wolverhampton art gallery Exhibitions & Events September October November 2010 Free entry
Welcome
Could there be a more appropriate show for the current economic situation than Pop Protest: Art for an Anxious Age? These are indeed challenging times for the arts faced with reduced resources and we share the anxiety of many at this time about what the future holds. Nonetheless we are able to present a wide ranging exhibition programme for the autumn. The Return of the Highland Laddie, by Morris is a favourite with many visitors and it might surprise some that the subject represents a soldier returning form the 2nd Anglo-Afghan war. Also presented are contemporary images of Afghanistan, its people, landscape and politics in an exhibition which aims to give an alternative view to the media. Showing in Afghanistan, the recent Langlands and Bell acquisitions continue the courageous policy pursued by Wolverhampton to collect works which offer a strong social commentary. Our collecting is currently supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and our Friends organisation and has allowed us to develop a collection of national distinction with modest means. I am delighted that we have been shortlisted for the Contemporary Art Society’s Centenary commission, so fingers crossed!
Our Northern Ireland collection continues to attract international attention and was recently the focus of an extensive article in the Irish Post. We worked closely with the Millennium Court Arts Centre and the Manchester Metropolitan University to develop Archiving Place & Time, an exhibition that considers how a new generation of artists from Northern Ireland have responded to the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. Last year we welcomed over 150,000 visitors to the Gallery and so far this year even more people are coming in to see what’s on offer. We trust that you and yours will enjoy the programme of exhibitions and events. Corinne Miller Head of Arts and Heritage
Cover image: Aqa Ali Shams, part of Kabul (detail) by Jenny Matthews ‘The Taliban killed my husband in 2001. He was in the military. I have four daughters and two sons. The sons work pushing carts and selling vegetables. Five months after I was widowed, my daughter who had been engaged since she was 3 months old, disappeared. She was 16. I do not know what happened to her. The family of her fiancé was furious. They demanded two daughters in her place ...there was nothing I could do. Now they are unhappy wives.'
Afghanistan 18 Sept – 20 Nov This exhibition presents a number of contemporary artists’ reflections and visual responses to the people, landscape and politics of Afghanistan. Exploring the contemporary situation, as well as attempting to provide a historical context for the current conflict, the aims of the exhibition are not to replicate the media coverage but to provide a platform for visitors to form their own responses and opinions. The exhibition will include artwork from Wolverhampton’s own collection by Simon Norfolk, Paul Seawright, and a new acquisition from Langlands and Bell alongside loans from Cornford & Cross, Jenny Matthews and Broomberg and Chanarin.
Events Photography Walkabout Sat 9 Oct 12pm – 2pm A guided photography walk around Wolverhampton City Centre to take photographs on the theme of the Afghanistan exhibition - landscape, people and politics. Former Teahouse in a Park next to Afghan Exhibition of Economic and Social Achievements in the Shah Shahid District of Kabul by Simon Norfolk, 2001, Digital C-type on Fuji Crystal Archive. Purchased through the Contemporary Art Society Special Collection Scheme with funds from the Arts Council Lottery.
Events Pop Art Painting Fri 15 Oct & Fri 22 Oct 10am – 12pm Join artist Adrian Clamp for this two-part adult painting workshop and learn how to create your own striking Pop Art paintings. Cost £15, to book call the gallery. Participants must attend both sessions. The Art of Protest Sat 23 Oct 11am – 12.30pm Discover how Pop artists have used collage to comment on society and make your own at this hands-on adult workshop.
Swingeing London 67-poster by Richard Hamilton. Courtesy Richard Hamilton.
Pop Protest: Art for an Anxious Age Until 30 Oct This exhibition compares two periods in our recent history: 1965-1975 and 2000-2010, exploring what made these years so fragile and turbulent for us. 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. Objects and ephemera highlight the political events that inspired the artists and a soundtrack of protest and war-related songs from each era accompanies the exhibition.
Under Gods: Stories from Soho Road by Liz Hingley 6 Nov – 26 Feb Photographer Liz Hingley presents a beautiful and poignant photographic portrait of the different religious communities living along the Soho Road in Handsworth, Birmingham. In this particular area over thirty buildings act as centres for different religious denominations and serve ethnic groups from all over the world. Through her research the artist found that it is religion, rather than race or culture, which now defines local communities. This thought provoking exhibition looks at issues which have both a local and a wider universal resonance.
