Welcome to Walsall
Stepping out of the train station I see a sign for New Art Gallery Walsall. The gallery is really close by and it is an impressive modern design. In the ground floor window looking onto the street there is a large Mark Tichner print. I really like how the work is displayed allowing new audiences to see the work. As I entered the gallery I could hear the sound of laughing children, it’s half term and it’s busy with them making rockets. The space is cleverly designed subtly guiding me through the Garman Ryan Collection progressing upwards to contemporary art. Along the way I see lots of different mini work stations for children to make stuff. I particularly liked the mirror desk were you can sit and draw your own portrait. I thought being able to make an image of the artwork from the wooden relief was another clever idea.
http://www.thenewartgallerywalsall.org.uk/
Martin Parr had an installation titled Black Country Stories a photographic exploration of the area and the people that live here. Alongside the photographs there are displayed objects made in the region. My favourite object were the beautifully made pork pies. I discovered a new artist called Zarina Bhimji who is showing a film titled Yellow Path. The film was shot in India with the soundtrack added in post production. Visually she picks out subtle details, skillfully moving the lens through the fields. I was encouraged to see Paul Winstanley’s paintings framing net curtains with ghostly landscapes piercing through. They reminded me of my Burning Blind video, I do feel the beauty of video means you can play with scale. Gathering my thoughts before I try and find my way to the Lyndon House pub for the Factory Nights meet.
Burning Blind Video:
