The New Art Gallery Walsall
February to May 2015
Design by Stereographic
Cover Image ~ Ellen Gallagher, DeLuxe, 2004-5 (detail) Photo ©Tate, London, 2014
What’s On February — May 2015 Exhibitions – FOUND – Sikander Pervez – Small Worlds – Siân Macfarlane: We Are Illuminated – St Ives Artists: from The Clive Beardsmore Gift – Darren Banks: The Raven – The Clive Beardsmore Gift Visit our website: thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Join the blog, Facebook us or just follow on Twitter @newartgallery
Small Worlds is supported by:
Events supported by:
The gallery is accredited by:
Sikander Pervez and artist development supported by:
Elizabeth Rowe, Old News (foam), 2014, Ink on newspaper Courtesy the artist
Artists' Studio Elizabeth Rowe Until 5 April 2015 Floor 1 Elizabeth Rowe’s collages bring together disparate found images sourced from women’s magazines, National Geographic volumes, and old books in her own collection. The various collage components are assembled and reassembled incrementally, before being applied directly to a surface. Following a period of experimentation in the Artists’ Studio, Elizabeth's residency will culminate in the creation of a new temporary work for the Garman Ryan hall, beginning in February 2015. The gallery will remain open throughout, providing a rare insight into the artist’s working practice. Watch Elizabeth's work unfold in the gallery from 17 February – 5 April 2015. www.elrowe.com
Collage Party
Thursday 9 April, 12-4pm Floor 1, Artists' Studio
See events page or website for information.
Coming Soon... Group Occupation III 5 May — 8 September 2015 Eastside Projects’ Extra Special People (ESP) programme and The New Art Gallery Walsall are teaming up for a third time to host Group Occupation, a series of three short interconnecting residencies involving nine artists.
The New Art Gallery, in partnership with Turning Point West Midlands, offers a range of professional and creative development opportunities for artists in the region. Opportunities are intended for artists at different stages of their career including studio visits, micro-residences and practical guidance. tpwestmidlands.org.uk
Julie Cockburn, The Telepath, 2014, Hand embroidery on found photograph. Copyright the artist. Courtesy Flowers, London.
FOUND Until 3 May 2015 Floor 3 FOUND brings together seven contemporary artists who work with found images. Transforming, cutting, embellishing and re-working visual material sourced from the internet, flea markets, magazines and discarded personal collections, the artists enter into the histories and narratives present in strangers’ images. The exhibition explores themes of loss, memory and mass cultural experience, as well as sociallyconstructed hierarchies concerning gender, race, religion and mass culture. Drawing attention to our relentless consumption and self-projection of visual information in a digital age, the selected works reverberate and bring into question the feeling of being suffocated and framed by representations of other people’s lives, tastes and experiences. The exhibition features work by Paul Chiappe, Ruth Claxton, Julie Cockburn, Ellen Gallagher, Vesna Pavlović, Erik Kessels and John Stezaker, including six new works specially commissioned by The New Art Gallery Walsall. In Conversation Saturday 7 March, 2pm FREE Join exhibiting artist Ruth Claxton as she discusses her ongoing Postcards series with FOUND Curator, Zoë Lippett. Book your free place at the Gallery reception or by calling 01922 654400. www.ruthclaxton.info
Paul Chiappe, Untitled 48, 2010, Pencil on paper Courtesy of the Artist and Lea Weingarten Collection. Photo: John K. McGregor
Curator tour Saturday 28 March, 2pm FREE, drop-in FOUND Curator, Zoë Lippett, will introduce the themes and artworks in the exhibition.
Small Worlds 21 May — 6 September 2015 Floor 3 Today, we live in a fluid culture where, within our towns and cities, different languages are spoken, different cultures and religions prevail and we can consume materials and goods from throughout the world. TV, the Internet, advertising and new technologies bring the whole of the world to our doorstep. High streets are becoming more generic with local distinctions and characteristics becoming increasingly obscure.
