What’s UP – a celebration of urban art
Four local street artists will be bringing their art indoors at an exciting new exhibition at Southampton Solent University’s Showcase Gallery this May.
The What’s UP exhibition is designed to challenge some of the limitations associated with working in a gallery setting, and will feature an eclectic mix of new installations.
Each artist works in and around Southampton’s urban and public spaces, where their canvas is often rough or uneven walls, signs, posters or doors.
Outside art or street art is an ancient art form rooted in protest, free speech and freedom of expression. It directly expresses the views of society.
Kate Maple, Curator of Solent Showcase, says: “It will be interesting to see how these street artists interpret the brief. “They are used to working in all weathers and with fewer restrictions, so it should be a challenging experience with some thought-provoking pieces on display.”
Ryan Kai’s installation will use paintings and sculpture to create a sense of environment. He will explore man’s relationship to the world around him by incorporating elements of the surreal or magical as visual metaphors.
A sound sculpture by Duncan Newland will feature recorded examples of everyday sounds, constructed from a range of reclaimed materials, decorated with visual stimuli we are all subjected to in our everyday lives.
The work of stencil artist Stu Rodda, is detailed and carefully crafted. He will create ‘Stencils on the windows of the gallery, lit from within, will produce images visible from inside and outside the gallery, during both day and night.’
Inspired by a local street-runner who filmed himself climbing a 250ft crane and dangling one-handed from the top, Joe Ross will create drawings and look at how everyday activities can become just as epic as climbing that crane.
The exhibition will run from 17 May – 21 June 2014 (with a preview on 16 May, at 6-8pm), at Solent Showcase, Sir James Matthews Building, Above Bar, Southampton, SO14 7NN
The gallery space is open Monday-Friday, 11am to 6pm.
For access please use the city centre car parks. Admission is free.
Community work will also be displayed in the foyer as part of the exhibition, and a street art gathering is also planned in the Guildhall on 24 May 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8031 9642 or email press.office@solent.ac.uk
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 23,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The university was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2013 poll of students. It has been awarded ‘Gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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