Thornquestgallery - Art News

Reyahn King - New Director of Art Galleries at National Museums Liverpool

Reyahn King has been appointed as Director of Art Galleries at National Museums Liverpool. Taking up the reins this month, she will have responsibility for the Walker Art Gallery, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.

With significant curatorial experience gained in the UK and America, Reyahn’s most recent post was Head of Interpretation and Exhibitions at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery where she was responsible for gallery displays and exhibitions. There, a successful exhibitions programme and the creation of new permanent art galleries contributed to a considerable rise in visitors.

Reyahn’s specialism is British 18th and early 19th century fine art, a particularly strong area of Liverpool’s world famous collections. She has previously held the position of Curator of Prints and Drawings at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and was a guest curator at the National Portrait Gallery, London in addition to holding positions at The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry and Boston University Art Gallery.

On starting the new role Reyahn said: “Liverpool’s art collections are cultural gems and it is exciting to be here at a time of celebration and opportunity with Liverpool’s 800th birthday this year and European Capital of Culture in 2008. I look forward to building on the success of projects like Big Art for Little Artists at the Walker Art Gallery and working with colleagues and people throughout the city so that more local people and visitors enjoy the art collections at National Museums Liverpool. ”

Curator of the hugely successful exhibition Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780): An African Man of Letters at the National Portrait Gallery in 1997, Reyahn also has a particular interest in the portrayal of black people in European art and edited Ignatius Sancho: An African Man of Letters (1728-1780), is author of the essay Ignatius Sancho and Portraits of the Black Elite and has lectured widely on the subject.

Other key exhibitions include Time and Motion at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in 2003, Varvara Shavrova: Inscriptions: Painting the Line which toured the UK and Ireland in 2001-2002, Watercolour Artists in Italy at Galleria d’Arte Moderna, Milan in 1999, and William Blake and his Circle and Anwar Shemza, both at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery in 1998 and 1997.

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk

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Call for Submissions - Mural Artists.
South Bohemia Mural Project.

The South Bohemia Gallery are looking for an artist with creative talent and talent to produce a large distinct mural for the middle room of the gallery complex.

The space measures approximately 12 feet in width by 10 feet in height. The objective of the proposed design by the artist is to capture the essence of the gallery with its multifaceted identity as a platform for an array of cultural activies, ranging from music events, poetry nights, visual arts, live art and more. A space that is a fulcrum to contemporary arts not only in the city of Liverpool, but with international interest.

To submit to this initiative for the mural paintings, please email the following information to:

- Name.
- Email.
- Mobile/telephone number.
- Website.
- Up to date Curriculum Vitae.
- Artist Statement.
- Five jpeg images of previous projects/art.
- A draft design of the proposed mural.

Cut off Date for Submissions: 10 August 2007.

Project proposed to commence early September 2007.

Jo Derbyshire
(Curator of When the City Speaks Programme and Resident Curator of South Bohemia Gallery)
Email: APRILSKIES1204@aol.com

The South Bohemia Art Gallery
196 Smithdown Road
Liverpool
Merseyside
L15 5JT
UK
Peter Worthington
(Director of South Bohemia Art Gallery)
Mobile: +44(0)7791145190

Associate exhibitions programme:
www.freewebs.com/southbag

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SITE Gallery & the Albert Dock Company Are proud to present:

The Cream Show

As Cream gears up to its 15th Anniversary the super brand have joined forces with Liverpool’s Site Gallery and Albert Dock Company to present ‘The Cream Show’. This will be very definitely more than just an exhibition, in true Cream style, the show will delight and explore the unique work of Cream Fans from around the world using sights and sounds of the super-club. An international competition has been launched to ‘Customise Cream’ In a bold move James Barton has handed over the image of Cream to anyone who wants to make it their own.

