An exhibition by Jenny Hall

Undegun – Regent Street – Wrexham

Wrexham’s creative space Undegun will be welcoming Hollow, by Machynlleth based Artist Jenny Hall, which will delve into new territory for the pop up arts centre, creating a space-within-a-space as a large architectural structure is given form by the artist. The exhibition also challenges the public to experiment with building their own structures from the blocks.

Taking a copper mine as a source of inspiration, this exhibition explores the creative destruction involved in the act of construction. The mine was represented as a large hollow sculpture at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre where loose cardboard boxes represented the ‘ore’ that had been extracted from inside. As the touring exhibition also explores displacement: of an idea, of a material, Hollow has been re-imagined for Undegun in a new form. Cardboard boxes are the perfect material for expressing a thing displaced. These connect together with magnets.

Jenny invited award winning Welsh architecture practice Rural Office for Architecture to create a design using her building block system for Undegun. Their exploded spherical form lends itself to the arts centre’s program of music and dance performance.

Hollow will also be re-imagined when it travels to the Muni centre in Pontypridd. Constructed on a large mirrored floor, it encourages visitors to consider the relationship between the spaces we create above and below the ground.

“Mines have faded in our minds as we no longer reach for the coal scuttle or travel by steam engine, but we continue to rapidly build a world on the surface of the same size if not the same shape as the subterranean world that we excavate.”

The public are invited to move, stack, connect and build with the loose boxes and the scale model to explore building structures and creating empty space.

Jenny is the director of architectural design practice craftedspace.co.uk

‘Hollow’ will be on display to the public from Saturday, 21^st May, and there will be a programme of events and performances during the run of the exhibition providing a chance to meet the artist and Architect Niall Maxwell of Rural office for Architecture to discuss how structures are created and how people identify with and use these spaces.

Opening Hours for Undegun Art Space are Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 4pm.

Enquiries: Please email contact@thisproject.co.uk / 01978 345220

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Her latest show ‘Beauty Marks’, held at Montys on Brick lane at the end of 2015 was her first independent London exhibit. Her latest experiments conjured up bodies from calligraphy like swipes of a fat, chisel tipped permanent marker. All artworks were drawn under her own steam—which is to say, drawn from her own liveliness, celebrating the movement of bodies through bold strokes of marker. Inspired by motion, music and the beauty in our contours. Her unique style dictating the jutting of limbs, jaws and hips as silhouettes, marks and lines, achieve character born of the artists intuition. These spirits enhanced by brilliant flashes of azure, and gold threading through the scene, demonstrating the energy of the human form.

For Focus Wales, Stedhead will be including her Beauty Marks Exhibition, as well as some brand new pieces.

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This September Undegun will be showcasing work from a large group of artists taking part in Wales’ biggest Open Studios art trail, Helfa Gelf 2015. Now in its 10th year, this free annual event is spread right across North Wales with studios taking part in Gwynedd, Conwy, Flintshire, Denbighshire and Wrexham. It presents a unique chance for visitors to peek behind the scenes, experience this normally hidden world and get to chat to the artists and crafts people about their creative process and their studio spaces. Helfa Gelf mentions:
“We think North Wales is an overlooked gem for the visual arts and crafts in Wales, with loads of artists and makers beavering away up mountain tracks and sea-side cul-de-sacs.”

Like THIS Project who run the gallery, Helfa Gelf aims to encourage engagement & collaboration and break down barriers between artists and the public. This is the third consecutive year the two organisations have collaborated on an exhibition at Undegun.
‘Open Doors’ brings together over 30 artists and begins with a public launch on Saturday the 5th September at 7pm. The Exhibition will be on display until the 26th September. During their time at Undegun the exhibiting artists will be using the art space to create new work live in front of the public, with opportunities for everyone to get involved in workshop activities and learn new skills.

During its time at Undegun the exhibition will feature a number of free workshops and talks, which are open to all abilities.
On the 25th September artist Graham Mitchell and Ros Hornbuckle will be demonstrating their skills of tapestry weaving and jewellery making out of wood at Undegun from 11 to 4pm. All are welcome to come down to the venue and discuss with the artists more about their disciplines and how they find the creative scene within the North of Wales
You will receive a warm welcome from the artists wherever they are, and will join the ever-growing number of art enthusiasts who enjoy this yearly event – and remember, it’s all free.

Helfa Gelf /Art Trail runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in September in Gwynedd, Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Wrexham. Studios are open from 11am-5pm daily.

For the ‘Open Doors’ exhibition Undegun is open to the public from 12 – 4 on Wednesdays and 11 – 4 on Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays.

If you have any interest in become a part of Helfa Gelf please feel free to visit http://www.helfagelf.co.uk/en/contact/ or any questions about Undegun please feel free to send an email to contact@thisproject.co.uk

The post Helfa Gelf: Open Doors/Drysau ar Agor appeared first on This Project.

Dates of Exhibition:
LAUNCH: Thursday, 30th July – 7:00PM TO 9PM
ENDS:Saturday, 29th August
The volunteer run gallery is open to the public weekly on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12pm until 4pm.

International Mystery Artists Team Up For Wrexham Exhibition
The exploits of Banksy and other worldwide street artists have thrust the concept of hidden identities, pseudonyms and secret exhibitions into the public domain, but this idea has been present in the art world for many years. For many artists keeping their identity concealed is a strong element of what they do, and allow the public to look at the work they produce without any preconceptions.

The A5 Collective is one example of this shadowy practice, with many critics claiming that the group may not even exist!

But Wrexham based THIS Project have teamed up with curator Robert Stephen to host a unique exhibition which will, for the first time ever, show examples of work from all seven of the artists in one show. The purpose of the exhibition is to throw the light into the darkest corners of the art world and to question the celebrity culture that goes hand-in-hand with being a famous artist.

The A5 group are a group of artists based in the United Kingdom and America. The artists are (in alphabetical order):
Deceased landscape artist Ben D Gedig (real name Robert Lloyd Jones), whose work was discovered and is now presented by his grandson Robert John Jones; New-York-based digital revolutionary Richard Head (real name!); International Street Artist ‘ONE’; Russian Print luminaries The Ozniak Brothers; Drago Zalaznik who looks at the art of identity; and they will be joined by artist and exhibition curator Robert Stephen himself.

Some members of the group wish to remain anonymous because they believe that the art they produce is more important than the artist. This is a reaction to our contemporary fascination with celebrity and the pursuit of fame and fortune—a world in which individuals are increasingly famous just for being famous.

A5 do not usually give interviews prior to their exhibitions, keeping quiet about precise details and often only utilising social media after the unveiling. Their manifesto talks about how over the past 20 years the increased use of computers has created a paradigm shift in the way art is perceived.

A5 state that;
“We are interested in unfamiliar ways of interacting with different audiences and sharing a conviction that constantly evolving mobile technologies and information dissemination systems necessitate a more connected and accessible art.”

Their manifesto, which appears in full at the bottom of this post, asserts that in this digital age, art needs to become truly immersive and interact more fully with a public outside of the typical gallery habitué—and especially those people who live far from the major cultural centres.

Undegun believe that bringing the A5 group to Wrexham will provide stimulating and exciting challenges for the local art scene, especially in terms of the unconventional way the artists have approached this exhibition.
Undegun has always been known for letting artists take a strong creative role in the curation of their own work with the support of the gallery’s team, but for them this will be taking the gallery experience to an entirely new level.
“Working with a group of artists like the A5 group has meant we’ve had to keep many of the details of the exhibition shrouded in secrecy. We have worked with Robert Stephen, who has acted as a middle-man between ourselves and some of the artists, and we’ve only been able to speak to them through secure channels, in case the press or the authorities are taking an interest in their activities. The challenge has proved worthwhile though, and this really will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the work in its current form. We’re very excited to have the opportunity and we hope people will come along to the launch to experience the conundrum of the A5 group for themselves!”

//// Manifesto:

We are a collective of artists, based in the UK and America. Currently we have six members and they are (in alphabetical order):

We provide minimal explanation of our work because there is no correct response to a work of art and the viewer must decide what the work means to them … without reference to a “higher” authority. The viewer must trust their own judgment and no art has an automatic right of privilege based solely upon the perceived reputation of its creator.

The post Rob Stephen presents.. appeared first on This Project.

The project has been established with the help of Glyndwr University and a small group of their former art students. Sean Finegan is a Glyndwr Graduate, graduating in 2014, and has worked with THIS Project at Undegun as a volunteer since graduation as well as exhibiting with us at Galeri 3B last year, as part of the North Wales School of Art and Design Degree Show. Here Sean presents a series of canvases exploring and paying homage to

Projects like this are seen as vital for retaining talent in the local area, and giving new artists an opportunity to gain experience of exhibiting and working in a professional arts environment.

Sean’s paintings are homages to painting itself – the processes and act of painting. Working autonomously, using varying strokes from light and fast to slow and heavy, these gestural actions along with pouring and dripping paint which make create work which is both vibrant and engaging.

