The New Art Gallery Walsall
October 2011 to January 2012
Cover Image ~Karla Black, Unused To, 2007. Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London ©the artist.
Gallery roof at sunset, The New Art Gallery Walsall.
What’s On October — January 2011 Exhibitions
- Edgar Martins: This is not a House - Structure & Material: Claire Barclay / Becky Beasley / Karla Black - There is a Place... - Zarina Bhimji: Yellow Patch - Graham Benton: St Ives to Walsall - Walsall Society of Artists - Skies - Behind Closed Doors - Robert Polidori - Martin Parr Visit our new website: thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Join the blog, Facebook us or just follow on Twitter @newartgallery
Edgar Martins is supported by:
Martin Parr is supported by:
The gallery is accredited by:
Structure & Material is supported by:
Bob and Roberta Smith & the Epstein Archive is supported by:
Zarina Bhimji is supported by:
The Writing Squad is run by:
The gallery is part of:
Harminder Judge, The Modes Of Al-Ikseer, 2010/11, Performance Installation. Photograph Benedict Johnson. Courtesy of the artist.
Artists’ Studio
Harminder Judge Artist in Residence
17 October 2011 — 28 January 2012 Birmingham-based artist Harminder Judge creates sculpture, digital work and live performances. His inspirations are vast and varied and include religious iconography and occultism, Indian culture and popular Western culture. This eclectic approach reflects the diverse nature of the gallery’s collections which he will draw inspiration from during his residency. Harminder will illuminate the dark winter months with his experimentations into creating artwork from lighting equipment and techniques used to dramatise stage shows and music gigs. Artist’s Talk and Open Studio Event Saturday 28 January, 2pm Free – all welcome
Edgar Martins, Failure to Launch, from the series 'The Rate of Convergence of Two Opposing System Trajectories, 2010. Courtesy of the artist. Edgar Martins, Untitled (Atlanta, Georgia), from the series This is not a House, 2009. Courtesy of the artist.
Edgar Martins This is not a House 30 September — 24 December 2011 Floor 3, Gallery 1 This extraordinary body of photographic work was originally instigated by a commission from The New York Times Magazine. The artist was asked to create a photo-essay that reflected on the collapse of the US housing market. Shot initially in 6 US states over a period of one month, the work focuses on 16 carefully researched locations, exposing the full extent and impact of this worldwide crisis. Martins has created a compelling series of images of neglected and abandoned houses, apartments, office buildings, golf courses and ski resorts. The subjects are effectively contemporary ruins, and the artist knowingly plays with these associations to create dramatic, poetic and theatrical compositions. This exhibition has been supported by The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation (UK branch). An accompanying publication, This is not a House, includes 65 colour photographs and essays by Sacha Craddock and Peter D Osborne. It is published by Dewi Lewis Publishing. Priced £35. ISBN: 978-1-907893-02-05
Edgar Martins, Untitled (Phoenix Arizona), from the series This is not a House, 2009. Courtesy of the artist.
In Conversation Saturday 5 November, 2pm Edgar Martins will give an informal tour of his exhibition. Book your free place in advance by calling 01922 654400
Structure & Material Claire Barclay, Becky Beasley, Karla Black An Arts Council Collection exhibition curated by Katrina Brown and Caroline Douglas 30 September — 24 December 2011 Floor 3 - Galleries 2, 3 & 4 This exhibition brings together three artists who each use an abstract, allusive vocabulary of object-making to investigate the way we create meaning through form. Their chosen media and techniques are very different, though in each case familiar materials are made unsettlingly strange. Unlikely sculptural materials such as cosmetics, sugar paper, blackboard paint and brass hinges, or traditional skills in the form of carpentry and tapestry, are co-opted by all three artists to diverse and distinctive effect. From elements that are sometimes meagre or over-familiar, new forms are created that are authentically mysterious and highly evocative. An Arts Council Collection exhibition from Southbank Centre, London.
Becky Beasley, Infirme, 2004/2006. Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London Šthe artist.
