wolverhampton art gallery Exhibitions & Events June July August 2010 Free entry
Welcome
We are proud to announce that Arts and Museums have joined Archives and Local Studies to become a new Arts and Heritage service. Wolverhampton’s rich transport heritage is celebrated in the exhibition Through the Eyes of an Apprentice brought together by our dedicated community panel with wonderful old photographs from Archives and objects in our collection. The major exhibition this summer is Stories, where contemporary art is displayed like never before, in an enchanted, magical world which we hope will capture the imagination of children, and big kids too! As we start the countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games, we will be contributing to the hundreds of sporting, arts and culture events across the UK on Open Weekend (23 - 25 July). Together with Bantock House Museum and The New Art Gallery Walsall, we will be challenging families to get together at our events and take part in something new. You could try something new this summer at one of our workshops or events, or just take a few minutes quiet contemplation as you stroll around the Gallery. Corinne Miller Head of Arts and Heritage
Cover image: Big Spotty (detail) by Alex Dewart © the artist Right: Forest Dreaming/Darwin's Cat (detail) by Anna Keleher © the artist
Stories Until 4 Sep An exciting and enchanted group show of mixed media works inspired by stories, childhood memories and fictional tales. Amongst this magical environment you will find a variety of sculpture, collages, paintings, textiles and installations. Discover a magical world of giant illuminated flowers by artists Aether & Hemera, books that appear to be on fire with paper flames, and Rebecca Stevenson’s beautiful animal sculptures. Spend some time reading a selection of fascinating and nostalgic books and have a go at some of our fun and free activities. Get creative at one of the many Stories inspired events and workshops, pick up the family fun leaflet or go to the website for more details.
Events Make Your Own Story: Family Day Sat 5 Jun 12 – 4pm Drop into the Gallery between 12-4pm to see the Stories exhibition and create your own story in this free workshop led by artists. Show & Tell: Acoustic Spoken Word Night Tues 27 Jul 5pm – 8.30pm A showcase of the best in spoken word and acoustic talent from the region. Refreshments provided. Creating Stories - Bookbinding Workshop Sat 14 Aug 10am – 3.30pm Create your own handmade sewn-bound book with artist-curator and book-binder Rachel Marsden in this one-day workshop. £20 including lunch and refreshments. All materials provided. Booking essential and places are limited to 8.
Event Curator Tour Sat 12 Jun 2pm – 2.30pm Join Pop Protest curator, Zoë Lippett, for a walk-around tour of the exhibition and a consideration of the approaches used by the artists.
Catechism (2005) by Gerald Laing © the artist
Pop Protest: Art for an Anxious Age Until 30 Oct Drawing on the Gallery’s extensive collection of Pop Art and artist loans, Pop Protest compares two periods in our recent history: 1965-1975 and 2000-2010, exploring what made these years so fragile and turbulent for us. In both periods Pop artists have acted as social commentators, demonstrating the impact of war and politics on society- whether it be in 1970s Vietnam or modern day Iraq. The exhibition includes Gerald Laing’s War Paintings, Derek Boshier’s Pantomime War works, and Jann Haworth’s Hollow Men piece from the noughties, while artworks by Richard Hamilton, Colin Self, Joe Tilson, and James Rosenquist cast a critical lens on the sixties and seventies.
Archiving Place & Time: Contemporary Art Practice in Northern Ireland since the Belfast Agreement 19 Jun – 4 Dec
Donegall Lane, Belfast 1988 by Willie Doherty © the artist
It is now just over a decade since the historic Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed, ending thirty years of bitter conflict in Northern Ireland, and bringing significant changes not just for people’s everyday lives but for their awareness of the past and their hopes for the future. Archiving Place & Time reveals how a new generation of artists from the north have responded to this changed situation. It includes photographs, installations and drawings that engage with history, memory and archival material. Developed by Millennium Court Arts Centre, Craigavon, and Manchester Metropolitan University in association with Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
Allegiances and Assurances by Sandra Johnston © the artist
Holylands by Seamus Harahan Until 3 Jul By Belfast based artist and filmmaker Seamus Harahan, Holylands was shot through the artist’s window on the streets of Belfast and directly references the names of his neighbourhood’s streets - Jerusalem Street, Palestine Street, Damascus Street, Carmel Street and Cairo Street.
Seamus Harahan, Holylands, 2004. Purchased through the Contemporary Art Society's Acquisition Scheme 2009.
The film depicts people going about their everyday lives, an ordinary snapshot of an extraordinary area, defined by its history of religious divide and social unrest.
