency for me it has nevertheless been of great value having to feel the weight of days unstructured by my usual displacement activities. One of the most useful things for my practice is being able to turn it around and see it in different ways. Coming to Nyon lifted me out of my comfort zone and enabled me to reflect on what I’m doing through a different lens. 

I’ve been very fortunate with the weather, the warm sunny days helped me quickly establish a swimming routine in the lake. The mornings started with a long slow swim in beautiful still clear water. I very much enjoyed the slow unravelling of thoughts as I would drift along watching the scenery. Huge mountains on one side; a backdrop on clear days revealing a snow-covered Mont Blanc, distance expanding and contracting; near and far, swimming past people’s lawns and boat houses. The space and stillness a wonderful contrast to the hemmed in familiarity of my London life. 

Another highlight was the walk Rosanna and I did from St. Cergue to La Dole finishing at La Givrine where we caught the train back down to Nyon. The spectacle of cows spread out in the valley below La Dole, their bells chiming and filling space with a musicality that proposed much; a history, sounds unchanged for generations, still present. A real privilege to have witnessed and rich with possibilities for future work.

I am very grateful for the opportunity Trelex residencies have afforded me and am sure that the fruits of it will be revealed as I get back into my studio and explore the insights I’ve gained here.

From Charlie Hawksfield

1 - 31 July 2019

I heard about the Trelex Residency Scheme from a friend who had been on the rainforest trip and I immediately signed up. I spent a month in Nyon in July and it helped my practice hugely. The space is massive and the living conditions are immaculate. Having lived in warehouses and guardianships in London I was expecting far more spit and sawdust, but in true Swiss fashion the Nyon residency space is immaculately clean, ordered and totally functional. 

As a painter I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to make a mess, but plastic sheeting, movable walls and white paint meant that i could make all the mess I wanted for a month and it only took half a day to put the space right for the next resident. The best part of my time in Nyon (apart from swimming in the lake everyday and getting time to read) was meeting other artists and exchanging ideas. We had a board where we could write down recommendations from books and films to upcoming exhibitions and other residencies. This information is invaluable and very hard to come across alone. I read The Passion According to G.H and watched Beau Travail and Zama on recommendation, all of which were amazing. 

The artists I met were so varied and interesting, I hope to host at least one at the art space I run in London. The focus on collaboration really helps open up artistic boundaries. I would recommend Trelex residencies to anyone.