This Project » focus wales

STEDHEAD

mike — Mon, 09 May 2016 12:40:58 +0000

On graduating with a BA in Illustration from Glyndwr University, Wales, Stedhead returned home to the Isle of Man to develop her artistic practice. In September 2014, following a series of collaborations, Stedhead moved to London to further develop her career. Exhibiting at the ICA with DJ and artist Goldie and alongside Jamie Reid and Mau Mau at Eddie Locks The Lock Up exhibition, Stedhead soon found herself engaging with an East End all-female art collective; together with Suzko, Candy Lo and Motor she has scaled and painted large artworks for various events both in and out London. From group shows at Juno in Shoreditch to Notting Hill’s Portobello Film Festival, the D&AD awards at the Truman Brewery, a skatepark in Luxembourg, Street Fest and UpFest in Bristol, and exhibiting with an all Manx (IoM) collective called Dark Seas Wild Mountain on the Isle of Man, Stedhead has been live and kicking with these collectives.

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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COLLABORATE!

mike — Wed, 01 Apr 2015 12:03:07 +0000

The Art World Comes To Wrexham

A group of major International artists will be making their way to Wrexham as part of the diverse and explosive “Collaborate!” exhibition, and this will be the first time much of the work has been shown outside of major international galleries, like New York’s Museum of Modern Art or The Tate.

“Collaborate” is the brainchild of artists Ivan Liotchev and Nicholas John Jones. They will be working with Glyndwr’s Oriel Sycharth Gallery and Wrexham’s innovative arts organisation THIS Project, who opened the former JJB store at 11 Regent Street, as Undegun Artspace in July 2013. The ground-breaking exhibition has been put together to showcase the talents of major international artists at venues across Wrexham, while demonstrating how groups of artists and institutions can work together to produce incredible results.

The exhibition is being previewed, on Wednesday, 22nd April, as part of the FOCUS Wales Music Festival, which itself brings acts from all over the world, and is just one other example of how Wrexham is increasingly being recognised as a destination for international talent.

The contemporary exhibition will feature artworks and performances that use the full spectrum of the tools available in the world today – from the paints and canvasses traditionally associated with artists, all the way through to Skype. Some of the work will be controversial, but all of it will be the best examples from highly respected art world figures.

Dave Gray of THIS Project, “A lot of institutional local galleries are nervous about showing artwork of this nature, because often it can be challenging and deals with uncomfortable issues. Since opening Undegun in 2013 though, we’ve found Wrexham people have a huge appetite for art, and enjoy the opportunity to see exciting new work in their own town rather than having to visit London or other major cities around the world to enjoy it. “Collaborate!” has been a fantastic opportunity to ensure we can get some of the best contemporary work from across the globe right here in our own town.”

Events to note:
Preview @ FOCUS Wales, Galeri 3B from 6pm, Wednesday 22nd April 2015 featuring London based Biters, and Ann Liv Young (broadcast live from New York City)

Launch Event @ Oriel Sycharth, 6pm to 8pm, Thursday 23rd April 2015

Artists exhibited:
Jeremy Bailey with Kristin Schaffer, Biters, Cornford & Cross, Judy Chicago, Phoebe Davis, Bernard Frize, Jesse Greenberg, Jeremy Hutchison, Helen Knowles, Ivan Liotchev, London Brain Project, Lorna Mills, Dylan Miner, Sarah Pettitt & Robert Rivers, Jonathan Powell & nu-Sangha, Kezia Pritchard & Kristofer Henriksson, Nina Rodin & Rebecca Molloy, Tim Rollins and K.O.S., Nastja Ronnko, Jesse Stead & Raphael Lyon, Ryan Trecartin, Weast, Ann Liv Young.

COLLABORATE! is a survey of recent collaborative art practice. Involving 23 international artists / collaborative teams, whose work spans across media ranging from painting to Skype, the exhibition urges us to consider the wide array of forms, approaches, and results of collaboration.

The central exhibition at Oriel Sycharth Gallery is presented as part of a wider programme of exhibitions, screenings and performances, in partnership with THIS Project and Focus Wales. Additional venues include THIS Project’s Undegun and Galeri 3B, and select screenings will be dispersed throughout Focus Wales events.

In exploring the nature of collaboration, COLLABORATE! presents a broad variety of practices including artists who only work collaboratively, occasional collaborators, and artists who direct temporary participants or orchestrate situations. Exhibitors range in nationality and career-stage and practices presented vary from early feminism and 80s painting revival, to jazz, indigenous and post-internet art.

Why do artists choose to co-create? On first thought, the merits of co-operation seem obvious and often denote harmony. We see artists like Phoebe Davis working with members of a care home as an act of empowerment. Cornford & Cross have an established practice based on mutual trust and co-operation. But are these, and other collaborative acts always symbiotic? Ryan Trecartin confronts us with post-digital discord, Jeremy Hutchison orders foreign factory workers to manufacture deliberately defective products, Ann Liv Young both compliments and insults us, Ivan Liotchev enlists hundreds of random participants in the often chaotic creation of his giant canvases, Tim Rollins and Judy Chicago urge sidelined youths and needle-workers, respectively, to raise their ambitions to High-art prominence.

Are collaborative strategies mutually beneficial to artist and collaborator, or are there underlying power structures at play that verge on exploitation? Can exploitation ever be beneficial and is it even collaboration? Where does ownership lie, when often the resulting works are only credited to a single artist? What are the boundaries between collaboration, participation, orchestration and instigation? Can collaboration break these boundaries and de-centralise authority? Is it a push towards more equality and empowerment or do familiar power-structures remain?

The points of conflict in this exhibition, both between the collaborators themselves and ideological questions raised, hopefully serve as means to a positive end. The tension built through collaboration may or may not resolve, but it always aims to stretch our spiritual sphere.

The social strive of the exhibition stems from the networked nature of collaboration itself, displaying how snippets of individual ideas, behaviours, relationships, thoughts, patterns and visions can inform a cohesive reality. Reflecting our hyper-connected society, the exhibition, and extended partnership that supports it, can be seen as a sketch for a more united and harmonious future.

Most artists in this exhibition have shown internationally, but never in Wales before. COLLABORATE! brings for the first time to Wales the groundbreaking participatory works of Tim Rollins and K.O.S. as well as Judy Chicago’s seminal Birth Project. Other artists showing in Wales for the first time include performance artist Ann Liv Young, Métis artist Dylan Miner, and Japanese duo WEAST.

A special feature of the exhibition will be the first ever presentation in Wales of Ryan Trecartin’s ambitious 3-channel movie Comma Boat. A unique vision of dictatorship, yet emblematic of Trecartin’s hyper-collaborative style, the large-scale installation will be presented at Undegun in Wrexham city centre.

COLLABORATE! will host a pre-launch event as part of Focus Wales on 22 April, 6-8pm at Galeri 3B, which will include live performances by London-based duo Biters and New York City-based Ann Liv Young.

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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Goliath Guitar Tutorials.com Filming at Galeri 3B

Kirsty — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 13:35:16 +0000

Yesterday (12/02/2015) we had youtube guitar tutorial expert Gareth Evans filming his latest video “Love Me Like You Do” a finger-tapping guitar interpretation of the Ellie Goulding song.

Gareth is old friends with Focus Wales Director Neal Thompson, with Neal giving Gareth his very first guitar lessons back when they were at school together. Thanks Gareth for filming with us at 3B, you are welcome back any time.

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Strike A Chord

mike — Tue, 13 May 2014 15:07:07 +0000

To coincide with the stunning Focus Wales festival this year we, with Spectrum Promotions and aided with the help of many people involved with the music scene over the years, devised a retrospective exhibition relating to the musical heritage of Wrexham. We are currently displaying a number of posters documenting 25 years of music in Wrexham Music.

We now plan to extend and expand the exhibition beginning on May 16th with films, guest speakers and live performances from –

TERMINAL

LOVERS OPEN FIRE

THIS WOODEN IDEAL

Starts at 7pm, please pay a donation to enter.

If you have anything you would like to contribute to the show (old tickets stubs or t-shirts, old vinyl or posters, video or photography, etc etc) please bring it to Undegun. Items can be returned if you wish.

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Meet the Music Industry

mike — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:22:09 +0000

Meet the Music Industry: Making the most of FOCUS Wales… and other industry conference events

Free Panel / Q&A session

FOCUS Wales and other industry showcase festivals across the UK (and internationally) exist to put music industry representatives in front of incredible performers; but also to offer an opportunity for these musicians, businesses and key industry people to network.

It’s your chance to meet face to face with booking agents, labels, promoters and more, all in one place…

Ahead of FOCUS Wales 2014, this informal panel session and Q&A presented with Welsh Music Foundation will provide essential, practical advice on how you can make the most of attending (and playing) such events. Find out what opportunities you could be seeking out and how to best do so. We’ll also be asking what do these events look for when selecting bands to play?

Thursday March 27th 2014

6.30pm – 8.30pm

FREE

3B, Priory Street / Wrexham / LL11 1SU

If you’ve been selected to play a festival or not,

If you’ve got a FOCUS Wales wristband or maybe just considering attending,

Join us for a free drink at the bar following this session too.

