Inch by IN:CH
A travelling exhibition considering change, transition and the transportation of ideas.
Inch by INCH is a travelling exhibition, spiralling round the South West and evolving on its journey, as it adapts to different venues. From shop windows to woodland glades, steam railways to parks, the aim is to engage visitors by bringing art out of the gallery and into public spaces. 11 South West artists have packed their artwork in a case from which the piece emerges for display. The cases are an integral part of the exhibition. Each contributes to the work, and each has its own character. Some are large with the work spilling beyond its frame; others are smaller, more self-contained. Some request the viewer to stand back and wonder, while others invite them to peer closer and become more intimate. Ranging in size, scope and materiality, the artworks reflect the diversity of the artists’ practices – including, painting, sound, assemblage, sculpture and light.
The tour started during Fringe Arts Bath in the garages behind Bath Artists’ Studios. As well as visitors coming specifically to see the exhibition, this location, on a cut-through to the river, is the perfect place for passers-by to spot the exhibition and find out more. A range of visitors have
dropped by, including students, holidaymakers, cyclists, walkers and families. Some joined in with the workshops. Shirley Sharp and Fiona Campbell set up shadow drawing and drawing from cases, which continue throughout the tour. Comments include: ‘thought-provoking exhibition: there is a sense of tension in many pieces, even darkness. But also optimism. A sign of our times?’. During Frome Festival 3-11 July, some pieces were up in shop windows and others in Frome Museum. This created a dual aspect to the exhibition in Frome. The work in shop windows was on show day and night, while the pieces in the museum were in parts of the building rarely open to visitors: in the spiral staircase and the basement, with access on the junction of Bridge Street and North Parade.
From 21-31 July, the cases travel to East Somerset Railway, a heritage steam railway station – part of the Strawberry line, where work will be shown in their newly restored Waiting Room, and Discovery Centre. The cases travel to East Somerset, Cranmore next, the station a perfect venue for a project about movement/transportation. A heritage Brunel steam railway, part of the Strawberry line, the steam and sounds conjure imaginings of past travel. A connection to the arts can be found via wildlife artist David Shepherd (his love of steam trains brought him to East Somerset Railway to paint them). His daughter Mandy recently opened the newly refurbished and nostalgic Museum and Waiting Room, the setting for the art in cases.
East Somerset Railway is in Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet BA4 4QP.
Open: 21 – 31 July, 11am – 5pm, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun (closing at 3pm on final day)
Events include:
Drawing from Cases: daily when open
Artists-in-Conversation: Sat 24 July, 11am – 1pm. With Fiona Campbell and Philippa Edwards
Sculpture workshop: Sat 24 July, 2 – 4pm. Book via eventbrite . £5 for materials. With Fiona
Campbell. Suitable for 8 yrs-adult
Sculpture Workshop using recycled materials: Sun 25 July, 11am – 1pm. With Fiona and Angel
Greenham. Free, drop-in, all ages
In August they pop up at Backwell Playhouse (Shadow Drawing Workshop, 7 August, 12-4pm), then Bristol Library and College Green (28 August, 11am-3pm) for a Brief Encounter.
For those who cannot visit any of the tour in person, there are a series of audio artist interviews,
and an online gallery.
For further information visit: www.inchbyinch.uk or find us on Instagram @inchbyinchuk.
Published on June 17, 2021 // Emily Lewin
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