RM magazine
ropewalk
craft
issue 6 free
Exhibitions Workshops Events April to June 2012
The Ropewalk • Barton upon Humber
welcome
W
elcome to the spring edition of Ropewalk Magazine. As the days grow longer and the bulbs appear we look forward to a year of growth and development. In May, following on from laying the new road running along side The Ropewalk last year, we will welcome an artist designed and fabricated gate. Sculptors Ailsa Magnus and Hamish Marr of Selby were selected to produce a piece of functional art to take the place of our very dilapidated gate.
craft activities, music, games, theatre and after we judge the best Victoria Sponge there will be a free afternoon tea! If you would like to help with the event let us know, I am especially keen to hear from knitters who want to help us knit enough bunting to stretch the length of the building.
Finally it is with sadness that we say goodbye to Sally Ward. Sally has been a member of staff since part way through our first year of opening in 2000 and a director If you have still not had a chance for many of those years. She has during Open Studios weekends to decided that it is time to retire and have a look behind the scenes at The will be spending some time with Ropewalk then April 28 is a date for her husband in Norway where he is your diary - more details later in this currently based for work. We wish Ropewalk magazine. her all the best and hope that she enjoys her new adventure. To celebrate the Jubilee we have decided to hold an afternoon Tea Liz Party on Sunday 3rd June. From 1pm the promenade will be the place to be as we hold children’s
T
Cover image: Tony Bellars
he Ropewalk is a regionally acclaimed centre for the arts housing galleries, sculpture garden, coffee shop, and Ropery Hall - a venue for live music, theatre and cinema within a Grade II listed former rope factory. Other facilities include: a printmaking workshop; artists’ studios; meeting rooms available for outside lets and a picture framing department. Admission Free Galleries Open: Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am - 4pm The Ropewalk is on one level with good wheelchair access; we are a 5 minute walk from the Barton Transport Interchange with half-hourly buses to Hull and Scunthorpe and a 2-hourly rail service to Grimsby and the wider rail network.
Find us on
Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
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craft
Collection: Carlos Versluys Box Gallery: May 5 - June 3
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have been a collector of Carlos’ work for many years and was delighted when he agreed to show his new work in the Box Gallery this spring. Carlos set up his ceramics studio in 1986, following a course at the Chelsea Westminster School, where he also worked as the ceramics technician. He taught for several years at Newark and Sherwood College and Clarendon College, Nottingham. In the spring of 1994 Carlos set up Vine Farm Pottery in Bainton, near Stamford and produced individual thrown pots, which were carved, impressed and textured by hand, usually
incorporating a high degree of handbuilding. Over the past six months Carlos has changed direction and commented that: “For this exhibition, after many years of working in high-fired stoneware, I have returned to earthenware, using creamywhite slips, with spontaneous rudimentary marks. My preoccupation is with simplicity in both form and decoration.” I will be looking forward to seeing the new work and perhaps adding to my collection. Liz
April - June 2012
craft
The Affordable Art of Cards
W
hether it is printed, photographed, sewn or collaged – The Ropewalk Craft Gallery boosts a vast array of handmade cards. Whether you want to wish someone happy birthday, drop them a line to stay in touch, congratulations on a wedding, say thank you, I love you, or indeed sorry, we have cards to fit all occasions. Alongside the small range of commercial art cards you will find original pen and watercolour hand drawn quirky characters by Twink Addison. Designed to make you smile they are suitable for a variety of occasions. Pick out your favourite.
Helen Drewitt’s cards are delicate appliqué designs inspired by folk art and vintage textiles. These are cards to be framed and treasured, not thrown away.
Hand pressed flowers/ hand painted and collaged cards using sparkly Indian fabrics by Sandra Mason add real pizzazz to any occasion.
All our cards have blank insides for your special message and all cost less than £5. Purchase for special someone or just treat yourself to your own piece of affordable art.
Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
01652 660380
Featured Jewellers April: Pamela Worthington
P
amela’s cosmopolitan history is reflected in her eclectic brooches and pendants crafted from sheet silver. The much-travelled jeweller’s naive designs embody a rich range of cultures and influences.
May: Laura Kent
L
aura Kent’s necklaces and bracelets are threaded with gemstones such as garnet and opal and completed with her hand crafted silver berry charm and clasp.
June: Sally Watson
S
ally’s chunky jewellery are fashioned in natural amber and make a beautiful statement piece
April - June 2012
exhibitions
A Sense Of Time
Print Open 2012 Call to artists
T
he third biennial Print Open runs in both Galleries throughout the summer. Featuring printmakers from all over the country it aims to show the very best of contemporary printmaking. As in previous years the exhibition is produced with the support of Melvyn Petterson of the Artichoke Printmaking Workshop who ensures a good response from the London area. The 2012 exhibition is also selected by artist and former Grimsby School of Art lecturer Alf Ludlam. Submission dates are Friday May 25 through to Monday May 28, the exhibition runs from June 9 to September 9 and full entry details can be downloaded from our website.
Top: Barry Goodman Above: Camilla Clutterbuck (from the 2010 exhibition)
EXHIBITIONS
Tony Bellars: Self-portrait with flowers Gallery One April 21 – June 3 Paul Digby Artspace April 28 – May 28 North Lincolnshire Print Open Both Galleries June 9 - September 9
Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
01652 660380
Paul Digby
P
aul Digby is a Leedsbased artist whose main themes bridge art and psychiatry. “I am particularly interested in cognitive perception and psychological dialogue between inner/outer concepts of space/time. I also use light/ dark, stimuli and response, context, conflict and contrast, and observing how the human body responds to emotions.” His hard-edged paintings often feature alienated figures in an urban landscape which prompts the viewer “to consider the difference between sympathy and empathy. The figures and environments are part of a narrative, like a story board, where the viewer is asked to make up the remaining story.” Paul is currently the Director of the Northern Arts and Science Network (http://www.northernartsandscience.com). This Arts Council supported organisation focuses on the dialogues and interface, between art and science.
A Portrait of the Artist
T
ony Bellars’ strong sense of design shows the influence of the North Norfolk coast where he lives at King’s Lynn. Before attending Norwich School of Art to study graphic design in the 1960s he spent a year working in a boatyard and his vivid colours are reminiscent of the painted canal barges from the broads or a saucy seaside postcard. This new exhibition of quirky, cartoon-like painted constructions predominantly feature women or stereotypical male myths of women to be more precise and combine many elements of Tony’s past and current interests. The simple naïve images have an echo of the Cornish artists such as Alfred Wallace but also hint back to the 1960s with references to Allen Jones, Shirley Craven and the Hull Traders and BIBA. The design influence resurfaces again with a more contemporary reference to the prints and fabric of Norfolk artist Angie Lewin.
April - June 2012
workshops
Linda Ingham
N
orth East Lincolnshire artist Linda Ingham has always used the human form as the basis of her subject matter and at her one-day workshop at The Ropewalk she will be guiding her students to work directly from the portrait model. Her primary aim is to introduce participants to a method of working in charcoal and chalks or graphite to render a likeness of the head with an impression of volume. “We will be thinking in terms of light, medium, and dark – or tonal values - when applying our media, through a series of observational exercises,” explained Linda. Those who have booked a place on Linda’s workshop will need to bring several sheets of A2 paper and some charcoal in varying thicknesses (not compressed charcoal) and an eraser or for those preferring to work in graphite, sticks in HB, 2b, & 6b – both pencil- thickness and chunky versions will be useful. She will also have a limited range of materials available for purchase at the workshop.
and Design and prior to that a diploma in European Humanities from the Open University. She has been exhibiting nationally for the last 15 years and since her MA has developed her studio practice to focus very much on materials and process, conceptually expressions of self-portraiture, and has also begun to forge a direction in curatorial and other projects.