Book your place here: http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/meet-the-music-industry-tickets-10656280221

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John Cooper Clarke and many more announced for FOCUS Wales 2014 festival

mike — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:30:34 +0000

FOCUS Wales, now in its fourth year, presents an expanded music, comedy, and interactive programme for 2014.
The national showcase for music from Wales will also offer a two day programme of keynotes and discussions, and two days of stand-up comedy in Wrexham from the 23rd – 26th April.

New acts announced include Britain’s best loved and most important punk performance poet, JOHN COOPER CLARKE.

Alongside comedians GARY DELANEY (Mock The Week / Radio 4) and Red Dwarf’s NORMAN LOVETT.

Also announced:
ALL WE ARE – an exciting 3 piece from Liverpool providing psychedelic soul & RnB. They recently signed to Domino affiliate Double 6 and are supporting Warpaint on tour in 2014.
KEYS: They’ve had a string of critically acclaimed releases, garnering praise and support from Radio 1, 2 and 6Music.
KIZZY CRAWFORD: You may recognise her as the singer of Calon Lan from BBC 6 Nations adverts, Kizzy has developed an increasing sophistication to her song writing and performance, this is complimented by her soaring voice that boasts both range and charisma.
YR ODS: Pop/Alternative band originally from the Bangor/Llanberis/Llanfairpwll/Star areas of North Wales who will make you cry (of happiness). Plus HOUDINI DAX, CAMERA, HMS Morris + MORE.

FOCUS Wales 2014 takes place on the 23rd, 24th, 25th and 26th April across various venues in Wrexham, North Wales.
Weekend Tickets are £30.00 available at www.focuswales.com/tickets

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Mowbird release debut LP – ‘Islander’

mike — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 16:06:47 +0000

I don’t think many expect much of North Wales, other than sheltered hobbit-like creatures, pit-stops for washout bands and Rhyl. I can’t tell if people outside of the area think it’s just like Mordor up there. It’s not ill-founded; having grown up in Wrexham, the other-worldly nature of the place strikes in a way that I don’t think people quite get elsewhere.

Growing up with an isolated love for DIY punk music, it took me a while to find anything remotely like that. There was a small metalcore/toughguy hardcore scene, but nothing I felt I identified with. I had never had much experience of punk in the physical world until that time, bar going to find stuff elsewhere. That was until my boss (at the time) told me that he was putting a band together with a few friends. Mowbird are a four-piece slacker pop band with a lo-fi buzz, a hard hitting punk backbone, a nod to 90s indie rock and kickass pulsating keyboard.

Ben Sawin (vocalist/guitarist/primary songwriter), Sue Dempsey (keyboard/vocals), Ben Trow (Drums/vocals) and Mike Smith (Bass) have grown over the course of four EPS, a couple of singles, some handmade t-shirts & CDs and find themselves at the beginning of 2014 with the release of a 7″ on Popty-Ping Records for their songs “Happy Active Horse Organ” & “Carousel” and preparing to release their first LP Islander (coming out on Cardiff-based Shape Records).

It’s been a long time coming, but ultimately welcomed and thoroughly exciting. Recently, to show off this brand new present to the world, they announced a tour (a couple of dates with the cute and fluffy RADSTEWART*), hittin’ the following stops:

FEB: 7th – (ALBUM LAUNCH PARTY) FOUR BARS, CARDIFF
17th – (Cheesus Crust Records Presents) FUEL, MANCHESTER*
18th – THE ROADHOUSE, SHEFFIELD*
20th – JT SOAR, NOTTINGHAM
21st – TANGLED PARROT, CARMARTHERN*
22nd – LE PUB, NEWPORT*
23rd – CAFE KINO, BRISTOL*
24th – OLD BLUE LAST, LONDON
25th – THE PRINCE ALBERT, BRIGHTON*
26th – THE COMMERCIAL, WREXHAM

FULL TOUR DETAILS: https://www.facebook.com/events/651014531607136/

I think you would do well to go down to one of them. I’m putting on the Manchester show (which is FREE entry, but we’re encouraging donations). If you’re into Joanna Gruesome, Playlounge, YRRS or anything catchy and fast, get involved.

The band have been announced to play Focus Wales in April too. (YES!)

LINX:
www.facebook.com/Mowbird
www.mowbird.bandcamp.com
www.mowbird.tumblr.com
mowbird@gmail.com
@mowbird

words and cover photo by Eliot Humphreys (Yuppy Ditch) of the permanently-passionate-punk label Cheesus Crust Records. Go check the new releases at http://cheesuscrustrecords.bandcamp.com/
www.facebook.com/cheesuscrustrecords

cheesuscrustrecords@gmail.com
@yuppyditch

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Open Market exhibition and December at Un Deg Un

mike — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 16:03:10 +0000

With just £20 to spend on materials local artists from Wrexham and Chester have risen to the challenge to produce unique, original artworks to go on show to the public at Undegun.