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Organised by Change Wrexham For Our Future, Wrexfest is a two-day music and arts community event beginning on Friday 31st, at various locations across the town centre. Covering two days there will be a wealth of performances at Rewind, Royal Oak, Saith Seren including extra stalls, workshops & activity at Llwyn Isaf and Undegun, all supported by the Arts Council of Wales.

Things get underway this Saturday July 25th at Undegun. THIS Project, working with Mikey Jones (www.mikeyjonesart.com), present Re-imagine Wrexham 2.0.

Contributing to the festival landscape local artist Mikey Jones has created a large skyline of the town, ready for local artists and the public to come and paint, draw, collage and reflect on. Come down on the Saturday from 2PM to get involved and be creative! All welcome and the event is free.

Drum With Our Hands’ very own Andy Garside will be DJing during the event with help from a very special guest. (Nice job on the posters too! see below..)

After the launch on Saturday afternoon the event will continue to transform throughout the week, until 1st August, with contributions from a variety of local artists.

From 8pm on Thursday 30th July the performances begin at the Royal Oak, High Street, Wrexham with two nights of acoustic music curated by Cygnini music.

On Friday Undegun welcome back WE//ARE//ANIMAL after a short hiatus for a special show ahead of releasing their debut album this Summer. Support comes from Rich List, Pink Killer, Jack of the Suburbs, Blood Lips and Future Exits.

Continuing on Saturday Undegun will host Hidden Charms, Baby Brave, I Am Of The Universe, Bandito Rey and Cy Humphries while Pobl Y Bryn grace the stage at Saith Seren with support from the Mexican Walking Fish, The Jackobins, The Undivided and Memory Clinic.

For more information you can find the group at facebook.com/ChangeWrexhamForOurFuture

The post Wrexfest & Reimagine Wrecsam appeared first on This Project.

Artist David McBride has previously documented landscapes through his photography but has recently shifted his interest on to navigational structures such as road markings and paths. All these things link to the infinite possibilities of the journey we have through our lives. For the exhibition McBride has been working on a series that documents the nature of the road markings – manhole covers, traffic cones and so on.

McBride comments; “Since my initial explorations I have increasingly become fascinated with many aspects of the colour that I have sought on my travels. I have further expanded upon these musings to experiment with these findings and to treat and investigate colour through photography as a whole.”

The artwork on display at 1-2 Hope Street was originally exhibited at Galeri 3B on Priory Street. Formerly Laura Ashley this is another property THIS Project have been given the opportunity of using in order to bring back into use empty spaces, and therefore adding something unique, engaging and temporary into our high streets while also furthering the careers of artists by supporting them to try new things, develop new audiences and present new work.

The exhibition, ‘Light Drawing’ was an exhibition of contemporary lens media exploring different techniques and themes offering a wide perspective on photography as an art form and also included collections of photography work by Alan Whitfield and Andrew Sharp.

THIS Project remain active at Undegun on Regent Street which currently exhibits Sivulla/On The Edge, an exhibition of contemporary Finnish artwork as part of a cultural and artistic exchange between artists based in Finland and North Wales.

http://davidmcbride.tumblr.com/

www.thisproject.co.uk

https://www.facebook.com/thisproject

twitter: @thishq

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Background:
During March 2015 Oriel Wrecsam moved offsite, as plans for a new cultural hub in Wrexham unfold. As we begin this exciting new phase for the arts in Wrexham, Oriel Wrecsam will be developing projects which infiltrate and enhance daily life in the town centre.

The first of these projects is ART VEND – inspired and informed by Woolgather’s Art Vend which has run successfully in Leeds city centre since April 2013: theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/radar/woolgather-art-vend-launch/
www.woolgatherart.com

Following the success of Round One, Oriel Wrecsam is now seeking proposals from artists working in any media, to create artist multiples which will be distributed from vending machines in Wrexham town centre, for £1 each, for Round 2 of this exciting project.

We have added several more Art Vend machines to our ‘fleet’, and will be rolling out this project further into different venues throughout Wrexham.
The challenge – 50 works for £50

We will again be commissioning a number of artists to create 50 artist multiples for an inclusive fee of £50, and each work must be small enough to fit inside a plastic capsule. These parameters of cost and scale mean that innovative thinking will be required!

All participating artists will be joining Oriel Wrecsam in our mission to make contemporary art accessible to all and it is up to each individual artist to design a proposal which feels comfortable in terms of material costs and predicted making time.

To apply for one of the commissions, please send the following to oriel.learning@wrexham.gov.uk

A brief written description of what you are proposing to create for Oriel Wrecsam’s Art Vend
A brief description of why you want to take part in this project (max 200 words)
Up to 6 images of examples of previous work
Links to your website or any other online presence
The deadline for proposals is 9am on Monday 1/6/15

Please note: The artwork must be designed to fit into 85 x 85 mm circular(ish) capsules.

