Yesterday, I had an interesting visit to Sheffield – it was my first time there. True to form, despite how many maps I print out in advance, I still manage to get incredibly lost and subsequently run late – no pennies available for a taxi! Strange for a person who used to work with maps a lot in my work.
Firstly, I met Pippa Shaw at S1 Artpsace, who showed me around their project space, meeting area and studios. The project space/gallery is huge, with a very high ceiling, and reminded me of the incredibly large spaces in China, where space was no issue. Degree students were currently doing a residency there, with some interesting things being tried out. Before the project space, there is a meeting area, with some gorgeous parquet flooring, which they use for various events and screenings.
I was also lucky to be shown around the studios and meet several artists. I particularly liked the work of Emily Musgrave and Natalie Finnemore. The studios are very open, so that other artists can see the work in progress and it makes it easy for studio visits. The whole space had a really nice feeling to it. Also in the foyer, they have the editions they produce on display. I particularly liked the Eva Berendes and Simon Bill editions.
After, I walked to Bloc Projects to have a look at their project space and met with Rebecca Bowley who co-ordinates and curates the programme alongside Charlotte Morgan. Rebecca explained about the history of the space, and how they are hoping to move forwards and opportunities they offer. Again, it felt like a very friendly, positive space. The current show Bound I, had some interesting sculpture constructed from domestic objects from Lindsay Mendick and Sarah Pinfold.
Subsequently, I visited Site Gallery which had the show Dust on by Wu Chi-Tsung. The gallery spaces were more compact than I had imagined from what I had read and heard about the gallery.
I spent quite a bit of time walking around Sheffield, which was a lot more open and greener, than I had imagined. I looked at architecture, taking photographs of the variety of buildings from different periods. Of course, I loved the brutalist Park Hill, not so sure about the Urban Splash re-development though.