Sikh Wedding by Liz Hingley © the artist The Council of Faiths Dinner by Liz Hingley © the artist
Archiving Place & Time: Contemporary Art Practice in Northern Ireland since the Belfast Agreement Until 4 Dec It is now just over a decade since the historic Belfast/Good Friday Agreement was signed, bringing an end to some thirty years of bitter conflict in Northern Ireland. This has brought significant changes not just for people’s everyday lives but for their awareness of the past and their hopes for the future. Photographs, installations and drawings reveal how a new generation of artists from the north have responded to this changed situation. Developed by Millennium Court Arts Centre, Craigavon, and Manchester Metropolitan University in association with Wolverhampton Art Gallery. An education pack and exhibition catalogue accompanies this exhibition.
Sleech by Rita Duffy © WAHS
Event An Afternoon with Colum Sands Sat 9 Oct 1pm – 2pm A musical afternoon with singer songwriter Colum Sands, and an opportunity to openly discuss his career and song writing. Remembering the Past 11 Nov 11.30am – 12.30pm A talk focusing on Phillip Napier’s Poppy Wreath sculpture, The Texture of Memory, and a discussion about how we remember past events.
Through the Eyes of an Apprentice: A Community Panel Exhibition Until 18 Oct Wolverhampton’s late Victorian and Edwardian history is explored through the eyes of a Sunbeam apprentice in this community panel exhibition. The exhibition explores Wolverhampton’s rich transport history and life in Victorian Wolverhampton with a focus on the Sunbeam story.
Events Wolverhampton’s Bicycle and Motor Industry Fri 17 Sept 2pm – 3pm Using objects from our collection, explore the beginnings of the Bicycle & Motor Car Industry in Wolverhampton with Jefny Ashcroft.
Wolverhampton’s Medical Heritage Fri 15 Oct 2pm – 3pm Discover the Victorian and Edwardian medical heritage of Wolverhampton in this illustrated talk with Roy Stallard.
Photograph reproduced with permission of Wolverhampton Archives & Local Studies
19th Century Chinese Kingfisher Headdress © WAHS
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. For a short period view the magnificent 19th Century Chinese Kingfisher Headdress, made of silver filigree and Kingfisher feathers with semi precious stones and pearls.
Snowy Landscape with Wreckage (installation view, detail) by David Burrows
Journey into the Contemporary Collection: David Burrows From 4 Sept Take a journey into Wolverhampton’s contemporary collection with Snowy Landscape with Wreckage (2002). In this colourful installation by award-winning artist David Burrows personal belongings lie scattered across a snowy landscape. Made from coloured polyethylene foam, the cartoon-like objects appear like fall-out debris from an accident, frozen in time. This installation is the first in a rotating series of displays showing hidden gems within our contemporary collection.
RE-animate 4 Sept - 27 Nov A series of films that embody a sense of movement, and look at non-narrative structures and objects selected in conjunction with the FLIP Animation Festival (4 – 6 Nov, Light House Wolverhampton). The films were originally chosen as part of a biennial Open exhibition held at Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, Wales.
RE-TOLLED by Sean Vicary © The artist
Hire Space Innocence 11 Sept – 9 Oct An exhibition of paintings by artist Anne Bennett, on the subject of children. Dirty Old Town memories of an industrial past 16 Oct – 13 Nov An exhibition of paintings by local artist David Barlow, reflecting the post war industrial landscapes both in the Midlands and North of England, before recession and modernisation changed the townscapes for ever. Faith Stories 20 Nov – 18 Dec Artwork produced by young people from Whitmore Reans looking at the diversity of faith groups in Wolverhampton. The young people have participated in a week long project with photographer Liz Hingley to capture images that represent their religion.
Heritage Open Days Pests, People & Pictures: Collection Store Tour Thurs 9 Sept 3pm / Sat 11 Sept 3pm A behind the scenes tour of our collections. Explore the art stores and discover how we protect our art collections from pests, light and heat. Booking required, Please call 01902 551069. We Started It Sat 11 Sept 11am, 1pm & 3pm Travel back in time with this new comic play exploring the early days of Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1877. Special football related exhibitions will be on show at The Molineux Hotel, the home of the Archives service and the Gallery.
Dirty Old Town by David Barlow © the artist
Black History Month Launch 2 October 11am – 4.30pm Black History Month 2010 promises to be an exciting array of activity. This year Wolverhampton Art Gallery will host the launch with a preview of activity happening across the city. Ask a Curator Day Wed 1 Sept 10am – 4pm An online question and answer day for our curators. Post your questions to our Facebook page, Twitter account or email to artgallery@wolverhampton.gov.uk.