Cream CEO James Barton says: “We will be celebrating our 15th birthday this October, and what better time to allow people to get creative with our brand image than this milestone age. Over the years the logo has been designed in hundreds of different ways for the many different events that we’ve held around the world, however, this is the first time that we’ve allowed anyone other than ourselves to get creative with it, I’m really excited to see the results”

‘Cream represents such a cultural icon. Over the last fifteen years, their music, visuals, attitude and state of mind have been one of the biggest influences on popular culture in the UK and around the world. To work directly with them on putting together this show is something of a dream come true - not just because they are who they are, but because this offers us all the opportunity to make a show which truly crosses over the borders between art, design and popular culture. That’s why we’ve also opened up the show to allow Cream fans from around the world to participate in our two on-line competitions. In this way, they’ll have the opportunity to have their designs or films shown alongside the art and design works that we’ve specially commissioned for the show - as well as the exciting public events that we’ll be organising with Cream at the Albert Dock. Its going to be so much fun - and a brilliant experience for anyone who comes along.’ Said John Byrne curator of Site

Uniquely, ‘The Cream Show’ is also offering a chance for Cream fans around the world to participate in the exhibition by entering one or both of our competitions.

As the first of its kind this unique art exhibition is also open to everyone from all corners of the globe - allowing those with a passion for Cream or electronic music to have their works exhibited via one or both of our on-line competitions.

The on-line competitions

Customise Cream

Taking the Cream logo as your starting point, anyone is invited to send jpgs of their artworks and designs for this competition. Works can be fun, frivolous, critical, thought provoking or political.

The best art works and designs for the ‘Customise Cream’ show will be edited into a video which will be shown in the Liverpool Biennial Cinema at Site www.ljmu.ac.uk/site (and at this year’s Creamfields festival on 25th August). A version of the film will be available on-line.

Send e mails with your artworks/designs attached (as jpg images, 300dpi) to The Site team at sitegalleryliverpool@hotmail.co.uk
Remember to give us some details about yourself and your ideas. Feel free to include a photo of yourself if you wish. The final deadline for this project is Wednesday 15th August, but the earlier you get your artwork/designs to us the better.

‘Cream Video’.

For this competition, you have the choice of 3 tracks (from artistes appearing at this year’s Creamfields festival) these are:

The Chemical Brothers ‘Do It Again’
Groove Armada ‘Get Down’
Justice ‘Dance’

And use one of these tracks as the background for shooting, editing, mashing, scratching, dubbing (or whatever) your very own Cream Video. Participants are then required to upload their videos onto You Tube, and to send us their details (and a link to their work) at sitegalleryliverpool@hotmail.co.uk

Once again, don’t be afraid to criticize, don’t be afraid to re-generate, deteriorate or re-energise.
Entries must also be submitted by 11th August.

The Winner of this competition will win VIP tickets to this year’s Creamfields festival and may be used for a viral campaign and unleashed to the world. The best of the rest will also be made available as links on the Cream and Site Web Sites and My Spaces.

For both competitions, the best works will be selected by a panel including James Barton (Cream CEO), John Byrne (Manager and Co-curator of Site), Paul Domela (Liverpool Biennial and Co-curator of Site) and Helen Klemm (Site/Design Academy Outreach Manager).

You can view a selection of the work at the following URL :
mms://mms2.livjm.ac.uk/jbworld/cream/concreteone.wmv

The Cream Show will open to the public on Wednesday 22nd August (PV Tuesday 21st) and will run until September 23rd 2007.
It will be held at Site Gallery, Albert Dock, Liverpool (www.ljmu.ac.uk/site). Site is a collaboration between Liverpool School of Art and Design, Liverpool Biennial and the Albert Dock Company. The Cream Show is fully supported by Cream.

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Streetwaves at the Picket

Date: Saturday, August 25 2007

Venue: The Picket, 61 Jordan St, Liverpool

Time: 13.00 - 22.00

Entrance: FREE

Detail: An all-day gig at the Picket music venue, showcasing twenty up-and-coming local bands. All acts were either winners or runners-up in this year’s Streetwaves young music competition.

For more information visit: www.myspace.com/streetwaves2007

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A few JOBS AT FACT

With the appointment of new Director, Mike Stubbs, FACT enters an exciting phase in its history and prepares for Liverpool¹s 2008 Capital of Culture. To develop this modern interdisciplinary agency, operating from a state of the art building, in an international context, FACT is now looking to recruit a number of exceptional individuals to join the team.