///

GALWAD AGORED – Comisiynau Artistiaid
am
Oriel Wrecsam
ART VEND Rownd 2

Yn ystod Mawrth 2015 mae Oriel Wrecsam wedi symud oddi ar y safle, wrth i gynlluniau ar gyfer canolfan ddiwylliannol newydd yn Wrecsam ddatblygu. Wrth i ni ddechrau’r cyfnod newydd cyffrous hwn ar gyfer y celfyddydau yn Wrecsam, bydd Oriel Wrecsam yn datblygu prosiectau sy’n ymdreiddio i fywyd bob dydd yng nghanol y dref, ac yn ei wella.

Y cyntaf o’r prosiectau hyn yw ART VEND – wedi’i ysbrydoli a’i lywio gan Art Vend Woolgather sydd wedi rhedeg yn llwyddiannus yng nghanol dinas Leeds ers mis Ebrill 2013:
theculturevulture.co.uk/blog/radar/woolgather-art-vend-launch/
www.woolgatherart.com

Yn dilyn llwyddiant Rownd Un, mae Oriel Wrecsam nawr yn chwilio am gynigion gan artistiaid sy’n gweithio mewn unrhyw gyfrwng, er mwyn creu copïau o’u gwaith a fydd yn cael eu dosbarthu o beiriannau gwerthu yng nghanol tref Wrecsam, am £1 yr un ar gyfer Rownd 2 o’r prosiect cyffrous hwn.

Rydym bellach wedi caffael sawl peiriant Art Vend ychwanegol a byddwn yn cyflwyno’r prosiect hwn ymhellach mewn lleoliadau gwahanol ledled Wrecsam.

Yr her – 50 darn o waith am £50 Byddwn yn comisiynu nifer o artistiaid i greu 50 copi o’u gwaith am ffi gynhwysol o £50, a rhaid i bob gwaith fod yn ddigon bach i fynd i mewn i gapsiwl plastig. Mae’r cyfyngiadau hyn o ran cost a graddfa yn golygu y bydd angen meddwl yn arloesol!

Bydd yr holl artistiaid sy’n cymryd rhan yn ymuno ag Oriel Wrecsam yn ein hymgyrchi wneud celf gyfoes yn hygyrch i bawb, a lle bob artist unigol yw dylunio cynnig sy’n teimlo’n gyfforddus o ran costau deunyddiau a’r amser a gymerir i’w gwneud.

I wneud cais am un o’r comisiynau, anfonwch y canlynol i oriel.learning@wrexham.gov.uk

Disgrifiad ysgrifenedig byr o’r hyn rydych yn ei gynnig i’w greu ar gyfer Art Vend Oriel Wrecsam
Disgrifiad byr pam rydych am gymryd rhan yn y prosiect hwn (uchafswm 200 o eiriau)
Hyd at 6 delwedd o enghreifftiau o waith blaenorol.
Dolenni cyswllt i’ch gwefan ac unrhyw bresenoldeb arall ar-lein
Y dyddiad cau ar gyfer cynigion yw 9am dydd Llun 1/6/15.

os gwelwch yn dda nodi: Mae’n rhaid i’r artowrk gael eu cynllunio i ffitio i mewn i 85 x 85 mm capsiwlau cylchlythyr.

The post Oriel Wrecsam – Art Vend Open Call appeared first on This Project.

Arts Alive Wales are seeking an exceptional individual to join thier small, dynamic staff team as Community Projects Manager, with responsibility for the development, planning, delivery and marketing of Caban, our new arts and health project supporting children and young people. The successful candidate will combine high artistic ambitions with a passionate commitment to working with disadvantaged groups, individuals and communities.

21 hours per week – or 0.6
Initial fixed term contract of 6 months
Salary £19,742 to £22,212 (NJC Scale 4.21 to 5.25) pro-rata 0.6

Visit the website to download information and an application pack: http://artsalivewales.org.uk

For more information or to discuss the post contact justine@artsalivewales.org.uk.

Deadline for applications: Monday 27 April 2015 at 5pm

Applicants must be available for interview on Wednesday 6th May 2015, which will take place at the Arts Alive Wales studio in Crickhowell, Powys

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The main exhibition launch at Oriel Sycharth Gallery will be on 23 April, 6-8pm, and will feature a live, multi-actor performance directed by Helen Knowles. A post-event reception with performances will follow at Undegun from 8pm onwards. As part of Focus Wales’s regular programme, the post-event is ticketed, but visitors to the opening at Oriel Sycharth will receive free passes to a special VIP zone.

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