Claire Barclay, Quick Slow, 2010. Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London Šthe artist.
In Conversation Saturday 26 November, 2pm Claire Barclay and Becky Beasley will talk about the relationships between their work during an informal tour of the exhibition. Book your free place in advance by calling 01922 654400.
In Conversation Date to be confirmed Join the artist for an informal tour of his exhibition. Please reserve your free place in advance by calling 01922 654400
Karla Black, Persuader Face, 2011. Installation detail, Longside Gallery, March 2011. Arts Council Collection, Southbank Centre, London Šthe artist. Courtesy Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne.
Laura Oldfield Ford, Untitled (Leytonstone), 2010 Š The Artist. Courtesy Hales Gallery, London
There is a Place... Artists include: Christiane Baumgartner, Graham Chorlton, Laura Oldfield Ford, George Shaw, Barry Thompson 20 January — 14 April 2011 Floor 3, Galleries 2, 3 & 4 There is a Place...brings together a group of artists who explore our psychic connectivity to landscape. The drawings, paintings and prints within the exhibition reveal 'a sense of place' as seemingly generic urban and suburban views evoke personal and collective memories. The reverie of teenage hideouts, suburban housing estates and motorway junctions, each depicted in painstaking detail, are at once familiar yet unnerving for all. The artists in this exhibition capture the most overlooked and peripheral spaces of our towns and cities, those unremarkable and unclaimed spaces that we each make our own.
Zarina Bhimji Yellow Patch 20 January — 14 April 2012 Floor 3, Gallery 1 The New Art Gallery Walsall is delighted to present Zarina Bhimji’s latest film Yellow Patch which makes its world première simultaneously in Walsall and at the Whitechapel Gallery, London. The film was shot on location in Mumbai, Kutch and Gujarat. Focusing primarily on landscapes and interiors, the artist has created a poetic and evocative exploration of place. Yellow Patch demonstrates Zarina’s interest in space, her characteristic attention to detail and her remarkable and sensitive handling of light. Yellow Patch was co-produced by Outset Contemporary Art Fund, de Appel arts centre and The New Art Gallery Walsall with executive producers Artsadmin. Additional support was provided from Arts Council England, Chandaria Foundation and individual donors.
Zarina Bhimji, Breathless Love, 2007 Ilfachrome Ciba Classic Print, 1270 x 1600 mm, courtesy the artist
Behind Closed Doors 16 September 2011 — 28 January 2012
Inspired by and using Walsall’s art collections, 13 Art and Design students from Walsall College have curated and presented an exhibition about mental health.
Catherine Yass, Cell, 1999, Collection of The New Art Gallery Walsall
Behind Closed Doors explores issues around depression, inner turmoil, intense emotions, highs and lows and features photography, painting, prints and sculpture, presented through the point of view of young people today and how they deal with and experience such issues. Curated by Tristian Ayres, Alice Baugh, Bethan Edmondson, Laura Haycock, Aran Haynes Bradley, Josephine Laing, Lee Markall, Rebecca Maybury, Adam Rattigan, Lee Santomazza, Ryan Smallman, Siobhan Walker and Shardia Wiggan. In Conversation Saturday 3 December, 2pm The students / curators of the exhibition will give a talk about the ideas and reasons why they chose the artworks. Book your free place in advance by calling 01922 654400.
Make Room2
Interventions into the Garman Ryan Collection October 2011 — October 2012 This exhibition uses some of the contemporary works acquired by the gallery in recent years to make interventions within the Garman Ryan Collection’s themed rooms.
Anna Barriball, Tenth Birthday Card, 2009, Collection of The New Art Gallery Walsall
The Garman Ryan Collection On display all year round
Bob and Roberta Smith’s Epstein Archive Gallery, photograph by Peggy Zhou
The Garman Ryan Collection is a personal collection of art and artefacts given to Walsall by Sir Jacob Epstein’s widow, Kathleen Garman and her close friend, sculptor, Sally Ryan. This intimate display includes works by many famous artists including Van Gogh, Lucian Freud, Monet, Constable and Picasso. For more information about the gallery collections and Jacob Epstein, visit thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk.