Andreas Gefeller, SV 06, 2012, inkjet print on paper, 32 x 32 cm. Presented by the Art Fund under Art Fund International for joint ownership by The New Art Gallery Walsall and Birmingham Museums Trust, 2013. Image courtesy of the artist and Thomas Rehbein Galerie, Cologne.
The artists in this exhibition focus their attention on the urban environment. Their work allows us to reflect on a variety of considerations. How do we understand the concept of the local within an increasingly globalised context? What impact does the transformation of our local environment have on our identity and our communities? For some artists, Walsall provides a focus for a consideration of the impact of social and economic change in those areas on the periphery of our major towns and cities.
Rashid Rana, Language Series 3 (and detail below), 2011, lightjet print + DIASEC, 270 x 360 cm. Presented by the Art Fund under Art Fund International for joint ownership by The New Art Gallery Walsall and Birmingham Museums Trust, 2013. Image courtesy of the artist and Lisson Gallery.
Participating artists include Graham Chorlton, Rita Donagh, Richard Forster, Cameron Galt, Andreas Gefeller, Naiza Khan, Stuart Layton, Laura Oldfield Ford, Mark Power and Rashid Rana. Many of the works selected are from Walsall’s Permanent Collection, including an international collection of works on the theme of the modern metropolis jointly acquired by The New Art Gallery Walsall and Birmingham Museums Trust, in partnership with Ikon Gallery, and with the support of the Art Fund through Art Fund International.
Preview: Wednesday 20 May, 6-8pm
Sikander Pervez, work in progress, 2014. Courtesy of the artist.
Sikander Pervez 30 January — 19 April 2015 Floor 4 Sikander Pervez transforms mundane objects and materials such as chairs, wood, castors and wheels into poetic visual forms by challenging or exaggerating their original function. His practice is also directed by a rigorous experimentation with materials and their inherent properties and potential. Sikander will be creating a brand new sculptural installation for his first solo exhibition since graduating from Staffordshire University in 2013. Sikander was selected from New Art West Midlands 2014, the best of the graduates from West Midlands Universities for this significant development opportunity.
New Art West Midlands is a collaborative project involving five universities and nine galleries from across the region. newartwestmidlands.org sikanderpervez.co.uk sikanderpervez.tumblr.com In Conversation Saturday 28 March, 3pm Join the artist and Deborah Robinson, Head of Exhibitions, for an informal tour of the exhibition. Book your free place in advance by calling 01922 654400. Preview: Thursday 29 January, 6-8pm
Siân Macfarlane, We Are Illuminated (film still), 2014-15, HD video, Courtesy of the artist
Siân Macfarlane We Are Illuminated 1 May — 26 July 2015 Floor 4 Over the past 12 months, artist Siân Macfarlane has immersed herself in the history of leisure and celebration in Walsall. Spanning the 1800s to the present day, Siân’s research has uncovered the rich and varied history of pageants, fairs, carnivals, cinemas and performance in the area, including the famed Walsall Illuminations. For her solo exhibition at The New Art Gallery Walsall, Siân will present a multilayered film, which interweaves past and present and explores the synchronicities of leisure pastimes throughout the ages. Central to the film is a script written by M Charles Bardell, which charts events in Walsall's history, from the town's origins in 900 to 1900. This play, originally performed in Walsall Town Hall in 1951, is re-enacted by local students, with tableaus recalling stories of Sister Dora and the Bayard Colts.
