Hand In Glove PLATFORM - Josephine Sowden

As a Lotus Flower is Born in Water

Motorcade/FlashParade, Bristol

Opening Friday 8 March 2013, 6pm til late

Exhibition continues: Sat 9 & Sun 10 March 2013, 12 – 5pm **amended dates**

Josephine Sowden uses lens-based media to explore the human condition in relation to modern day consciousness. Commissioned by Hand in Glove, Sowden’s new work As a Lotus Flower is Born in Water is an immersive two-channel video installation.

Inherently performative, the work features the artist amidst the natural landscape, externalising notions of ‘nature’, ‘self’ and ‘ego’. The oppositional personas that Sowden assumes reduce experience to a series of words, distorted memories of the past and predictions of an uncertain future. These confrontational actions exaggerate and bring in to sharp focus a modern day obsession with inner streams of thought; ultimately seeking to question a separation from nature and more primal instincts and desires.

A piece of critical writing by artist Trevor H Smith, recipient of Hand in Glove’s PLATFORM Professional Development, will accompany the exhibition.

Sowden graduated from BA Photographic Art at University of Wales, Newport in 2012 and has since been selected for the Catlin Guide, Videoholica International Video Art Festival in Bulgaria and the 2012 Aesthetica Art Prize. Her degree show piece Lilies of the Field was selected by Hand in Glove for PLATFORM 2012; a group exhibition showcasing work by promising arts graduates from Bristol, Bath and Newport. Sowden was then awarded the PLATFORM Commission, to create new work with the support of Hand in Glove for her first solo exhibition.

 Lilies of the Field will be screened on the opening night only.

The PLATFORM Commission is part of a twelve month series of projects funded by Arts Council England. University of Wales, Newport are also supporting As a Lotus Flower is Born in Water. With thanks to Motorcade/FlashParade, Louisa Fairclough and Maia Conran.

Forthcoming event: PLATFORM

Friday 15 March 11am - 6pm
229 High Street, Swansea, SA1 1NY 

A one-off event for postgraduate students undertaking academic and practice-based research in creative and humanities disciplines. Who are you and how do you work? That's what we want to know.

Platform will provide a space for postgraduates to share and discuss ideas and practice at different stages of development and to learn about the work of others. It's an opportunity to discuss your practice in a relaxed informal atmosphere, meet other research students in the South Wales area and to explore new opportunities for collaboration.

Those who wish to attend and contribute to the event can get involved in different ways. Presentations don't have to be confined to traditional academic or slide-show formats and can be given as performances, film screenings, discussions, practical workshops or demonstrations, walks, pecha-kucha...  Platform is a chance to develop your voice as a creative academic and will be structured in response to the work that is presented. The event will also include facilitated practical sessions focusing on cross-discipline collaboration.

FREE BUT BOOKING ESSENTIAL. To register please email stephen-donnelly@hotmail.co.uk
http://volcanotheatre.co.uk/735/productions/birthday-party-events.html

February FORUM | Constellational Practice

Thursday 28 February 2013 / 6.30pm / Free / Drop-in

Goat Major Projects c/o Printhaus, 70A Llandaff Road, Canton, Cardiff, Wales, CF10 9NL

The theme of constellational practice will consider the many roles artists are required to adopt in order to pursue their own creative practice, in many instances this sees the artist as curator, which is perhaps a role that has evolved from creative and economic necessity. Where do these dual roles eventually become a ‘practice’ in themselves? And in this instance, what does it mean to ‘practice’?

 

Artwork courtesy of Richard Higlett

The conversation will be perfectly situated in relation to Goat Major Projects own programme and aspirations, relating to a number of artist-led spaces and new exhibition project spaces that have an evolving and increasing relationship to institutions. Conversely we might ask, would an artist defining them self as a curator mean a curator can define themselves as an artist so easily, if it is at all easy?

FORUM is an informal, monthly event for early career artists, students and graduates, organised by WARP & Ffotogallery. It is a platform for practitioners from various disciplines to exchange ideas, experience and opinions on visual culture in an informal setting.

If you have any ideas or would like to talk about your practice in a future event email Emma Daman: emma@ffotogallery.org with your suggestions

MFA graduates of Bath School of Art and Design present an exhibition of mixed media works.

This Thursday- Web Site Specific!

6.30pm at Chapter. Look for the FORUM sign!

For the first FORUM of 2013 we'll be talking and thinking about artists' websites. We'll be delving into why artists build websites, what their purpose is and how they can work. What's the relationship between online presence and general practice, and what are the implications of artists building virtual spaces?

Nic Finch of Cardiff design studio Burning Red will be talking about some of the tools that are available for making your own website and artist Sara Sylvester will be talking about developing an online identity as a key part of her work with fictional artists. Photographer James Hudson will be talking about the function of a website, how to approach presenting your work to a varied audience and the differences in what commercial clients and curators want to see.

Tonight! B I T Presents: The Opening

Back in June at the Art Schools FORUM, Bob Gelsthorpe spoke of how he was beginning to research setting up a contemporary art space and studios with emphasis on supporting recent graduates and tonight, B I T Studios is officially opening!

B I T say: 'Following a lack of studio space for recent graduates, B I T Studios is somewhere with shared space for growth, stimulus and mutual support in the difficult transition from graduate to professional.'

Judging from tonight's line up, which will include art, music and artist stalls, we look forward to the upcoming programme of events!

For more information about the opening please see the event page.

January FORUM - Web Site Specific

The next FORUM will be on Thursday 31st January, Ffotogallery at Chapter, meeting 6.30pm in Chapter foyer.

This month we'll be talking and thinking about artists' websites.

We'll be delving into why artists build websites, what their purpose is and how they can work. What's the relationship between online presence and general practice, and what are the implications of artists building virtual spaces?

If you'd like to share your work and if think your work is relevant to this discussion please contact emma@ffotogallery.org.