Through the Eyes of an Apprentice: A Community Panel Exhibition 12 Jun – 16 Oct Wolverhampton’s late Victorian and Edwardian history will be explored through the eyes of a Sunbeam apprentice in this Community Panel exhibition. The exhibition will explore our rich transport history and life in Victorian Wolverhampton with a focus on the Sunbeam story. The display will showcase objects from our collection, archive material and collections sourced from the local community. The exhibition will also include a new heritage walk, The Blakenhall Trail, which will explore the industrial and automotive history of this area.
Events Opening Event Sat 12 Jun 11am – 1pm Join us to celebrate the opening of Through the Eyes of an Apprentice. Meet members of the panel, enjoy local writers group ‘Bilston Writers’ performing new work and join us on a guided heritage walk which leaves the Gallery at 1.30pm. Refreshments provided. The Art Metalware of Wolverhampton Fri 18 Jun 2pm – 3pm Discover the art metalware of Wolverhampton with local historian and collector Frank Sharman in this illustrated talk. Victorian Attitudes to Nature Talk Fri 16 Jul 2pm – 3pm Explore the varied and contradictory Victorian attitudes to nature through works in our Victorian gallery. The Legacy in the Landscape Fri 20 Aug 2pm – 3pm Explore the stories which have left their mark on the Black Country landscape in this illustrated talk with Landscape Archaeologist Paul Quigley.
Photographs reproduced with permission of Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) by Nick Jordan
Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) by Nick Jordan 5 Jun - 17 July Set in a woodland forest in Norway, a folk dancer demonstrates the 'halling' dance, showing strength and virility. Cornershop's cover of the Beatles classic, ‘Norwegian Wood’ is played to accompany the dance. Commissioned by the ICA, cultural traditions are explored, with folk dancers wearing traditional dress, set against a natural landscape.
Let the User Speak Next by Nick Jordan 18 Jul - 28 Aug This film documents a visitor’s encounter with La Tourette, a Dominican monastery built on the edge of a forest. The title is taken from the book Modular 2 by Le Corbusier who designed the concrete Modernist building. Through sound and colour, follow a curious journey to discover more about this building.
Unforgetable Lessons From Engaging Places 10 Jul – 14 Aug Funded by CABE and Find Your Talent ,Telford Students from Ercall Wood Technology college and Madeley Academy have worked with Staff from Wolverhampton Art Gallery and writer Jefny Ashcroft and Artist Ruth Swallow to investigate Architecture in Telford and Wolverhampton and make a film, models and collages as a response. The work from Telford is joined by work from other schools across the UK produced as part of this project.
Gift
Hire Space
This display showcases some of the many art works that The Friends of Wolverhampton Arts and Museums Service have helped us to acquire, through their fundraising activities, over the years. 2009 was their 30th anniversary and visitors will be able to discover more about the work of the Friends group and find out how to get involved.
Exercises in Acrylics Until 26 Jun Exercises in Acrylics explores methods using acrylic paint. Lesley Harper experiments with sponges, fingers, palette knives, as well as brushes. She uses colour and texture to express her emotions.
Event How Artists Make Original Prints Tues 3 Aug 1pm – 2pm Looking at various works on display in the gallery, this talk explores the tools and working methods of printmakers.
Victorian Gallery Discover Wolverhampton’s collection of Victorian decorative objects and art works in a permanent exhibition. The two-room display explores the fascinating world of the Victorians, including their passion for Eastern influenced design.
I too am Artist 3 Jul – 31 Jul An exhibition of paintings by David Humphries, mostly painted with emulsion and household paints, often using recycled or found materials. Just as I am 7 Aug – 4 Sept Young people from Penn Hall Special School working with artist Lisa Gunn have produced mixed media work on the theme of disability and ability. Funded by Media Box.
Family
Family Discovery Day Every Saturday Come along on Saturdays and see what you and your family can do together. Explore our exhibitions and find out fascinating facts, do some drawing, or just relax and listen to a story. Free, drop in. Art 4 Kids Sat 5 Jun, Sat 3 Jul and Sat 7 Aug 11am – 1pm Get creative and come along to our free monthly club for budding young artists. Aged 11 and under, drop-in.
Visiting anywhere with little ones can be stressful so we’ve tried to change that by making our venue a great place to explore and have fun together.
Family Focus Sat 14 Aug 11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm Bring along your grown-ups and explore our collection in a hands-on workshop.
We have a range of family facilities - from high chairs, a buggy park and colouring sheets to a family activity trail.
Make your Mark at the Gallery Thu 10 Jun, Thu 24 June, Thu 8 Jul & Thu 22 Jul 10.30am – 12pm Come along to our under 5s workshop and meet other artists in the making! £1.50, with a discount for brothers and sisters, booking required.
