Communicating stories through art has always helped us better connect with our understanding of the world and each other. From early cave painting till now, abstract patterns have carried stories of faith and beliefs. AKA Stanly says "For this exhibition, I wanted to produce paintings that connected to the Japanese philosophy of wabi sabi. Often considered to be untranslatable, mono no aware refers to the bittersweet realization of the ephemeral nature of all things. It is the awareness that everything in existence is temporary. The fleetingness of youth, the fading of romance, and the changing of seasons are not to be mourned, but cherished and appreciated in their impermanence, for that is where their beauty comes from. The term comes from the Heian period and is central to Japanese cultural tradition. The aesthetic qualities of these paintings reflect the Japanese idea of wabi sabi. The belief imperfection and understanding of emptiness can be seen in flawed beauty. Wabi and sabi both suggest sentiments of desolation and solitude. In the Mahayana Buddhist view of the universe, these may be viewed as positive characteristics, representing liberation from a material world and transcendence to a simpler life. In one sense wabi-sabi is a training whereby the student of wabi-sabi learns to find the most basic, natural objects interesting, fascinating, and beautiful. Wabi-sabi can change our perception of the world to the extent that a chip or crack in a vase makes it more interesting and gives the object greater meditative value. Currently we are turning toward culture to understand emotions in many ways. Art has always been a way of improving wellbeing, allowing us to feel a part of something bigger. Art, in all forms, is a great tool for expression. Transporting us to a place where both artist and viewer become involved in a personal interaction."
 
AKA Stanly, real name Mark Stanford, is a Llangwm based, Pembrokeshire born artist. After studying Documentary Photography at university, he turned his focus back towards painting. All the changes we have been through in the last couple of years made him realise that he wanted to grow more as an artist, becoming more connected with the landscape that he loves. Mark goes by the alias ‘A.K.A. Stanly’ to recognise the change in himself whilst becoming an artist. This practice was common for artists and poets in China and Japan, usually marking extreme changes in their lives. Mark is heavily influenced by Asian art and wanted to experience this metamorphosis for himself.