Linda has an MA in Fine Art from the Saturday 21st April 2012 Lincoln Faculty of Art, Architecture Portraits with Linda Ingham
Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
01652 660380
Saturday workshops Regular classes Tutored Life Class with Richard Hatfield £25 / £22 10.30am – 3.30pm 29th April, 6th & 20th May, 3rd June & 1st July The Ropewalk Print Group with Tim Needham Wednesdays 1.30pm – 4.30pm. £47/42 for 5 sessions Technician Supported Print Sessions with Angela Lindsley Tuesdays 1.30pm – 4.30pm, Sunday 10.30am – 1.30pm. £8/£7 per session. Patchwork Group The Patchwork Group meet every Tuesday afternoon at The Ropewalk. Saturday Workshops 21 April Textured Silver Jewellery with Jenny Ashby 21 April Portraits with Linda Ingham 12 May Introduction to Collagraphs with Angela Lindsley 19 May Relief Printing with Charlie Downes 19 May Creative Photography with Christine Thomas 26 May Glass light catchers with Gill Hobson Full details of dates and prices can be found on www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
April- June 2012
theatre
Tim and Light
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n conjunction with ST-ART The Ropewalk present Tim and Light by Tucked in Productions.
‘Friendship is more than a painted picture, Tim. It is a gift, an adventure, a voyage!’ Tim is a lonely boy who wants to be friends with the most brilliant boys and girls in town. One day, Tim and his little cat, Light, unwittingly take a train journey to a moonlit Victorian house. In this magical world of shadows, the duo will need to discover what true friendship really means before it is too late. This brave new fairytale of hope, friendship and love follows Tim’s epic journey from boy to young man. Following the premiere at the Lyric Hammersmith in February 2011, Tim
& Light has toured the UK gaining five star reviews and critical acclaim. Tim and Light Tucked in Productions Thursday 12th April 11:30am and 2:30pm Tickets £3 children/ £4 adults Ropery Hall, The Ropewalk ctions
ed In Produ
About Tuck
is an award roductions P lented In ta d ed an ck t u T of vibran le b m se en s igner who winning tors and des ec ir d s, er eatrical perform , inspiring th le ib ss ce ac audience by create a universal r fo g s ce n ie exper of storytellin tre entive style v ea in th an al u g n is usi ppetry, v u p s te ra o that incorp music. and original
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theatre
An Evening of Pinter
An Evening of Pinter Saturday April 21 7.30pm. £8 adv/£10 otd
T
he European Arts Company which recently brought to Ropery Hall the delightful Chekhov’s Shorts, returns to Barton upon Humber with a very entertaining double-bill of Harold Pinter’s classic short, black-comedies. The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this spring and what better way to mark the occasion than revive its first ever show – a thrilling double-bill of Pinter classics with The Dumb Waiter and The Lover. European Arts Company is a national and international touring and since 2002 has gone from strength to strength, performing all over the UK, Greece and Italy with works by Oscar Wilde, John Buchan, Anton Chekhov and John Osborne, developing a reputation for producing quirky classics with great imagination and a highly physical style.
In The Dumb Waiter, two hit-men are waiting in a basement room to do a job. Strange messages keep appearing via a serving hatch. Who are they from? Why are they waiting? And who is their next victim? Comedy and menace collide seamlessly in this classic Pinter oneact play from 1960. In The Lover, Richard and Sarah have been married for 10 years. Every morning he commutes into the City to pour over balance sheets and graphs while she shows her lover the hollyhocks. Everything is not quite as it seems as fantasy and reality converge to dizzying effect. These witty dramas by the Nobel prize-winner still pack the same punch as when first written. Thrillingly powerful with an air of mystery, they will keep you on the edge of your seat. A rare and welcome treat for any theatre lover!
April- June 2012 11
film
Film Highlights
T
he forthcoming programme of films at Ropery Hall comes with a seal of approval from
this year’s Oscars.
