This week join the guys at Aspex Gallery on the evening of Thursday 7th December from 6pm to 8pm to celebrate the opening of not one but two exhibitions: EMERGENCY 2017 and Wild Water. EMERGENCY is the Gallery’s international open submission competition which this year had over three-hundred emerging artists applying for the biennial opportunity, of which just eight were selected.

EMERGENCY

The artists selected for EMERGENCY are: Eleanor Breeze, Matthew Gough, James Lewis, Lindsey Mendick, Flore Nové-Josserand, Beth Emily Richards, Maggie Roberts and Lotte Rose Kjær Skau. During EMERGENCY one of the eight artists will be chosen to receive a solo exhibition in 2019, as well as a fee of £1,000 to support the development of new work.

“EMERGENCY is the highlight of Aspex’s programme. This exhibition showcases emerging artists, working in varied media from across Europe. We are very excited to be showing the work of eight artists whose work reflects the diversity and dynamism of contemporary art practice”. – Joanne Bushnell, Director of Aspex

Previous winners of the prize, established in 2003, include: Susan Collis (2003), Tim Machin (2005), Cathy Ward & Eric Wright (2007), Kihlberg & Henry (2009), Charlie Tweed (2011), Jim Howieson (2013) and Maya Ramsay (2015).

You can find out more HERE.

Wild Water

Also launching on the 7th artist Alice Hume will be presenting her solo exhibition, Wild Water, in the Gallery’s Craft Space – a collection of hand woven wall hangings and interior textiles. From her studio at Portsmouth’s Hotwalls, Hume has created a new body of work, taking influence from coastal landscapes, depicted as both a source of life and potential danger. A danger, which is often expressed in media reports on the global migration and refugee tragedies at sea.

Combining this contemporary theme with historic references, Hume cites Ruta Sepetys’ ‘Salt to the Sea’, a historical text documenting one of history’s worst maritime tragedies. In 1945 three torpedoes were launched at the Wilhelm Gustloff a German military transport ship, resulting in the deaths of around 9,000 civilians, almost half were children.

“I wanted to create the danger and unpredictability of the sea, so I chose specific colour palettes of creams, greens and greys to convey the blend of the sky into the layers of the ocean”. – Alice Hume

Much of Hume’s work’s, featured within this exhibition, are finished with patina copper, giving the piece weight and denoting traditional symbolism. The pale green rust on the metal is a reminder of the exposure to the elements such as water and sea-salt.

Artist Talk

Prior to the opening of EMERGENCY you are invited to join a seminar at Aspex also on the 7th from 3pm to 5pm, discussing paid-for opportunities and the value, or otherwise, for artists. The panel will be chaired by artist and Artist Advisor Jonathan Parsons, alongside Joanne Bushnell, Director of Aspex; Lindsay Friend, Director of IMT Gallery and Cathy Lomax, artist & Director of Transition Gallery.

Booking is essential for the artist talk, and available through our Eventbrite page (click HERE). Spaces are £5.00 per person or are free for Aspex Artist Associations, as well as artists who have applied for EMERGENCY 2017.

On the night refreshments will be available to purchase from Aspex cafe partners, artisan bakery Bread Addiction. There is no need to RSVP for the exhibition opening, and direct any queries to: info@aspex.org.uk