Richard Forster
Sophie Macpherson
Jonathan Owen
Sara MacKillop
Andy Wake
Haroon Mirza
Milo Brennan
Rosalind Nashashibi
Lucy Skaer
Primrose Coke
"Working things out": the exhibition brings together 7 British artists working in the field of contemporary sculpture. They are linked by a common commitment to reworking the everyday. "Flash in the Metropolitan": Rosalind Nashashibi and Lucy Skaer filmed under the cover of darkness, documenting the Near Eastern, African and Oceanic collections of the New York Metropolitan Museum. In the Project Space Primrose Coke with pencil drawings, sculptural objects and video.
Spike Island presents three new exhibitions.
WORKING THINGS OUT
New work by Richard Forster, Sophie Macpherson, Jonathan Owen, Sara MacKillop, Andy Wake, Haroon Mirza, Milo Brennan.
Gallery 1
Flash in the Metropolitan
Continuous screening of 16mm film by Rosalind Nashashibi & Lucy Skaer.
Gallery 2
Solo Show
New work by Falmouth graduate Primrose Coke.
Project Space
Gallery 1 & 2
14 July - 16 September
Project Space
14 July - 05 August
Gallery One: WORKING THINGS OUT is the first group show to take place at Spike Island since the re-launch of the galleries in February 2007. The exhibition brings together seven British artists working in the field of contemporary sculpture. They are not linked by a particular style but rather by their attitude: a common commitment to reworking the everyday. They produce objects that can be read as prototypes; prototypes that suggest ways of imaging the world otherwise rather than blueprints for living. WORKING THINGS OUT is therefore not a show about artists assuming the role of designers or vice versa, but rather the productive space in between these categories. All of the artists will present new works or a series of works that has yet to be shown in its entirety; some will also respond directly to the imposing architecture of the gallery, a newly created structure within a former tea packing factory, a space within a space.
Gallery Two: Flash In The Metropolitan was originally commissioned by Spike Island as one of a series of new works for the British Art Show 6 in Bristol. This is a second collaboration for Rosalind Nashashibi and Lucy Skaer. The artists filmed under the cover of darkness, documenting the Near Eastern, African and Oceanic collections of the legendary New York Metropolitan Museum. The flashing strobe light used in the filming allows the viewer to see the objects as if in animation. Disorientation tips the viewer from the logic dictated by the museum framework to one dictated by the artifacts, enabling a new and imagined response. The film will be shown in Bristol for the first time on a 16mm projector and will be screened continuously in Gallery 2 across summer.
Project Space: The first solo show in Bristol by Falmouth graduate Primrose Coke has been developed through a 6 week residency at Spike Island. Her practice is concerned with the setting up of archaic rituals that disrupt contemporary reality and is realised through exquisite pencil drawings, sculptural objects which emerge from the rural landscape and solitary performances for video. Her residency is part of Spike Island's on-going commitment to supporting emerging artists in the South West.
Spike Island would like to thank: - Arts Council - Elephant Trust - BVAC - The Henry Moore Foundation - Doggerfisher.
Events: A contextual programme of talks and events will run alongside these exhibitions. See http://www.spikeisland.org.uk for more details.
A limited edition Richard Forster print, produced by Spike Print Studios in conjunction with WORKING THINGS OUT, will be available at a special Preview price at the Opening.
Artists in Residence Summer - Autumn 2006
Can Altay -- International Artist's Fellowship in partnership with Platform Garanti, Istanbul in residence July - October.
Andre Sousa -- Gulbenkian Research Residency, in residence August - November.
For further information please contact: Lori Taylor
T. +44 (0) 117 929 2266 E. lori.taylor@spikeisland.org.uk
2007 - Spike Island's launch year, £2.25m investment completed with Caruso St John
Private View, Friday 13 July, 6.00 - 8.00pm
Spike Island
133 Cumberland Road Bristol
Galleries open to the public: Tuesday - Sunday 12-6pm