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
£40-£45K. FULL TIME, PERMANENT

This new lead role requires an experienced individual, with drive and entrepreneurship, who will be charged with developing and securing new business and commercial enterprise, in all areas of FACT activity. They will be responsible for leading the organisation towards the achievement of its business goals and ambitions.

HEAD OF PROGRAMME
£28-£33K. FULL TIME, PERMANENT

A new senior management role responsible for the development and delivery, of a dynamic programme for FACT. Leading the programme team in the planning, co-ordination and resourcing of the exhibitions, collaborations and all associated events.

HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
£24-£28K. FULL TIME, PERMANENT

A senior management position responsible for the development of a strategic and dynamic marketing and communications strategy. Leading the communications team you will be expected to achieve the highest profile for FACT in 2008 and develop new audiences for the future.

WEB DEVELOPER
£23-£30K. FULL TIME, FIXED TERM

To be our expert on existing and emerging web and online technologies, ensuring we remain at the cutting edge of new web developments. You will play a vital role in initiating and delivering innovative, accessible and practical solutions for an exciting range of new online projects.

WEB ARCHIVE MANAGER
£14-£17K FULL TIME, FIXED TERM

Responsible for managing FACT¹s major New Media Art Archive, maintaining existing content and archiving new work. You will develop this unique resource, engaging with artists, galleries, collectors and other international archives.

Closing date for applications: Friday 17 August 2007
Interviews in Liverpool: w/c Monday 31 August 2007

We welcome applications from any individual regardless of ethnic origin, gender, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation or age. All applications will be considered on merit.

Full details on FACT website

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Review by June Rose Hobson

Red Wire Gallery
The Library Project Launch
Guest Speaker Jo Derbyshire – Artist

On Thursday 26th July 2007 I accompanied artist Jo Derbyshire to the Red Wire Gallery at the Carlisle Building in Victoria Street, Liverpool. Jo was guest speaker at the launch of ‘The Library Project’. At the start of the evening we were treated to a tour of the artists studios were we viewed many very interesting works in progress, this is definitely a very talented group.

The gathering was well attended, and the event included a book swap (bring a book, choose a book), which proved to be very popular. They had a limited edition of their ‘In Context’ Zine, including artist profile and more. No doubt this will prove to be very popular in the future. Later there were introductory talks by Nic and Nick, who showed an enthusiasm and energy to communicate which was refreshing and commendable.

Jo then spoke about her artistic influences and motivations, locally, nationally, and internationally. Also recommending some local associations such as Transvoyeur, South Bohemia, and Headspace as worth checking out in the future, with possibility of future collaboration for exhibitions. Later there was time to socialise informally, and get an insight into other artists’ motivations and aspirations.

Overall, the Library Project was all about communication, and as such was very successful. An interesting group of artists, and an enjoyable evening.

June Rose Hobson

www.myspace.com/thelibraryproject
www.redwireredwire.com

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Liverpool artwork of the day - Tuesday July 31 2007. Beaker, Ming dynasty. probably Wanli reign (1573 – 1620), c1600 Cloisonné enamel on copper at Lady Lever

After Chinese connoisseurs began to collect archaic bronze vessels in the Tang dynasty (618 – 906), it became common to copy bronze forms in other materials. The form of this vessel is not genuinely archaic but is made to appear so by the addition of four cast ribs to the sides.

The beaker is one of a pair and would originally have been accompanied by an incense burner and two candlesticks to form a temple altar set. The Buddhist decoration of scrolling lotus flowers symbolizes Enlightenment.

The cloisonné enamel technique involves soldering a pattern of wires onto a metal surface; the enclosed areas (cloisons) are filled with enamel colours which are then fired and polished to create a smooth, sparkling surface. On the base of this beaker is a Jingtai reign mark (1450 – 1456). Such markings are not an attempt to deceive, but to pay homage to what the Chinese consider to have been the classic period for this art form.