Bob and Roberta Smith’s Epstein Archive Gallery After a 2-year residency with The New Art Gallery Walsall, the Archive Gallery on Floor 1 has been transformed by contemporary artists Bob and Roberta Smith. Working in collaboration with Archive Curator Neil Lebeter, they have rifled through the letters, photographs and documents held in the basement of the gallery, creating new works and short films in response to what was found. Displaying contemporary art and archives side by side, Bob and Roberta Smith’s Epstein Archive Gallery will showcase this 2-year journey into Love, Sorrow and Obsession. Sit down, relax and take in the history of an extraordinary family – all seen through the unique eyes of Bob and Roberta Smith.
Graham Benton, Wheal Dream 2009, oil on canvas. Photograph by Malcolm Brice
Floor 4 Exhibitions
Graham Benton St Ives to Walsall 7 October — 26 November 2011 As a student at Walsall Art School Graham Benton first travelled to St Ives in 1956. This was the start of a life long love for the landscapes, the sea and the artistic communities which have gathered in Cornwall for over a century. Travelling from Walsall to St Ives for inspiration at least twice a year throughout his life, most of his work takes as a starting point these vibrant and dynamic landscapes. In St Ives he makes many relatively small sketches, paintings and drawings and then, on returning to Walsall, his work becomes more abstract; a celebration of texture, colour and rhythm, distilling the experience into a highly personal essence of St Ives.
Preview
Thursday 6 October 2011, 6pm - 8pm Free. Family, friends and colleagues welcome. Meet the Artist: Wednesday 12 and 19 October, 11-2pm
Walsall Society of Artists Annual Exhibition 9 December 2011 — 14 January 2012 (The gallery will be closed between Christmas and New Year, re-opening on 3 January 2012)
Phil Brooks, 64 degrees north, Blue Lagoon, Power Station, Iceland, 2008. Collection, The New Art Gallery Walsall, courtesy of the artist
The annual exhibition by the local society. Many works are for sale. Demonstrations are held each Saturday during the exhibition.
Skies 20 January — 12 May 2012 An exhibition drawing on a range of works from our collections that look to the skies! Artists include Phil Brooks, Francis Dodd, E M Flint, Andrew Gifford, David Gunning, Howard Hodgkin, Patrick Hughes, Matt & Ross, Dawn Shorten and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Floor 1 Exhibitions
Robert Polidori 10 September — 17 December 2011 In late September 2005, the photographer Robert Polidori travelled to New Orleans to record the destruction caused by Hurricane Katrina. Arriving at night he found few remaining inhabitants amongst the devastated ruins of the city. The next day he began to think of his work as a way of mapping the lives of the absent people through their abandoned belongings.
Martin Parr Black Country Stories 20 January — 14 April 2012 Black Country Stories brings renowned Magnum photographer, Martin Parr, on a photographic journey across the Black Country. Starting in 2010 and finishing in 2014, Martin is visiting markets, temples, factories, social clubs, tea dances, dog training classes, summer fetes and many other places in Sandwell, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Dudley. Share your Black Country stories and celebrate the photographs Martin took in Walsall during 2011. A final exhibition will take place at The New Art Gallery Walsall in 2014, followed by presentations in Wolverhampton and Dudley. Black Country Stories is produced by Multistory, a community arts organisation based in West Bromwich.