Rarely seen artefacts and memorabilia accompany the film. Audiences are invited to reminisce, be enlightened and become illuminated. Siân Macfarlane is based in Wolverhampton. Her exhibition extends research developed during her 2014 residency at The New Art Gallery Walsall, which was funded by Turning Point West Midlands. weareilluminated.webly.com sianmacfarlane.com In Conversation Saturday 20 June, 2pm Book your free place in advance by calling 01922 654400 Preview: Wednesday 20 May, 6-8pm
The Clive Beardsmore Gift
Interventions in the Garman Ryan Galleries Until December 2015 Floors 1 and 2
The 2015 Interventions into the Garman Ryan Collection are a selection from a large gift of 200 artworks donated to the Gallery in 2014 by Birmingham-based private collector, Clive Beardsmore. Clive has a longstanding association with our collections, having early in his career worked at the old Walsall Art Gallery in the 1970s, with the curator Michael Mosesson, coinciding with the time Walsall received Kathleen Garman’s gift. Throughout a varied career which has included working as a town planner, assistant curator, life model, and continues as a historical researcher, Clive has been a long-term supporter of the Gallery, and now his personal collection finds a permanent home here. In such times of austerity we are indebted to this philanthropic act and delighted to receive such a generous donation to our collections. Works from The Clive Beardsmore Collection are exhibited throughout the first and second floor in the themed Garman Ryan galleries, featuring works on paper by leading Modern British Artists such as Edward Bawden, John Bratby, Laura Knight, Patrick Procktor and Keith Vaughan, all artists previously not represented in our collections, and enabling us to fill gaps and expand our holding of Modern British works in particular. Two works feature by Clive’s former neighbour and Head of Fine Art at Birmingham College of Art, William Gear, whose centenary is 2015. There is also a drawing by Jacob Epstein, adding to our renowned collection
Patrick Procktor, Leaping Cataract, Victoria Falls, 1974, aquatint, copyright the estate of the artist
An Introduction to The Clive Beardsmore Collection Until 15 March 2015 1st floor corridor
An Introduction to this Gift is presented on the first floor corridor until 15 March, which highlights the different facets and the personal nature of the collection and the relationship between private collector and artist. It includes works by existing artists in our collections such as Peter Blake, Ken Kiff and RB Kitaj and works by contemporary West Midlands based artists including Paul Bartlett and Peter Shread. In Conversation Saturday 14 March 2015, 2pm Clive Beardsmore In-Conversation and Tour of exhibitions
Paul Bartlett, Search, 1978-80, drypoint, copyright the artist
Sonia Delaunay, Composition, 1971, lithograph, copyright the estate of the artist
of works by the artist, and a print by Sonia Delaunay, whose retrospective is being held at Tate Modern in 2015 and whose husband Robert features in The Garman Ryan Collection, his painting of Stravinsky being a favourite of Kathleen Garman’s.
ARTWORK OF THE MONTH Free, everyone welcome Saturday 28 February, 2pm Paul Bartlett Search, 1978-80, drypoint Chosen by Rob Conway Thursday 19 March, 2pm Michael Rothenstein The Garden, undated, woodcut Chosen by Kiran Muctor Saturday 25 April, 2pm Elizabeth Blackadder Stlll Life and Fruit, undated, etching Chosen by Sam Mace Saturday 23 May, 2pm Keith Vaughan, Standing Figures, 1944, ink and watercolour Chosen by Julie Jones
Darren Banks The Raven
Until 26 April 2015 Floors 1 and 2 Contemporary British artist Darren Banks has created a new installation based around the extraordinary life of Churton Fairman (19241997). Better known by his alias Mike Raven, Fairman started out as a ballet dancer and photographer, before becoming a pirate radio dj, and one of the first presenters on BBC Radio One. He was also a horror movie actor, with a strong interest in the occult, as well as a devout Catholic who presented religious programmes on ITV. In the 1970s he moved with his family to Bodmin Moor in Cornwall to become a sheep farmer and took up sculpture. Fairman’s woodcarvings, which were of a religious theme, were exhibited alongside the work of Jacob Epstein and Henry Moore, and were well received and collected during his lifetime. Darren Banks recently discovered he had a family connection to Fairman, and was intrigued by his life story. His practice examines the relationship between film and sculpture and he has developed a body of work inspired by Fairman’s legacy, drawing from the many varied elements of his life. Our Garman Ryan temporary exhibition space hosts an installation by Banks, which incorporates works from our collections by artists including Jacob Epstein, Isabel Rawsthorne and Eugene Joseph Verboeckhoven, alongside found objects and film works by Banks. There is an additional installation on Floor 1, including documentary footage of Fairman. We have also been gifted one of Churton Fairman’s sculptures by his family, The Deposition from the Cross, which is on display in our Religion room as part of this exhibition.
