Exhibition

Filet Space exhibition curation with Sarah Woodfine and Peter Suchin

Filet Space Exhibition – installing & de-installing participation, curatorial and hosting support

In March 2023, a group exhibition titled Forces of the Small: Project for an Artwork Compacted and Condensed took place at Filet Space, featuring students from MA Camberwell Fine Art courses, along with a few tutors and technical staff from Camberwell College of Art Camberwell. Esteemed contemporary art critic, lecturer, and artist Peter Suchin curated the exhibition, which aimed to capture “a playful microcosm of artistic production at the present time’.

The exhibition showcased small artworks, each measuring no larger than 7.5 x 10.5 x 7.5 centimetres, without any restrictions on medium, production, or ideas.

As a participant in the show, I was involved in the organisation process, attending preparatory meetings and receiving informational emails. Prior to the installation, I visited the exhibition space to familiarise myself with the surroundings and facilities, providing valuable feedback during our subsequent meetings.

Sarah Woodfine, my tutor, and the main organiser of the show collected photographs and dimensions of the works from all our colleagues, which were shared through email and file sharing. On the day of installation, our curator, Sarah, myself, and a couple of technicians examined the artworks laid out on the floor and tables to gain an overall impression. Despite a few adjustments due to some participants bringing larger pieces, the exhibition came together harmoniously, presenting an intriguing mix of artworks with interesting connections between them.

The exhibition was thoroughly documented, capturing high-quality photographs and videos of the artworks.

The opening night of the exhibition was a success.

I played a role in the hosting group for the event, and I also participated in the careful dismantling of the exhibition. All the artworks were securely wrapped and packaged for safe transportation back to the college.

I found the experience highly valuable for my future practice.

Future Exhibition

Mihai Serbanescu, The Patina of Time, 2022, Oil paint on canvas; Mihai Serbanescu with his works; Inanimate? (Exhibition view), 300 x 100 x 200cm, Household recycled objects, acrylic paint, video, sound, colour; Constricted Freedom (Exhibition view), 2023, Bronze, metal, plastic, helium, brass

Residencies

I’m in the process of organising an exhibition, scheduled for August, that explores the themes of Memory and Hauntology, an extensive dialogue has been initiated between myself and Mihai Serbanescu (photo), an established Romanian artist.

Notably, our shared upbringing within the confines of the same communist regime serves as a significant point of connection, despite divergent paths of artistic education; while he pursued artistic training within the aforementioned regime, my own artistic development took place within the context of Western culture. In light of these disparate experiences, a fundamental inquiry emerges regarding the divergent perceptions of our shared past.

Furthermore, we aim to investigate the extent to which the previous regime, with its distinct socio-political framework, and the subsequent transition to democracy have influenced our present modes of thought. Moreover, we are compelled to explore how our individual artistic mediums have been shaped by our respective environments and personal histories. Within the framework of our exhibition, particular attention will be given to the presence of hauntological references, as we endeavour to articulate and respond to the aforementioned questions and convey a profound sense of emotion.

The chosen venue for this collaborative endeavour is the History Museum in Targoviste, Romania.

I am preparing applications for the following prestigious environmental programmes that I believe will enrich my research and increase collaboration opportunities.

Founded in 2015, internationally acclaimed artist Professor Lucy Orta, UAL Chair of Art for the Environment, launched the programme in partnership with international residency programmes and UAL Post-Grad Community. 

The programmes I will focus on are:

-    AER Residency at Mahler & LeWitt Studios, Spoleto, Italy. This unique program offers artists, curators, and writers a self-directed residency experience that fosters creativity and collaboration in a vibrant cultural setting and at the conclusion of the residency, each participant has the opportunity to showcase their work-in-progress and contribute to an annual publication by Mahler & LeWitt Studios. This publication, available both online and in print, serves as a testament to the collective creativity and accomplishments of the residents throughout the year.

The residency provides an inspiring space for participants to explore new artistic approaches through dialogue with their peers while also prioritizing the individual's need for personal reflection and growth. Participants are encouraged to engage with the local community and take part in the studio's active programming. With access to ceramics facilities and a wide range of production tools, residents have the resources necessary to bring their artistic visions to life.

-    AER Residency at Domaine de Boisbuchet, France. This residency combines cutting-edge architecture and design with the picturesque surroundings of a 19th century French country estate, creating a one-of-a-kind space for people from diverse cultures to come together and collaborate.

Boisbuchet's immersive workshop programs not only embrace cultures that value heritage but also focus on constructing a sustainable future, encouraging research that fosters a harmonious connection between nature and human creations.

Workshop

Images of re-made objects in plaster, bronze, plastic, painted

In my future endeavours, I aim to expand upon the concept of workshops, which I will initially explore and present at the Research Festival. These workshops represent an integral component of my prospective professional practice, aimed at actively involving audiences in the processes of recycling, upcycling, and the circular reuse of materials.

The title I intent to use for future workshops could be: Repurpose and Reinvent: Transforming Objects with Meaning

The Repurpose and Reinvent: Transforming Objects with Meaning workshop will aim to encourage participants to repurpose small objects they no longer need or use and transform them into new, meaningful creations. By collaboratively exploring the personal significance of these objects and employing various artistic techniques such as painting, remodelling, casting, and paper/magazine glue, participants will reimagine and give new life to these items.

The workshop aims will be to foster creative thinking and encourage participants to explore alternative uses for everyday objects, to promote environmental consciousness by encouraging recycling and repurposing, to provide a platform for self-expression and storytelling through art and cultivate a sense of community and collaboration through shared experiences.