Bob Gelsthorpe, Ifan Lewis and Tom Winfield are B I T, Cardiff’s newest artist collective. The group came together just before they graduated from Cardiff School of Art and Design last June – “Half as an act of solidarity, half as mutual support for individual and collaborative practice,” says Gelsthorpe.
In their first six months, B I T have presented two exhibitions – group show CURB at Cardiff’s Milgi warehouse; and Tunnel Vision, a two-part exhibition with ‘kids only’ and ‘adult’ sections – and have acquired an open-plan studio complex on Fox Lane, Broadway. With space for eight tenants plus a communal workshop area, plans for monthly group crits and a quarterly exhibition programme, the studios are envisioned as a shared environment for early-career artists to come together and support each other’s practices.
For Gelsthorpe, the project has already played an important part in smoothing the transition from student to professional life. “I’ve found it really difficult,” he admits. “I’m trying to juggle a few projects while maintaining a practice, which is something I’m not quite used to yet. But B I T has been liberating for me; it’s been great that there are always two people whose opinion and taste I respect.”
In the few years he’s lived in Cardiff, Gelsthorpe has seen a surge of activity in the city’s art and artist-led scenes, particularly in the last twelve months. “Cardiff was great in 2012,” he says, “very busy! g39‘s new venue is amazing, Artes Mundi has had such wonderfully interesting artists and it seems like there are artist-led projects and groups popping up left, right and centre.
“It fills you with confidence for the future of your city when this happens,” he adds. “I hope B I T Studios will become good contribution to the Cardiff art scene.”
B I T presents The Opening, 12 January 2013 from 6pm, Fox Lane, Broadway, Cardiff. facebook.com/bitstudioscardiff
More on a-n.co.uk:
It’s driven me mad – I’d recommend every artist gets involved – Christopher Stevens on a petition calling Brighton & Hove Council to protect artists’ and makers’ workspaces in the city.
Liverpool art spaces in need of relief – decisions on business rates relief due to central government cuts are threatening the future of two studio and gallery spaces in Liverpool.
Studios – a range of material about artists and the spaces they work in, including The studios toolkit, designed especially for artists thinking of setting up workspace facilities.
Cardiff School of Art & Design – Degrees unedited blog by Bob Gelsthorpe
Treading Water – Artists talking blog by Bob Gelsthorpe
