Over the past few weeks, I have been spending some time visiting spaces in places outside of Manchester. As part of my move up to London, I wanted to take advantage of the closer proximity to the other cities up north. I am afraid with being ensconced in teaching, and then trying to produce as much as I could in the remainder of my time when I wasn’t teaching, didn’t leave much time for reflection or directed investigation into where I would like to move my practice, and spaces I might hope to show in the future.
I have been doing quite a bit travelling first off to Liverpool, then Blackpool, visiting the Grundy, but sadly could not arrange to see Supercollider. After that, I visited Birmingham where I was really impressed by presentation of project spaces/galleries/studios in the Digbeth area. I visited Eastside Projects, Grand Union and A3 Project Space, and it was really interesting to hear stories of their development, each in quite a different way. I also managed to meet some artists in their studios which I always enjoy, hearing about different practices and modes of functioning as an artist. During my time in Birmingham, where I stayed with an old Duncan of Jordanstone friend, I also visited Mac and Ikon. The public spaces were quite different, Mac seemed to have a more family focused approach, and there was an interesting exhibition ‘Walk On’ that included work by artists encountering walking in their work. I particularly liked the animation by Julian Opie.
Last week, I took a trip to Leeds and Halifax, where I visited the artist Hondartza Fraga at East Street Arts (Patrick Studios), and The Tetley for the first time. East Street Arts is incredibly professional, I had never seen an artist’s studio of such high spec, with such level of organisation. I would be afraid to make it dirty! They also have a stunning project space on the upper floor.
After a lunchtime visit to an artist in Halifax, I visited The Tetley in Leeds for the first time. I have to say I was totally seduced by the myriad of rooms in the architecturally powerful building. They have done a fantastic job with it. There was also an interesting residency project by Lisa Watts and Samara Scott, and I got a quick pre-preview of the Ben Cain and met the new artist in residence Rob Kennedy.
In the studio, I have been working on ideas for a sculpture at The Barnaby Festival, as part of the ‘Industry’ show, and also a tiled piece for a show at Neo-artists in Bolton. I have also produced two new book editions, and been working on some other maquettes for sculptures using print and wood.