For anyone who may have missed it, The Artist, a French drama in the style of a black-and-white silent film, scooped up a batch of awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for its star Jean Dujardin and will be screened on May 10.
families for which they work and the hardships they go through on a daily basis. Nominated in almost every category, Stephen Spielberg’s War Horse is proving to be extremely popular with audiences. Based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo and following on from a successful stage adaptation, War Horse is set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War and benefits from Spielberg’s epic production and storytelling.
The following week Meryl Streep, winner of the Oscar for Best Actress for her brilliant portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, appears in The Iron Lady, Another nominee for best actor in the role of George Smiley in Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was Gary Octavia Spencer won Best SupOldman. Filling the shoes of Alec porting Actress for her role in The Guinness who appeared in the 1979 Help which is shown on April 19. TV adaptation of the John Le Carré It is the story of an aspiring author novel, Oldman heads an outstanding during the civil rights movement cast of British actors in this cat and of the 1960s who decides to write a book detailing the African-American mouse cold war spy thriller. maid’s point of view on the white
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Opposite page: The Artist, Above: War Horse Left: Iron Lady Below: My Week with Marilyn
April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26 May 3 May 10 May 17 May 24 May 31
Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy Anonymous The Help War Horse Closer to the Edge The Artist Iron Lady Girl with the Dragon Tattoo My Week with Marilyn
April - June 2012 13
music
Live Music at Ropery Hall
Blueflint
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ith the success of their highly acclaimed debut album High Bright Morning, and their atmospheric and evocative live performances, Edinburgh’s Blueflint have built a strong reputation and following. The sound of Blueflint is defined by the sublime close harmonies of Deborah Arnott and Clare Neilson whose voices, both ethereal and warm, interweave in ballads and songs of eerie melancholy and heartfelt charm. Intertwining banjos, fiddle, doublebass and drums accompany the singers in beautifully-crafted songs that swoop easily from the
dark underbelly of folk to buoyant Americana-tinged ballads. Blueflint successfully thwart attempts at musical pigeonholing; their fresh and original sound refuses to sit squarely in any one genre, bringing an unexpected twist to the banjo sound and gaining them fans from across the musical spectrum. Blueflint are: Deborah Arnott on vocals, banjo and ukulele; Hugh Kelly (Longway) on double-bass; Clare Neilson on vocals, clawhammer banjo; Roddy Neilson (Peatbog Faeries) on fiddle and vocals. www.blueflint.org.uk Blueflint Friday 20 April 8pm ÂŁ10
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craft
B
oo Hewerdine is making what is becoming an annual appearance at Ropery Hall. This time he will be playing with Brooks Williams as State of the Union. Boo is an English songwriter and lead singer of indie legends The Bible. Williams is a slide guitar wizard from Statsboro, Georgia, USA. Tapping into a multitude of influences, from Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash to Blind Lemon Jefferson, the wide open Fenlands and the frenetic buzz of London, State Of The Union is a masterclass in songwriting, showing off the talents of bluesy Americana stalwart Brooks Williams and cult British singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine to full effect.
