25 November 2011
Wakefield artists, Angie de Courcy Bower and Lisa V Robinson launched ‘Sites in Sight: Art for the Quiet Times’, a new initiative by The Art House. The initiative seeks to animate vacant spaces across the Wakefield district, with the first opening took place in The Ridings Shopping Centre on Thursday 15 September 2011, 5pm-7pm.
‘Sites in Sight: Art for the Quiet Times’ is a new initiative for Wakefield that seeks to celebrate local and regional talent, promote the excellent work being delivered by Wakefield district’s arts organisations and to provide opportunity for emerging artists from beyond Yorkshire. ‘Sites in Sight: Art for the Quiet Times’ will utilise empty spaces across the district, breathing new life into both commercial and residential areas.
Visitors to the Gallery observe Angie De Courcy-Bowers paintings
Wakefield’s growing reputation as a centre for contemporary visual arts, through its connections to Yorkshire Sculpture Park and The Hepworth Wakefield, makes this a timely initiative. This first project is supported by The Ridings Shopping Centre, who has provided the space to The Art House. Centre Manager Barbara Winston says:
“We’re really looking forward to the opening of Art for the Quiet Times. Our partnership with The Art House helps us to add theatre to the mall and make great use of one of our units. We hope that our shoppers will take time out to enjoy the work of local artists.”
Wakefield artists Angie de Courcy Bower and Lisa Robinson were selected by The Art House and Artist-Curator Victoria Lucas to launch the initiative. Both artists take inspiration from their surrounding environment through the medium of paint, whilst approaching their subject matter in very unique ways. Established as part of the vibrant art scene, both artists represent the talent and creativity that Wakefield encompasses.
Angie de Courcy Bower is an award winning artist, who studied Fine Art in Brighton and Leeds. She has exhibited both nationally and internationally. When explaining her practice, Angie says:
“Fascinated by the complexities of the human condition, I strive to give form to my ideas and feelings about life and our connection to the world. From hints of archetypal and mythic messages, as well as contemporary culture, I examine the nature of consciousness: identity, freedom, learning and love to loss, suffering and mortality.”
Lisa V Robinson is an emerging artist, who studied Fine Art at Manchester Metropolitan University. Since graduating she has proceeded to win the 2009 Joan Day Painting Bursary, which provided support for her first solo exhibition at the South Square Gallery in Bradford. Lisa's expressive work celebrates painting itself as an essentially physical and sensual process. A variety of sources influence her paintings, from music to graffiti, organic forms to shop front windows.
Lisa V Robinson
Chief Executive at The Art House Anne Cunningham says:
“The Art House is keen to support artists that want to work in Wakefield. This programme is an exciting opportunity for artists to give back to their communities and provide moments of enjoyment and reflection. We are pleased to have attracted such a variety and calibre of artists to the programme with 40 artists submitting for this first space.”
The exhibition will also open from 5pm-7pm during the next Artwalk on Wednesday 28 September, and will remain in-situ until the November Artwalk. Opening times during the course of the exhibition will be displayed in store. Alternatively contact Elinor Unwin (Project Manager – Artists in Wakefield) at The Art House on 01924 312003 or elinor@the-arthouse.org.uk.
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