Installation shot of Religion room with The Deposition from the Cross by Churton Fairman
Darren Banks, Jump Shot, 2013, film still Courtesy the artist
In Conversation Saturday 21 February 2015, 2pm Darren Banks Artist In-Conversation and Tour of Exhibition Saturday 18 April 2015, 2pm Mandy Fairman-Dick, widow of Churton Fairman, discusses his extraordinary life and work
St Ives Artists
from The Clive Beardsmore Gift 2 May — 23 August 2015 Floor 2, Garman Ryan Temporary Exhibition Space
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Collage 127, 1983 oil and acrylic on card, copyright the estate of the artist
Sandra Blow, Sea Nets, 1997, watercolour and mixed media, copyright the estate of the artist
Curator’s Tour Saturday 11 July 2015, 2pm Curator’s Tour of The Clive Beardsmore Interventions and St Ives Artists exhibition All talks are free, everyone welcome
This in-focus exhibition from The Clive Beardsmore Collection looks at a body of work by artists associated with the Cornish harbour town of St Ives, which from the Second World War onwards was home to a wide range of leading abstract artists, who sought quiet refuge from the atrocities happening across Europe and gained inspiration away from the hectic pace of London. Although many Modern British Artists rejected total abstraction following the war, and returned to more figurative work, the St Ives Artists embraced the abstract values of Modernism, and applied it to an appreciation of the landscape of Cornwall and its connection to Europe across the Channel. Their work explored the expressive and gestural potential of mark making often taking as their starting point the landscape or nature around them and offered a British counterpoint to the American Abstract Expressionists of the 1950s such as Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning. St Ives to this day continues to draw contemporary artists and is synonymous with a strong artistic output which has grown over the last century. Among the artists represented in The Clive Beardsmore Collection are Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Sandra Blow, Patrick Heron, Terry Frost, Peter Lanyon and Tony O’Malley.
The Garman Ryan Collection The Garman Ryan Collection was gifted to the Borough of Walsall in 1973 by Lady Kathleen Epstein (nĂŠe Garman), widow of the great 20th century sculptor, Jacob Epstein. Kathleen was originally from Wednesbury and, although had spent much of her life in London, wanted to give something back to the Black Country where she had grown up. She had formed this important collection with her close friend, Sally Ryan, granddaughter of an American tycoon and talented sculptor in her own right, following the death of Epstein in 1959. Together they collected 365 important works, including those by renowned artists such as Van Gogh, Monet, Constable, Picasso, Degas and Matisse, as well as by friends and family members, such as Epstein, Matthew Smith, Theo Garman and Lucian Freud, alongside artefacts from many cultures around the world. Works are displayed in the thematic groupings proscribed by Kathleen on her donation, which allows the opportunity to make unexpected links and comparisons across different cultures and centuries.
The Permanent Collection The New Art Gallery Walsall has an impressive Permanent Collection of over 3000 works, which have been collected since the foundation of the original art gallery in Walsall in 1892. As well as historic works and works with a particular resonance to Walsall, the Gallery retains a strong commitment to contemporary collecting, reflected in acquisitions made through the Contemporary Art Society Special Collection Scheme and Art Fund International, as well as collecting works from contemporary artists who have exhibited or had residencies at the Gallery.
Art Library & Archive
Venue Hire
The Art Library is a public reference resource, with free internet access, a large range of art books, exhibition catalogues, and art magazines. Staff can also act as a point of contact for any queries relating to our collections or exhibition programme and can assist with access to books and information and can also take enquiries regarding access to our archive.