Robert Polidori, 2520 Deslondes, New Orleans, March 2006. © Robert Polidori. Courtesy of Flowers, London
Martin Parr, England. Walsall. The Black Country. The Royal wedding between Kate Middleton and Prince William. Partying at The Lion Club, 2011. © Martin Parr / Magnum Photos. Commissioned by Multistory
Art Library & Archive The Writing Squad For Young Writers in Walsall 1 October, 5 November & 3 December 2011, 10.30am - 12pm
The Art Library will be hosting a new group for young people aged 8 to 12 who are interested in creative writing, poems, plays, stories or songs! The Walsall Writing Squad will be led by professional writers David Calcutt and Maeve Clarke and will include lots of fun writing activities and a chance to learn about being a writer. There is a total charge of £12 for these first 3 sessions or £5 per session if paid on the day. To reserve a place or for more information please contact Joanne Penn at Writing West Midlands on 0121 246 2770 or joanne@writingwestmidlands.org The Walsall Write On! Writing Squad is a project of Writing West Midlands writingwestmidlands.org in association with The New Art Gallery Walsall.
Artists’ Book and Independent Publishing Fair Saturday 26 November 2011, 12-4pm
Join us for our annual Artists’ Book and Independent Publishing Fair where you will be able to buy your own affordable books, zines and multiples by artists from the UK and beyond.
Letterpress printing and simple bookbinding workshop, 12-4pm
Book artist Simon Goode will be teaching traditional letterpress printing using lead and wood type, and participants will have a chance to print and bind their own artists' books. This is a free drop in workshop for adults and young people.
Talk, 3.30pm
Sarah Bodman, research fellow for Book Arts at the Centre for Fine Print Research, University of West England, will give a talk on her favourite artists’ book works.
Drop in with the family anytime, open everyday, all day.
Pop into the gallery anytime, or come to one of our organised family workshops that are drop-in, you can turn up any time between the start and the end times, and everyone of any age can join in subject to space. Stay as long as you like. DiSCO is a safe place for families to explore art together. You can touch, look, draw, play and create to help you understand the artworks on display. Dress up, design a 3d townscape or create some computer art.
Free Family Workshops
All workshop activities run 1-3pm on each date. No need to book, just drop in subject to space.
October
December
Half Term Holiday
Christmas Crackers
Tuesday 25, Wednesday 26 & Thursday 27 October
Come along and make a cardboard house inspired by the exhibition, and explore lots of different and unusual materials to make art with.
Saturday 3 December
Print your own Christmas cards and make something sparkly for the festive season.
The gallery has lift access to all floors and is buggy friendly, breastfeeding friendly and has babychange facilities on the ground floor.
Free Regular Family Events Baby Palace
Fridays: 21 Oct, 25 Nov, 16 Dec, 27 Jan Three sessions each day: 10.30-11.30am, 12-1pm, 2-3pm
Take some time to relax in the 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. Please book in advance on 01922 654 400.
Art Start
NEW
Wednesdays: 11am-12noon 5 October, Funky Feet 2 November, Alien Antics 7 December, Pet Friends
New sessions for children 1-3 years old with their carers. These are to support you and your child in getting creative. Come along to explore an artwork in the gallery and make things together. Please book in advance on 01922 654 400, limited places.
Art Cart
The Art Cart comes out every weekend and all school holidays to help you explore our collections. It has different activities and moves somewhere new in the gallery every month.
Frisky Bags
These are rucksacks stuffed full of activities to help you explore around the gallery together as a family. Ask to borrow one from reception. Great for children 6-12 year olds.
Free Adult workshops October Meet the artist
Weds 12 & 19 October 2011, 11-2pm
Drop in and meet exhibiting artist Graham Benton. See his exhibition on floor 4 and chat to Graham about how he works, see his sketchbooks and make your own sketchbook to try out a little sketching for yourself. This is Big Draw month, we’d like you to join us to do some drawing.
Drop in drawing
Saturday 15 October 2011, 1-4pm
Drop in, and dig out a pencil to sketch with. Ever tried drawing with your eyes closed, or drawing what’s behind you? Drawing is fun and everyone can do it. Pop in and have a go with artist Sharon Lovatt. October is Big Draw month and everyone is encouraged to join in.
November
Seasonal sparkles
Fri 25 & Sat 26 November 2011, 1-4pm Inspired by the artists in the Structure & Material exhibition who use unconventional materials to create their work, you too can have a go at using a variety of materials to create works with a seasonal spin! Everyone is welcome. Come alone, with friends or with the kids!