They came together with a plan was to record an album using vintage mics and equipment live in just 5 days. After a day and a half they realised they had finished. They found that they had a natural writing chemistry and material came in abundance. In fact plans are already afoot for a second album. State Of The Union played their first gig to a very enthusiastic crowd at 2011 Ely Folk Festival, and they played 2012 Celtic Connections. The album is being released in April 2012 on Reveal. www.stateoftheunionmusic.com State of the Union 15 April 8pm ÂŁ12
April - June 2012 15
16 Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
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April - June 2012 17
D
iary April to June 2012
A
pril
Until April 15 • Gallery One • Hall’s Barton Ropery Until April 15 • Box Gallery • Linda Miller & Denise Brown Until April 22 • Artspace • Jenny Hammerton: Order and Chance 21 April – 3 June • Gallery One • Tony Bellars 28 April – May 28 •Artspace • Paul Digby 5
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
7.30pm
£4
12
Anonymous
7.30pm
£4
15
Boo Hewerdine & Brook Williams
8pm
£12/£14
19
The Help
7.30pm
£4
20
Blueflint
8pm
£10/£12
21
An Evening of Pinter
7.30pm
£8/£10
21
Textured Silver Jewellery
Jenny Ashby
10.30 -4.30 £34/£30
21
Portraits
Linda Ingham
10.30 - 4.30 £34/£30
26
War Horse
7.30pm
£4
27 & 28
South Bank Players
7.30pm
£5/£4 conc
28
Ropewalk Open Day
10am - 5pm
Free
29
Life Drawing
Richard Hatfield
10.30 - 3.30 £25/£22
M
ay
May 5 - June 3 • Box Gallery • Carlos Versluys 3
Closer to the Edge
7.30pm
£4
4
French Night
6.30pm & 7.30pm
£15
6
Life Drawing
Richard Hatfield
10.30 - 3.30 £25/£22
10
The Artist
7.30pm
£4
12
Introduction to Collographs
Angela Lindsley
10.30 - 4.30 £34/£30
17
The Iron Lady
7.30pm
£4
18
An Audience with Mr Nice
8.15pm
£20
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01652 660380
craft
M 19
Relief Printing
Charlie Downes
10.30 - 4.30 £34/£30
19
Creative Photography
Christine Thomas
20
Life Drawing
10.30 - 4.30 £34/£30
Richard Hatfield
10.30 - 3.30 £25/£22
24
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
7.30pm
£4
26
Glass Lightcatchers
Gill Hobson
10.30 - 4.30 £34/£30
26
An Evening with Elvis
7.30pm
£8/£6conc
31
My week with Marilyn
7.30pm
£4
31
Pudding Club
7.30pm
£20
ay
J
une
Until June 3 • Box Gallery • Carlos Versluys June 9 - September 9 • Artspace & Gallery One • North Lincolnshire Print Open 3
Life Drawing
Richard Hatfield
10.30 - 3.30 £25/£22
April - June 2012 19
the ropewalk Directions
We are well signposted from the A15. Just follow the brown signs... Exit the A15 at J.3 and take the A1077 into Barton (Ferriby Road). Turn left at mini roundabout at the bottom of the hill and follow the road round to the next mini roundabout and turn left again. Follow the one-way system through Castledyke West and get in the lefthand lane. Turn left at the junction opposite the railway station, then take the first right off Waterside Road onto Maltkiln Road. For The Ropewalk Galleries turn left into Tesco’s car park where you will find us in the far left corner. There is ample free car parking adjacent to the building. For Ropery Hall, follow the road round to the Waters’ Edge park gates and then left into the car park. Please park at the end of the car park nearest Ropery Hall then walk to the first set of doors at the side of the building. For Sat Nav users please input DN18 5JR which will lead you straight to Waters’ Edge Car Park.
Ropery Hall
The Venue is a small community venue with a capacity of around 120. For small music nights seating is cabaret-style; for all other performances it is theatre-style and seating is not numbered. Please ensure that you arrive in good time if you wish to be seated together. There is a fully licenced bar at all performances. Doors open half an hour before the start of performances.
How To Book
Tickets are available: In Person at The Ropewalk. Open 7 days a week 10am - 5pm (4pm Sundays). By Telephone. Reserve your tickets for 5 days before collection or pay by credit or debit card. (An additional charge of £1 is applied) Online at www.roperyhall.co.uk
The Ropewalk•Maltkiln Road•Barton upon Humber.•North Lincolnshire•DN18 5JT t: 01652 660380•f: 01652 637495•e: info@the-ropewalk.co.uk•www.the-ropewalk.co.uk
The Ropewalk is the trading name for the Waterside Artists’ Co-operative Limited reg no 3820744