The Gallery of Wonder - on tour

This afternoon I was part of the crew helping Irene Brown to destall The Gallery of Wonder which had been erected in the grounds of Newcastle University prior to it going on tour across Northumbria.

May, 2015 Group Show

Touring Show

The Gallery Of Wonder will travel across Northumbria, appearing at Northumberland county and border shepherd shows in a distinctive customised dark grey wagon, covered in symbols of curiosity and mysticism presenting tantalising clues to its unique contents.

TOUR DATES 2015

Northumberland County Show Monday May 25th

Woodhorn Miners Picnic Saturday June 13th

Powburn Show
 Saturday August 1st


Spittal Seaside Festival Saturday August 8th

Falstone Border Shepherd Show Saturday August 22nd

Alwinton Border Shepherd Show Saturday October 10th

Newcastle City Campus Saturday October 17th (tbc)

At each venue the crew will erect the gallery, a big black circular tent decorated with countless piercing eyes, some set with small lenses providing a distorted peep into the shadowy interior. Outside, a barker (performance artist Dennis Jobling) entices the public to purchase a ‘magic ticket’ to gain entrance to the mysterious exhibit.

Within is an exhibition of new works of art created by seven nationally and internationally known artists who have responded to the idea of wonder, captivating an audience and holding them spellbound by what they see.

How exactly do they do this? It must be seen to be believed. What we can say is that fifteen-foot snakes, enchanted flowers and vindictive fairies are part of this extraordinary spectacle.

The tented gallery makes specific reference to the history of travelling booths and side shows at fairs, when items of curiosity such as waxworks of famous people, coronation tableaux and strange misshapen creatures were presented, juxtaposing the exotic and the amazing, the scientific and the fantastic and firing the imaginations of visitors.

The Gallery Of Wonder On Tour has been developed by Arts&Heritage and is project led and designed by Irene Brown.

This is an exceptional project that sees a national arts and heritage agency taking artists’ work to a very different place - muddy fields and isolated rural village fairs.



Albert Einstein said,

“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand in rapt awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed”.

Can you pause to wonder?

The Gallery Of Wonder On Tour has been funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle University’s Institute for Creative Arts Practice, Berwick Visual Arts and Northumberland County Council.

http://irenebrown.co.uk

Soaking in the atmosphere of the Lit and Phil

I will be taking part in a 3-person exhibition at the Literature and Philosophical Society (Lit and Phil) in March, and I am eager to get a sense of the place, how it is used and who uses it. I spent the afternoon soaking up the atmosphere and talking to people in the Lit and Phil.

On arrival I headed straight to the oval table towards the back of the main library room. The table is positioned in close proximity to a coffee machine, biscuit tin and 'the hatch', one of the features that distinguishes this building from other libraries. The hatch is run by volunteers who take it in turns to serve tea and coffee and biscuits. When the hatch is not manned, there is a tea and coffee machine and a biscuit tin that people can help themselves to.

As I sat at the table eating my packed lunch (yes, eating in the library is permitted!), I soon realised that there was no way that I could concentrate on reading the book that I had picked up as there were interesting conversations taking place around me.

Over the next few hours, a steady stream of people, ranging from a 3-year old to a 93-year old came and sat at the table. When asked what his favourite thing about the Lit and Phil is, Peter, the 3 year old boy, answered 'biscuits!' The importance of biscuits became clear as every person who came to sit at the table brought with them a packet of biscuits of some shape or form, and shared these. I was fortunate enough to meet Paul, the current Chair of the board of governors, who gave me a potted history of the Lit and Phil, from its conception in 1793 through the centuries to today.

Throughout our conversation other members sat at the table would interject and give their own anecdotes and offer other information to add to my understanding of what is obviously an important society to many people. There are not many places of this kind where one is given such a genuine and personal welcome, be offered food, partake in interesting conversation and be given a tour of the building by one of the members. This place is unique.

Over the past 15 years the society has experienced severe financial difficulties and at one point its existence was on tenterhooks. It is apparent that its survival relies on the passion and determination of the members and this drive ensures that the society retains its core functions - as a 'conversation club' and library.

The two functions exist simultaneously, although not always without tensions. In the most recent comments books, an abundance of glowingly positive remarks are punctuated by expressions of frustrations at the lack of silence in the library. Mike, (a current member) spoke about he regards the society as a social space, somewhere to talk about issues and ideas. In the 25 years that he has been a member, he has only borrowed 3 books. For him, the library aspect is not what attracts him, but the homely and comfortable atmosphere.

The society organises an impressive events programme, including musical events, lectures and art events. For example, in 2013 Dawn Felicia Knox, along with Irene Brown, Sally Madge, Iris Priest, Isabel Lima, Stephen Livingstone, Katy Cole and Benjamin Lawson were involved in Returning to the Philosophers’ Table, an integrated arts project that featured art exhibitions at the Lit & Phil and the Gallery of Wonder: Great North Museum along with cross-disciplinary collaborations and events.

For more information about Returning to the Philosophers’ Table, visit http://philosopherstable.org

I asked some of the members for their thoughts on some of the previous art exhibitions and installations that have taken place in the Lit and Phil. Positive comments were made in relation to Returning to the Philosophers’ Table. I get the impression the members I met were pretty open and are keen to attract new people. Tony mentioned that he would like to see a tandoori kitchen installed downstairs!

As much as I am excited about the space, I am also a little daunted by the challenge ahead. I feel, rightly or wrongly, a sense of responsibility to the members who regard the place as home. The context is already so loaded and full, and the atmosphere is very unique, and I want to use this to its full potential. How I will do this is unknown...

Watch this space!

New studio

So, yesterday was my first day on the 2-year Master of Fine Art course at Newcastle University. It was an intense day, with lots to take it. I met the other people on my course - there are 6 of us in the 1st year, and there are 8 students in the 2nd year. 

We met the current MFA course leader, Irene Brown, and Nadia Hebson who will be acting as the MFA course leader while Irene is on sabbatical for 9 months from September. Both gave us a very friendly welcome, and then we were allocated our studio space.

This is my new home!

In the afternoon we had a thorough tour of the department and facilities and then went through the course modules, timetables and handouts etc. Lots to take in!