Adult Events Young, Gifted and Black! Saturday 1 October, 12pm – 4pm
A free event showcasing talented young people from Walsall’s Black communities and inspirational performers to celebrate Black History Month, including the nationally acclaimed Siyaya dance, song and drum troupe from Zimbabwe.
Diwali
Saturday 22 October, 11am – 4pm Don’t miss this year’s festival of light packed with family-friendly workshops, live music and bollywood, bhangra, dandia, Nepalese and Kerala dance performances, mendhi hand patterns, tabla and sitar players and much more!! Free, everyone welcome!
Audio Described Tour Thursday 3 November, 2pm
Apart from the Young, Gifted and Black talent show featuring the best of Walsall’s talented young people, the event will include the Black History Lounge, African market stalls and an opportunity to have your portrait added to the Wall of Fame with artist Claudette Chambers.
Join us for a free audio described talk on a selection of artworks from the Garman Ryan Collection. No need to book, just drop in!
Behind the Scenes Tour Saturday 15 October, 2pm
Join us for a fascinating tour of the gallery spaces that everyday visitors can’t see. Places are limited, to book your free place call 01922 654400. For details of artist In Conversation events please see the exhibition pages
Young People’s Day
Saturday 5 November, 11am – 4pm Take part in a fascinating 3D collage workshop inspired by the Structure & Material exhibition and create your own mini installations. Free, no need to book, just turn up!
Salaam Arts Festival Breaking Down the Wall Saturday 12 November, 11am – 4pm
Graffiti artist, Mohammed Ali, aka Aerosol Arabic, will be delivering a unique performance where the words of spoken-word artist Tshaka Campbell, Hollywood Slam Champion 2007, will be weaved together with visual art and live percussion. Mohammed will be joined by local young people, who will be offering their own interpretation to his graffiti wall. Free, no need to book, just turn up!
Ekphrasis in Walsall From Pictures to Poems
Christmas Crafts Fair
Join us for a poetry reading featuring poet Annie Freud, daughter of Lucian Freud and grand-daughter of Jacob Epstein, and the Cattistock Poetry Group reading new poems inspired by works from the Garman Ryan Collection. Annie’s collections include 'The Best Man That Ever Was', which was awarded the Glen Dimplex Prize for New Writing and 'The Mirabelles', which was shortlisted for the TS Eliot Prize 2010. Free, no need to book, just drop in!
Do some of your Xmas gift shopping at the gallery this year and buy beautiful jewellery, clocks, cards, ceramics, textiles, prints and many other crafts created by local designers and makers.
Saturday 3 December, 11am – 4pm
Design by Stereographic
Saturday 26 November, 1pm
Opening times
Tuesday – Saturday 10am-5pm Closed Mondays, Sundays and Bank Holidays Christmas Closure: 25 December 2011 – 2 January 2012 inclusive.
Shop
Find the perfect gift for you or a friend in our specialist art shop, exhibition catalogues, art books, postcards, jewellery and much more. New online shop coming soon.
Costa
Open 8.30am-5.30pm Monday - Saturday and 11am-4pm on Sundays.
Mailing List
Sign up to our free e-bulletin and receive regular Preview invitations, monthly newsletters and event information.
Facilities Hire The New Art Gallery Walsall Gallery Square, Walsall WS2 8LG 01922 654400 TexBox: 0845 1112910 thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk Twitter: @thenewartgallery
Access guides and alternative versions of all printed materials are available on request. For more information please contact Ioannis Ioannou on 01922 654404 or email ioannoui@walsall.gov.uk 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.
The gallery is available for corporate events and meetings, email us on info@thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk to book your event and make the most of our unique venue.
Talks & Tours
Bring a group and book for a guided tour of the Garman Ryan Collection, visit our website for more information.
Education
For a full schools and colleges programme visit our website or contact 01922 654400.