A unique setting for inspiring and creative events at affordable rates. Be surrounded by fascinating art collections and exhibitions in a signature building designed by Caruso St John. Enjoy panoramic views from the roof terrace adjoining the newly refurbished 4th Floor Conference Facility and hospitality by recommended caterers Costa Coffee. Frequent train services from Birmingham and parking available nearby. Contact venuehire@thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk
frIENDS of the gallery By becoming a Friend or a Garman Ryan Friend you will have access to a wide range of fantastic membership benefits. You will also be supporting the gallery’s exhibitions and education programmes in a unique way, and helping to ensure that The New Art Gallery Walsall remains a free admission gallery for everyone to enjoy. Membership starts from £20, to find out more please contact Chris Wilkinson, Friends Membership Scheme on 01922 654416 email: wilkinsonc@walsall.gov.uk or pick up a leaflet from the gallery reception.
Drop in anytime
Open all day
The Family Gallery is a new space to explore together and understand what an art gallery is. Try on a hat, talk about paintings and sketch your own artwork. Each month there will be a family friendly making workshop in the space it’s free drop in. Pop in and see us to find out what’s happening. Check out our Pinterest site www.pinterest.com/NAGEducation to see photos of what we’re making!
Family Sundays Drop In Check out our family Sundays. There is a drop in workshop, only £1.50 per child, with carer, to come and join in. Buy your workshop ticket at the reception desk on the day. Workshops run 1-3pm. These are for all ages, everyone is welcome.
Sweetheart
Mosaic
Screenprint
It’ll be Valentine’s Day soon. Come along and make a pop up card inspired by the love between Kathleen Garman and Jacob Epstein.
Learn how to make your mosaic.
Be inspired by the work of St Ives Artists and make your own silk screen.
1 February
1 March
3 May
* Please note any bookings made for paid workshops will be held for seven days without payment. The gallery has lift access to all floors and is buggy friendly, breastfeeding friendly and has babychange facilities on the ground floor.
Tuesday Tots For toddlers up to 4 years old with their carer. It's only £1.50 per child, to come and join in. Workshops run 11am – 12noon. Please book in advance on 01922 654400, or at the reception desk, and collect a workshop ticket when you’ve paid.
Drawing Outside the Box
My Face
Hair
Paint It
Think about the features on your face. What would it look like if you mixed them all up to make a new face? You can try it out today with collage.
Everyone has a different hairstyle. Come and paint and collage different hairstyles today.
This is your chance to explore mixing colours and painting today.
31 March
17 February
Do you ever go outside the lines of a drawing? You can today. Get on the floor and start to let your imagination run riot.
7 April
26 May
Wednesday Workshops Everyone can join in together on Wednesday workshops. Free, drop-in subject to space. All workshops run 1-3pm.
Shine a Light
Face It
Hair Today
Paint It
Draw a memory and project the slide for fascination. This is your opportunity to work with this now past technology making your own memories of using it.
For April Fools day make a new face in collage for our online gallery inspired by the work of John Stezaker in the FOUND exhibition.
Work by Ellen Gallagher in the FOUND exhibition is inspiring today's hairstyles. Create some great hair designs in collage or 3 dimensions.
Learn about different painting techniques and types of paints whilst you create your own masterpiece.
18 February
1 April
8 April
27 May
Friday Fun For families with children 4 years and older, who want to be creative together. It’s only £2.50 per child per session, to come and join in. Workshops run twice each day, 11-12.30pm and 1-2.30pm. Please book in advance on 01922 654400 or at reception and collect your ticket when you’ve paid.
Altered Images
Stitch It
Screen Star
Learn to lino print and mix this with found images to create your layered artwork.
Inspired by Ruth Claxton, learn to stitch onto an image to change how you look at it.
Make your own two colour screen print inspired by the work of the St Ives Artists.
20 February
10 April
29 May
Regular Family Events
Art Events
Baby Palace*
Collage Party
Fridays: 27 February, 27 March, 24 April, 22 May 10.30-11.30am, 12-1pm, 2-3pm These are sessions for new carers to relax in a multi-sensory environment and explore smells, sights and senses with your baby at your pace. This is a great chance to meet other new parents and share your experiences.
