When our way of life is ‘On the Edge’ – what can art bring? I have a forthcoming exhibition On the Edge 2 in Oxford from the 17th – 28th July with the private view on Friday 19th July.
Last year I was involved in a really powerful exhibition On The Edge 1.0 at Espacio Gallery, featuring work by members of the Royal Society of Sculptors. My fellow artists initially connected via Zoom during the pandemic. The exhibition idea arose from discussions about how to respond to global uncertainties like the Ukraine war and climate change.
Thanks to all those who came to that. However, this question remains relevant today, with climate change still a major threat and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and Iran. Among the group are two Ukrainian sculptors, Borys Krylov and Oles Sydoruk, who continue their work in Kiev. Artist and poet Stephen Duncan recently visited them, experiencing life in Kiev firsthand.
On the Edge 2
The OVADA exhibition, co-curated by Denise Bryan and Tere Chad, quotes Ukrainian poet Boris Khersonsky: “Every hut in our beloved country is on the edge. And to be honest, I’m on the edge too. I feel sorry for the ones at the centre, but really I’m especially sorry for the ones in the camp towers, watching the frosty distance…”
Rather than a reprise, the group aims for a continuation. Stephen Duncan’s trip to Ukraine highlighted the importance of art there, inspiring the group to contribute a positive, impactful voice from the edge.
Anthropocene Alternate Futures
This time I will be exhibiting an exciting artwork that will change over the course of the exhibition. We are on the edge between two possible futures. Will both the people of our world and the systems we have created be up to the challenge of changing enough to avoid catastrophic climate and environmental disasters? Can we cohabit fairly with all the earth’s inhabitants? In this work, earth’s geological layers cohabit with man’s plastic litter in fragile edifices, each destined for a different fate.
I can’t wait to share it with you.
More details about the exhibition are below.
On the Edge 2
Ovada Gallery
PV:
Friday 19th July 2024 18:00 – 21:00
OPENING HOURS:
17th – 28th July 2024 12:00 – 18:00; 28th July 10:00 – 13:00
VENUE:
Ovada, The Warehouse, 14a Osney Lane, Oxford OX1 1NJ
ARTISTS exhibiting in On the Edge 2:
Boris Krylov MRSS, Oles Sydoruk MRSS, Farnoush Amini MRSS, Pauline Antram MRSS, Ronn Beattie MRSS, Barbara Beyer MRSS, Paul Bonomini MRSS, Lise Bouissiere MRSS, Julie Brixey-Williams MRSS, Denise Bryan MRSS, Ros Burgin MRSS, Tere Chad MRSS, Ali Darke MRSS, Sally de Courcy MRSS, Elizabeth Degenszejn MRSS, Stephen Duncan FRSS, Emma Elliott MRSS, Anne Guillespie MRSS, Cheryl Gould MRSS, Kate Hammersley MRSS, Alexandra Harley MRSS, Ben Joiner MRSS, Steve Johnson FRSS, Amale Freiha Khlat MRSS, Julia Ellen Lancaster MRSS, Sandra Lane MRSS, Briony Marshall MRSS, Melissa Murray MRSS, Susie Olczak MRSS, Elspeth Penfold MRSS, Desa Philippi MRSS, Mark Richards, FRSS, Caroline Russell MRSS, Livia Spinolo MRSS, Lisa Snook MRSS, Christy Symington MRSS, Almuth Tebbenhoff FRSS, Paul Tecklenberg MRSS, Jill Townsley MRSS, Teresa Wells MRSS, Poppy Whatmore MRSS, Caro Williams MRSS, Emma Woffenden MRSS.
