Rebecca Chesney
David Batchelor
Victor Burgin
Adam Chodzko
Keith Coventry
Tony Cragg
Martin Creed
Peter Doig
Gilbert & George
Richard Long
Rebecca Warren
Catherine Yass
Bettina von Zwehl
The Gathering delves into the archives of the Arts Council Collection. The exhibition looks at how a number of key works came to enter the Collection over the past 36 years; who was involved and why these particular pieces were acquired. Featuring 31 works by 21 artists and with historical text and interviews, it traces seminal moments in the Collection's history and captures the voices of the artists and selectors involved in the acquisition process.
The Gathering, a new exhibition at Longside Gallery, delves into the archives of the Arts Council Collection. The exhibition looks at how a number of key works came to enter the Collection over the past 36 years; who was involved and why these particular pieces were acquired.
The Gathering is the first exhibition to come out of the new Select.ac scheme launched by the Arts Council Collection in 2008. This new initiative is a curatorial competition for post-graduate students, which invites them to create an exhibition drawn from the Collection. From its outset the intention of the Collection was to support artists at the beginning of their careers, in the same vein, Select.ac aims to support and nurture a new generation of curators. The selected exhibition, The Gathering, has been curated by Robert Dingle, who graduated this summer from the Masters Fine Arts (MFA) in Curating at Goldsmiths, University of London.
Featuring 31 works by 21 artists and with historical text and interviews, it traces seminal moments in the Collection's history and captures the voices of the artists and selectors involved in the acquisition process. Artists represented include David Batchelor, Victor Burgin, Adam Chodzko, Keith Coventry, Tony Cragg, Martin Creed, Peter Doig, Gilbert & George, Richard Long, Rebecca Warren, Catherine Yass and Bettina von Zwehl.
A mini-site featuring extensive interviews and historical information about the collection, as well as images and video, will be available from 4 March, via the main collection website at http://www.artscouncilcollection.org.uk
Caroline Douglas, Head of the Arts Council Collection said:
"This exhibition reflects the work of the many individuals who have given their time and energy over four decades, and whose contributions define the character of the Collection, as well as providing a reflection of the history of British art itself."
Andrew Renton, Director of Curating at Goldsmiths, University of London said:
"The Curating MFA is a practical programme set within the context of the Department of Art. Students make things, rather than merely talk about them. In the curators' case it is exhibitions. This approach to learning does not set out orthodoxy of the history of curating, but enables ways in which rigorous thinking around artworks may be conducted in an original manner. The Select.ac competition and The Gathering, Robert Dingle's response to it, offer a brilliant example of how this type of research can work. The opportunity to enter so freely into the Arts Council Collection is a rare privilege."
March 6: Rebecca Chesney
Artist Rebecca Chesney begins a year long residency at YSP, researching the bees and plants of the Bretton Estate to develop new work. With the help of experts and visitors, Chesney’s residency also draws attention to the plight of bees. Bees are under great threat and their disappearance would have a catastrophic effect on nature and humans. The artist’s previous projects, which look at changing environments and human activity, have resulted in exhibitions of drawings, photographs, installations and films.The YSP Centre display includes further information, ways to become involved in the project and a virtual hive.
Peter Randall-Page at Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Underground Gallery, Garden Gallery + open air until 11 April 2010
This extensive exhibition brings together new and recent sculpture and works on paper by one of Britain’s foremost artists. Peter Randall-Page has used the large spaces of the Underground Gallery as a catalyst and platform for an ambitious range of work which has extended his practice and given expression to ideas developed over many years. New pieces include a striking, innovative series of wall works in fired clay based on geometry and symmetry, and two monumental Kilkenny limestone carvings.
All aspects of Randall-Page’s practice are represented in this exhibition, including his working processes through the display of maquettes and models in the Project Space. The Garden Gallery features small-scale objects and works on paper, with the lawns around the Underground Gallery framing a wonderful range of large-scale sculptures.
Image: David Noonan, Untitled, 2007
Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London © the artist
Acquired with funds from the McLaren Art Foundation, in association with Outset
For further press enquiries:
Anna Neville t. 01924 832633 anna.neville@ysp.co.uk
Eleanor Bryson t. 01924 832642 eleanor.bryson@ysp.co.uk
Opening 4 March 2010
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Longside Gallery, West Bretton, Wakefield WF4 4LG