Cultural Olympiad: Open Weekend Sat 24 July 11am – 4pm In the countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games we will be contributing to the hundreds of sporting, arts and culture events across the UK on Open Weekend. At this fun family day you can have your family portrait snapped, create a photo frame, find out about digital cameras and meet the families from our collection
Artforum Artforum is the Gallery’s group for young people (aged 14-25) who meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month between 4.30pm – 6.30pm. Pick up the Artforum leaflet or go online to see the upcoming programme. All sessions are free and drop-in, for more information contact Jen Dooner.
For more family events pick up our family friendly leaflet, or go to www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Events Diary Booking 01902 552055. Events are free and drop in, unless stated otherwise. Sat 5 June
Make Your Own Story: Family Day
12pm – 4pm
Family
Sat 5 June
Art 4 Kids
11am – 1pm
Family
Thu 10 June
Make your Mark workshop
10.30am – 12pm
Under 5’s
Sat 12 June
Community Panel: Opening Event
11am – 1pm
All
Sat 12 June
Pop Protest Curator Tour
2pm – 2.30pm
Adult Talk
Fri 18 June
The Art Metalware of Wolverhampton
2pm - 3pm
Adult Talk
Thu 24 June
Make your Mark workshop
10.30am – 12pm
Under 5’s
Sat 3 July
Art 4 Kids
11am – 1pm
Family
Thu 8 July
Make your Mark workshop
10.30am – 12pm
Under 5’s
Fri 16 July
Victorian Attitudes to Nature Talk
2pm – 3pm
Adult Talk
Thu 22 July
Make your Mark workshop
10.30am – 12pm
Under 5’s
Sat 24 July
Cultural Olympiad: Open Weekend
11am – 4pm
Family
Tues 27 Jul
Acoustic Spoken Word Night
5pm – 8.30pm
Adult
Tues 3 Aug
How Artists Make Original Prints
1pm – 2pm
Adult Talk
Sat 14 Aug
Bookbinding Workshop £20
10am – 3.30pm
Adult
Sat 14 Aug
Family Focus
11am – 12pm
Family
Sat 14 Aug
Family Focus: Handling session
1pm – 2pm
Family
Fri 20 Aug
The Legacy in the Landscape
2pm – 3pm
Adult Talk
Fam il
Wolverhampton Art Gallery For more family events pick up our family friendly leaflet, or go to www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
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Our Supporters
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is grateful to the following for their funding and support:
We wish to thank Reeves for contributing Art Materials for our workshops we look forward to our continued relationship with the company.
New works for the collection ‘The Narrow Road to the Deep North, Auguries of Innocence’ by David Gepp Acquired for the Northern Ireland collection as part of the Collecting Cultures Scheme, funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund. In addition, David donated four works from the series. Seven drawings by the artist Frank Brangwyn A recent bequest from Mrs I M C Sidaway. We have also receieved a welcome bequest from the late Mrs Graham to purchase a work for the collection.
Friends of Wolverhampton Arts & Museums Become a 'Friend' and help buy works of art for the collections as well as enjoying special events and trips. Pick up a form at the Gallery or print a copy from our website: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk
Venue Hire The perfect city centre venue for a special event, conference or meeting, from as little as £60. For further information please call or email artgallery@wolverhampton.gov.uk
Visit Us Wolverhampton Art Gallery Lichfield Street Wolverhampton WV1 1DU Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Free Entry The Gallery will be closed for Bank Holiday: 30 August Tel: 01902 552055 fax: 01902 552053 artgallery@wolverhampton.gov.uk Find us online: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk Facebook: Facebook.com/WolverhamptonArtGallery Twitter: Twitter.com/WolvArtGallery
Travel The Gallery is 5 minutes walk from rail, metro and bus stations. The nearest car park is the Civic Centre just two minutes away. By car follow the signs from the M5, M6 & M54.
Shop A treasure trove of souvenirs, original crafts, cards and jewellery, for all tastes and budgets.
Café Relax in the laid-back setting of the Café with its delicious menu, range of speciality loose-leaf teas and fresh coffees.
Information Point The Information Point at Wolverhampton Art Gallery provides a wide range of information about what’s on and what there is to do in the city.
Access Blue badge holders may use the parking bays on Wulfruna Street, just a few metres from the ramped entrance in St. Peter's Passage. Two lifts serve the upper floors of the gallery. Limited seating is available on the lower floor of the Cafe. To reserve a seat please call 01902 552055.
Weddings The Rococo Room at the Molineux Hotel, now the City Archives, is licenced for weddings, capacity 70. For further information call 01902 552450. Visit www.wolverhamptoncity.co.uk for your ultimate guide to visiting the city.