The latest exhibition will feature work from members of the Chester Contemporary Artists group who have combined with local artists including studio holders and friends of Undegun.

Designed as a challenge to artists, the exhibition asks contributors to produce a new piece of work from a budget of just £20 spent on materials from Wrexham’s historic markets. The aim of ‘Open Market’ was to encourage the town’s creative community to engage with the town centre, specifically the town’s markets, and to produce original work to present to the public.

Artist Jo Marsh, who is also a studio holder at the art space, says:

“As a participating artist, Open Market has meant an opportunity for me to create new work which falls outside my usual practice. Through sourcing materials solely from Wrexham’s markets, I have been able to explore and interact with these places in a different and more personal way; The making process has been guided by what I have discovered on the stalls. Hopefully the exhibition will convey a symbolic message about our appreciation of not only the markets but Wrexham town as a whole – a place artists are gladly choosing to live and work.”

The exhibition will be the last one of the year at Undegun (formerly JJB sports on Regent Street) before it opens again next year. It launches on Friday 22 November at seven o’clock and will run until Thursday 12 December.

Between the exhibition launch and the end of the year we have plenty more in store.
The Wrexham Community Artists Network (Wrexham Cân) are meeting for the first time on Wednesday 27th of November. A creative network giving the participatory arts in Wrexham a voice, Wrexham Cân will offer community artists in all disciplines and at any stage of their career a space to share their experiences, reflect on their work and make connections. These gatherings will be run in partnership with Welsh National Opera and Arts Connection taking place on the last Wednesday of each month – except December.

On Saturday 30 November Urban XI returns. This platform for creative musicians and electronic artists to experiment, improvise and collaborate will run alongside a comic-book workshop hosted by local illustrator Heather Wilson.

The final date of Camera’s winter tour, which also saw the band play at Swn festival in Cardiff, is a special homecoming show at Undegun on Friday November 6. Support comes from Sparrowhawks and Baby Brave.

On Monday December 9, from 7-9 p.m. local student & writer Tim Humphreys-Jones and THIS Project will again be offering a warm welcome to local writers, poets, lyricists, beatboxers, performance artists, comedians, singers and story-tellers to Voicebox after a successful debut earlier this month.

The last day of activity at Undegun this year will be Saturday 14 December and there will be an indoor Christmas market and end of year show. Throughout the day local artists and crafters will be sharing their unique wares and offering you the opportunity to make some great purchases in time for Christmas. Anyone interested in holding a stall should email contact@thiproject. Then, once the stalls are cleared away the show begins. Run in partnership with Focus Wales, The Roseville Band, Doppelganger and Sparrowhawks make a great billing for the ‘Winter Mixer’.

Also, there’s a Craft & Chat group on every Thursday afternoon from 2.30 until 4.30 so come along to that if you can

For more information on these events visit www.thisproject.co.uk and for information on how to get involved or volunteer your time email contact@thisproject

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Focus Wales Volunteer Opportunities

mike — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:33:17 +0000

AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER POSITIONS FOR 2013:

1. INTERNSHIP: A 3-week placement beginning Mon 8th April for three days per week. Candidate will work alongside festival management team in the run up to and during the event assisting with all aspects of event management and logistics.

NOTE: This is a voluntary position – no financial or funding support will be available. Applicants must be able to arrange their own accommodation or transport before applying for the position.

Successful applicants may also be required to attend an interview the week before the placement.

2. CONFERENCE TEAM: Assisting during the festival with the smooth running of our conference event.

Duties include: Hospitality, looking after panellists/delegates, assisting with production on the day.

3. BOX OFFICE TEAM: Assisting the box office manager during the festival at our main box office and at the box offices at our various venues.

Duties include: Managing cash sales / tickets / wristbands and guest lists.

4. LIVE LIASON TEAM: Assisting the Artist Liaison and Venue managers during the event.

Duties include: Hospitality, helping the Artist Liaison to look after the various performers at the event.

5. LIVE PRODUCTION TEAM: Assisting Production Manager and senior Crew with the technical side of the event.

Duties include: Working with Event production crew and artist production crew at the various live venues to ensure the swift turn around of equipment.

NOTE: No experience necessary but please do let us know if you do have any relevant experience in this field.

Also, successful applicants for this position must be able to provide their own personal protection equipment i.e. safety boots, high visibility clothing etc

–

After reading over each description please place them in numbered order of preference:

E.g. ‘2,4,1,3,5’

And return to:

info@focuswales.com

(IF THERE IS A POSITION YOU ARE DEFINITELY NOT INTERESTED IN, PLEASE LEAVE IT OUT OF YOUR LIST)

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