Art Start*
Wednesdays: 4 March, 6 May 11am-12 noon each day These are sessions for pre-school children 1 year old and upwards with carers. Come along and explore an artwork in the gallery and make things together to support your child in being creative. * £1.50 per child per session. Book both in advance on 01922 654400 (Collect your session ticket from reception when you’ve paid.)
Arts Award
Take your Arts Award journey with us. You can do the arts award at all levels with us. Discover for 5-9 year olds, Explore for 7-11 year olds, Bronze for 11-14 year olds, Silver for 14-16 year olds and Gold for 16- 25 year olds. We are running different dates throughout the year. Please check the website for a full set of dates to work with us throughout 2015.
Thursday 9 April, 12-4pm Floor 1, Artists' Studio Collage Party is about having conversations while you make. Join artist in residence Elizabeth Rowe to cut out and stick down your own collage to top tunes in the Artists' Studio. Materials, music and refreshments provided. See Artists' Studio page for more information on Elizabeth Rowe.
Regular Activities Frisky Bags
These are rucksacks full of activities to help you explore around the gallery together as a family. Ask to borrow one free from reception. Great for families with children 6-12 years old.
Tod Bags
These are character bags especially for 3-5 year olds with their carers. Each bag explores one artwork in the Garman Ryan Collection with a game, a book and something to discuss. Borrow one for free from reception.
Events for Everyone
Adult Talks
Vaisakhi 15 The Turban
Understanding Art Portrait and Place
#Vaisakhi15 Saturday 25 April
Thursday 5 February - The New Art Gallery Walsall Thursday 12 February - Ikon Gallery, Birmingham Thursday 19 February - The Barber Institute of Fine Arts Thursday 26 February - Wolverhampton Art Gallery
Join us for our annual celebration of this spiritual harvest time. In 2015 we are celebrating the turban - the crown of sikhism, which shows ‘the dedication of life to truthful living’. Come and celebrate with performances, mehndi, family workshops, learn about the history of the turban and experience having a turban tied on you.
The Little Painting Challenge To support the new BBC ONE prime-time series The Big Painting Challenge, BBC Learning are launching a competition called The Little Painting Challenge open to participants of all levels and ages. We want everyone to have a go at drawing or painting on a postcard. There will be lots of sessions at the gallery and tips online. Please check our website for times and dates for everyone to join in. See the BBC website for more information on the series.
£20/£16 (concs), for 4 sessions
To book call the Ikon Shop: 0121 248 0711 E-bookings via: www.ikon-gallery.org Join us for a diverse four part course, exploring the relationship between portrait and place in art. Starting at The New Art Gallery Walsall we will explore a range of contemporary approaches to the use of portraits in the group exhibition FOUND. At Ikon, discover the atmospheric Norwegian landscapes of contemporary artist A K Dolven and her extraordinary use of video, painting and photography. At the Barber Institute we will consider the relationship between artists, portraits and places in the Barber’s blue gallery. Ending at Wolverhampton Art Gallery the course will reflect on the impact of violence and division upon the geographical and psychological landscape of Northern Ireland, as viewed by artists in the critically acclaimed exhibition Art of The Troubles.
Opening times
Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm Sundays 12noon – 4pm Closed Mondays and Bank Holidays
Shop
Gallery Publications, limited edition Prints, Catalogues, Books, Gifts, Postcards and more – buy when you visit or order via info@thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk
Costa
Monday – Saturday 8.30am-5pm Sundays 10am-4pm
Mailing List
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Venue Hire
For corporate events and meetings, email venuehire@thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk or call 01922 654400 for further details. The New Art Gallery Walsall Gallery Square, Walsall WS2 8LG 01922 654400 thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Follow us on Twitter: @newartgallery Free WiFi available throughout the building.
Access guides and alternative versions of all printed materials are available on request. For more information please contact 01922 654400 Disclaimer: every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this edition of What’s On, which was correct at the time of publication. Walsall Council cannot be held responsible for any changes.
Talks and Tours
See our events programme or book a bespoke private tour for your group.
Education
For a full schools and colleges programme visit our website or contact 01922 654400.
Friends
Become a Friend of the gallery, see inside or check the website for more details