Although technical perfection was achieved in the Qing dynasty (1644 – 1911), the bolder forms and richer colours of the earlier period compare favourably with the fussier, more glittery style of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Lady Lever page

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VITAL 07 - Call for artists

VITAL 07: The Essence of Performance. 20 and 21 November 2007, Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester, United kingdom.

Submissions are invited from artists of Chinese descent working in Live Art. VITAL 07 will focus on the very essence of performance, stripping away the props and sets to leave the intimate relationship between the artist and the audience. Chinese Artists from around the world are invited to submit brief performance ideas in either written, drawn or virtual form. Submissions must be in English. Selected artists will be invited to the festival and offered a performance fee and reasonable expenses.

Deadline for submissions: 17th August 2007.

For more information and to submit a proposal, please contact Sarah Champion: ceo@chinese-arts-centre.org

20th 21st November 2007 Performance Dates, Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester, UK
22nd 23rd November 2007 Conference Dates, John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

www.vitalfestival.org

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From the Artfinder…

do you want to win the Blake’s Heaven till?

So, I’ve got a gallery full of fabulous art by one of the world’s best loved artists and what gets a substantial chunk of the attention? The toy till I’ve got sitting on the counter.

So many people have asked me if it’s for sale that I’m doing the only reasonable thing and giving it away.

I’ll be doing a draw at the end of the exhibition (after the bank holiday in August) and all you have to do to enter is sign up for the e-newsletter from the long awaited Blake’s Heaven website (it’s coming, it’s coming keep your hat on). Which you can either do by popping into the gallery at the Albert Dock and leaving me your e-mail address while you are here, or by dropping me a line to lydia@lydiabates.com with “I really want the Blake’s Heaven till” in the subject line.

I really am just giving it away, and as they say with the lottery, you have to be in it to win it.

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The current DLA Piper series at Tate Liverpool ends on August 27 2007 but it will be replaced by a fantastic selection of works from the Tate collection starting on September 29 2007 and running through to Spring 2009. Read on…

DLA Piper Series:

The Twentieth Century: How it looked & how it felt
29 September 2007 – Spring 2009

Sponsored by DLA Piper

Masterpieces from the Tate Collection, including Rodin’s The Kiss (1901-14), Degas’ Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (1880-1), Picasso’s Weeping Woman (1937) and Andy Warhol’s Marilyn Diptych (1962), will come to Liverpool, some for the first time, as part of a major rehang of the Collection at Tate Liverpool sponsored by DLA Piper. The new displays, over three floors of the gallery, have been arranged to celebrate Liverpool European Capital of Culture 2008.

A key feature of the new displays will be a special focus on the work of two celebrated British artists: Bridget Riley and Stanley Spencer, including some of their best-known works.

Tate holds the national collection of modern and contemporary art; DLA Piper Series: The Twentieth Century offers visitors to Tate Liverpool the opportunity to see more of the Tate Collection than ever before. Presenting important historic, modern and contemporary works, the displays will explore the history of the past one hundred years of art in a radical new way, by offering a parallel history of abstract and figurative art. DLA Piper Series: The Twentieth Century will include a rich variety of approaches to representational and non-representational art, highlighting key moments and developments, as well as continuities through the 20th and into the 21st century. The displays will follow a chronological framework, but will accommodate some ‘moments’ that juxtapose artists from across the history of Modern and contemporary art.

The first and second floors will be divided thematically: on the first floor a series of titled rooms will look at the various manifestations of representational art and the continuation of figuration within Modern and contemporary art, while the second floor will trace the journey towards abstraction, and examine the complexity and diversity of abstract art. This opposition, one of the most familiar and widespread of approaches to Modern art, is given a more complex reading through these displays, showing that, throughout the history of Modernism, the one responds to, or is informed by, the other.

Among the works included in the displays will be masterpieces by Whistler, Degas, Bonnard, Picasso, Matisse, Brancusi, Modigliani, Kirchner, Mondrian, Spencer, Magritte, Ernst, Moore, Pollock, Giacometti, Bacon, Warhol, Judd, Stella, Kelly, Oiticica, Boetti, Nauman, Riley, Hatoum, Whiteread and others.

Wow!

www.tate.org.uk/liverpool

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