By Ogova Ondego
Published June 12, 2014
aspex, a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England, invites emerging artists, designers and makers from all over the world working in all media for its open submission exhibition.
Dubbed Craft Emergency, Aspex says they “are looking for applications from anyone who considers themselves to be an emerging artist.”
Fifteen artists will be selected for a group show which will open in October 2014. During this exhibition a winner will be chosen to receive the prize of a solo exhibition at aspex in 2016.
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This is Aspex’s second Craft Emergency. Thomas Appleton, the winner of the inaugural competition in 2013, will be having a solo show of his work in the main space at aspex in the summer of 2015.
Joanne Bushnell, Director of aspex says, “Last year, we felt we needed to run a dedicated open submission competition for contemporary craft alongside our long running Emergency series. We were delighted by the response and found a deserved winner in Thomas Appleton, and so we decided that Craft Emergency should become an annual event”.
The selectors are: Annabelle Campbell, Head of Exhibitions & Collections, Crafts Council; Dr Outi Remes, Director, New Ashgate Gallery; Sophie Woodrow, artist; and Joanne Bushnell, Director, aspex.
The Craft Emergency submission deadline is Friday, September 5, 2014, and the exhibition will run from October 10, 2014 to January 4, 2015. Application details are on the aspex.org.uk/events/craftemergency2014call website.
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Aspex, that is supported by Portsmouth City Council, says it has over the past 33 years been “supporting emerging artists and engaging audiences through the delivery of a programme of exhibitions, off-site projects and participatory opportunities.”
The gallery further says it has since 2006 been focusing on “audience development, and in particular finding ways to meaningfully engage its visitors by facilitating connections with artists and revealing the creative process.”
Admission to Aspex that operates as a charity and company limited by guarantee is FREE.
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Meanwhile, Nairobi’s Kuona Trust is from June 18, 2014 hosting Matatu Games that it says is “an ongoing project that seeks to represent street art as a significant art form that is as valuable and powerful as any other art piece.”
This exhibition by Dennis Muraguri is the second part of a public art show that was staged in the streets of Nairobi in early 2014.
Kuona, that organises and hosts what could be termed as cutting-edge art workshops and exhibitions in Nairobi, says Matatu Games focuses on touts or makanga in Kiswahili slang .
Using various media, Muraguri shall “show the unique stunts performed by these touts as well as the matatu sub culture whose influence on our society is irrefutable”.
The exhibition ends on July 2, 2014.