Family We understand that visiting anywhere with little ones can be stressful but we’ve tried to change that by making our venue a great place to explore and have fun together. We have a range of dedicated family facilities from high chairs, a buggy park and colouring sheets to a family activity trail. Animation Day Sat 6 Nov 11am – 3pm Have a go at a range of techniques from flip books to 3-D stop animation at this back to basics animation workshop. All abilities welcome. Art 4 Kids Sat 4 Sept, Sat 2 Oct, Sat 6 Nov 11am – 1pm Get creative at our free monthly club for budding young artists. Aged 11 and under. Family Focus Sat 13 Nov 11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm Bring along your grown-ups and explore our collection in a hands-on workshop. Make your Mark at the Gallery Thur 9 Sept, 23 Sept, 14 Oct, 11 Nov, 25 Nov 10.30am - 12pm Come along to our new under 5s workshop and meet other artists in the making! £1.50, with a discount for brothers and sisters, booking required.
Artforum Artforum is the Gallery’s group for young people (14-25). Contact Jen Dooner at the Gallery or check out tinyurl.com/wagartforum to see the upcoming programme.
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 Wed 1 Sept
Ask a Curator Day
10am – 4pm
Online event
Sat 4 Sept
Art 4 Kids
11am – 1pm
Family
3pm
Adult tour
Thurs 9 Sept &
Pests, People & Pictures:
Sat 11 Sept
Collection Store Tour
Sat 11 Sept
We Started It
11am, 1pm & 3pm
Adult event
Fri 17 Sept
Wolverhampton’s Bicycle & Motor Industry
2pm – 3pm
Adult talk
Sat 2 Oct
Art 4 Kids
11am – 1pm
Family
Sat 2 Oct
Black History Month Launch
11am – 4.30pm
Adult event
Sat 9 Oct
Photography Walkabout
12pm – 2pm
Adult event
Sat 9 Oct
An Afternoon with Colum Sands
1pm – 2pm
Adult event
Fri 15 Oct
Wolverhampton’s Medical Heritage
2pm – 3pm
Adult talk
Fri 15 & 22 Oct
Pop Art Painting
10am – 12pm
Adult workshop
Sat 23 Oct
The Art of Protest
11am – 12.30pm
Adult workshop
Sat 6 Nov
Art 4 Kids
11am – 1pm
Family
Sat 6 Nov
Animation Day
11am – 3pm
Family
Thur 11 Nov
Remembering the Past
11.30am – 12.30pm Adult talk
Sat 13 Nov
Family Focus
11am – 12pm & 1pm – 2pm
Family
Venue Hire Wolverhampton Art Gallery is 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
Weddings The Rococo Room at the Molineux Hotel, now the City Archives, is licensed for weddings, capacity 70. For further information call 01902 552450.
Our Supporters Silver Casket Š WAHS
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is grateful to the following for their funding and support:
We wish to thank both The Old Bookshop and Wolverhampton Books and Collectables for the generous donation of books for the installation within the atrium area.
New works for the collection
News
Major acquisitions for our internationally renowned Northern Ireland collection featured recently in the Irish Post.
Wolverhampton Arts + Museums Service has achieved Investors in Excellence. This is a great tribute to the hard work of those who provide the infrastructure which underpins our ambitious service.
Buried by Willie Doherty The single screen installation has been purchased jointly by Wolverhampton Art Gallery and Imperial War Museum, London with the generous support of the Art Fund. Walls Belfast by Paul Seawright (2007) These photographs have been purchased from the artist as part of Collecting Cultures, funded through the Heritage Lottery Fund. We have also received a generous gift from Professor Peter Herbert of a beautiful silver casket designed and made at Wolverhampton Art School for the 1902 Art and Industrial exhibition.
This winter Wolverhampton will host a pop up shop to support the BBC’s Turn Back Time, The High Street television series and deepen knowledge and understanding of the history of our high streets. Look out for a programme of activities at arts and heritage sites as well as in the city centre.
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
Visit Us Wolverhampton Art Gallery Lichfield Street Wolverhampton WV1 1DU Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Free Entry 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.
Events are free and drop in, unless stated otherwise. To book for an event please call the gallery on 01902 552055. Visit www.wolverhamptoncity.co.uk for your ultimate guide to visiting the city.