Collecting a Kaleidoscope, artsdepot
Collecting a Kaleidoscope: A Crafts Council touring exhibition at artsdepot, London, 8 May to 21 June 2009.
Collecting a Kaleidoscope is an exhibition of 19 objects from the Crafts Council Collection selected by Ralph Turner, renowned curator, writer and former Head of Exhibitions at the Crafts Council from 1979-1989. Ralph Turner’s love of craft started during a childhood in a Welsh coal-mining town where hand-making was a necessary part of everyday life. He believes craft offers a timely antidote to our current global culture. Through his very personal selection from a public collection we are offered an insight to the diverse and unique nature of contemporary craft and the breadth and depth of an exceptional public collection.
The Crafts Council Collection was started in 1971 and has since grown to become one of the leading collections of contemporary craft in the UK. The objects in Collecting a Kaleidoscope range across disciplines and include ephemeral pieces of jewellery by Naomi Filmer that melt upon the wearer, Bruno Romanelli’s serene spectral glass portrait and Alison Britton’s solid vessel Gob. The pure, quiet lines of Shin Azumi’s bench and Elizabeth Callinicos’ methodical and intriguing Group of Objects contrast with the raw energy of Simon Carroll’s anarchic thrown pot and further accentuate the vibrancy and range of this selection.
The exhibition includes work by Shin Azumi, Michael Anastassiades, Alison Britton, Elizabeth Callinicos, Simon Carroll, Tessa Clegg, Naomi Filmer, Shelley Goldsmith, El Ultimo Grito, Chun Liao, Jim Partridge, Nicholas Rena, Bruno Romanelli, Martin Smith, Rupert Spira, Julian Stair and Audrey Walker.
The current Crafts Council programme of touring exhibitions includes three exhibitions drawn from or inspired by the Crafts Council Collection; Collecting a Kaleidoscope, Deviants and Object as Muse, and two presented with partner organisations; Out of the Ordinary with the V&A and WOOD with Studio TEN.
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For press information and images please contact Jill Read, Press Officer, Crafts Council, T: 020 7806 2549 or E: media@craftscouncil.org.uk
Associated events
The Crafts Council Collection Uncorked
Thursday 4 June 7pm, viewing from 6.30pm
Enjoy a glass of wine and listen to Crafts Council Exhibitions Officer, Charlotte Dew, as she talks about the history of the diverse public collection of the Crafts Council and the selection of objects in Collecting a Kaleidoscope.
Tickets £8 in advance, £10 on the day. Includes a glass of wine.
Notes to Editors
• artsdepot is a multi-art form venue located in North Finchley. The centre includes 2 theatres, together with an art gallery, café, bars, and education studios all in a contemporary setting. The Apthorp Gallery is located on Level Two next to the café and entry to exhibitions is free to visitors.
• Collecting a Kaleidoscope was conceived by Ralph Turner in conjunction with the Glynn Vivian Gallery, Swansea, in June 2007
• There will be a filmed interview with Ralph by multimedia artists Light Surgeons as part of the exhibition.
• The innovative exhibition design by Amos Marchant uses PU rubber and recycled flooring materials and can be adjusted to fit any exhibition space.
• Collecting a Kaleidoscope is now available for hire. Please contact Charlotte Dew, Exhibitions Project Officer, Crafts Council, c_dew@craftscouncil.org.uk or tel: 020 7806 2515
• The Crafts Council is the national development agency for contemporary crafts. It aims to position the UK as the best place in the world for making, seeing and collecting contemporary craft.
• For further information about the Crafts Council visit www.craftscouncil.org.uk
• The Crafts Council is supported by Arts Council England. Arts Council England works to get great art to everyone by championing, developing and investing in artistic experiences that enrich people’s lives. As the national development agency for the arts, it supports a range of artistic activities from theatre to music, literature to dance, photography to digital art, and carnival to crafts. Between 2008 and 2011, Arts Council England will invest £1.3 billion of public money from government and a further £0.3 billion from the National Lottery to create these experiences for as many people as possible across the country.
Visitor Information
Free admission
artsdepot
5 Nether Street
Tally Ho Corner
North Finchley
London
N12 0GA
Tel: 020 8369 5454
Email: info@artsdepot.co.uk
W: www.artsdepot.co.uk
Opening times:
Daily 12pm – 4pm (6pm – 8pm on selected performance evenings)
