New visual arts exhibition celebrates the rich and untold diversity of Sussex
Constructing Geographies – a new visual arts exhibition featuring seven acclaimed local artists – will tour Sussex this winter and spring. It will show at ONCA Gallery, Hastings Art Forum and Colonnade House Worthing, starting from 6 February 2019.
The exhibition originally previewed to audiences at DC1 Gallery, Eastbourne, 7 November – 23 November 2018.
Locals and visitors alike are invited to uncover the true diversity of Sussex by exploring the artists’ new work, made in response to the area’s diverse heritage and population.
Artists Maria Amidu, Akila Richards, Amanda Jobson, Judith Ricketts, Josef Cabey and exhibition curator Amy Zamarripa Solis will exhibit work across a variety of mediums including painting, photography, mixed media collage, glasswork, textiles, video and installation.
The broad theme of the exhibition has allowed each artist to approach it differently, working to explore the rich cultural heritage of the area and draw out stories from a range of communities.
“The artists’ work reflects on emotive issues around Black identity, migration and heritage, and visitors may be surprised to find themselves relating to the works and understanding a different perspective, about what it means to be Black or BAME in Britain and the US.” – Amy Zamarripa Solis – Artist & Curator
Exhibitions will be accompanied by a public programme of artist talks, workshops and interventions, plus film, music, food and spoken word.
All visitors are warmly welcomed – check gallery websites for all dates and times.
All exhibitions and their related public programmes are supported by Arts Council England Project Grants and Devonshire West Big Local.
A range of artist images are available on request.
CONTACT
For enquiries, images and interview requests contact Rowena Price:
T: 07725 196251
NOTES TO EDITORS
Exhibition schedule
February 2019
ONCA Gallery, Brighton 6 – 17 February
For full details of activities visit: www.onca.org.uk
April 2019
Hastings Art Forum, Hastings 2 – 14 April 2019
For full details of activities visit: www.hastingsartsforum.co.uk
April – May 2019
Colonnade House, Worthing 16 Apr – 6 May 2019
For full details of activities visit: www.colonnadehouse.co.uk
ABOUT THE PROJECT
About Diverse Sussex
Diverse Sussex is a multi art form platform that aims to champion a shared sense of heritage, diversity & multiculturalism around the Black and ethnic minority (BME or BAME) experience in East and West Sussex including Brighton.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Alika Richards is a published and award-winning writer, poet and spoken word artist. She performs and reads in a range of settings including internationally. Her recent work appeared in digital animation and text on clothes for a collective exhibition. Akila also runs workshops for young people and adults for performance poetry on stage. She has recently written a play from her short story ‘Secret Chamber’ that was performed on 26 October at the Purple Playhouse Theatre. Her intention is to develop it into a full production for touring. Akila works professionally in the creative and community sector.
www.akilarichards.com
Amanda Jobson is a visual artist using photography and video, concerned with the environment, history and humanity of people and place. The methodologies she applies are based upon thematic research the physicality of the landscape and cultural histories. She is a recipient of the National Open Art Award 2016 Treasured Memories exploring collected family ephemera and memories and a recipient of The Devonshire Collective Artist Residency: 2017 – 2018 exploring the Beachy Head Woman.
www.amandajobson.wordpress.com
Amy Zamarripa Solis is a producer, writer and artist. She was born in Austin, Texas in 1975. Her latest projects include No Place Like Home, an exploration into childhood home and its loss, starting with her own Mexican-American community in Austin Texas. It has been supported by Artist International Development Fund (Arts Council England and British Council) and Arts Council England’s Grants for the Arts. Her writing has been published in several anthologies and she has produced several independent films including DIY feature “Only Stopping”. amysolis.wordpress.com
Josef Cabey was born in London moving to Brighton in 2003. He originally studied Graphic Design at Central St Martins (BA Hons) before going on to complete an MA in Information studies at University of Brighton. He now maintains a visual arts practice that often incorporates themes such as race, sexuality and his longtime obsession with underground New York club culture and music. Josef is also a part time librarian in the college of Arts & Humanities at University of Brighton and also continues a freelance graphic design and illustration practice. http://www.josefcabeyart.com
Judith Ricketts is an artist using photography, moving image and code in a creative practice informed by a critical engagement with the Brighton. She views the city as series of patterns and interdependencies, arranged between the spaces of historic narrative, spatial appearances and the body. Commissions include: Southdown Housing, Photoworks, The Royal Pavilion & Museums, National Citizens Service, News and Community Organisations. Exhibited: Phoenix Brighton, Brighton Photo Biennial, Brighton Photo Fringe, Fashion Cities Africa, Dorset Place Gallery, Onca Gallery.
Maria Amidu is a visual artist who is interested in the social relationships between people mediated by things, usually objects and places. She is a graduate of the Royal College of Art in glass and ceramics, and exhibited nationally and internationally as maker before pursuing a social practice. She has developed site-specific and artist’s residency projects with a number of museums, galleries and organisations, including the Houses of Parliament, National Maritime Museum Greenwich, V&A Museum and Turner Contemporary.
Rikki Tarascas is a Fine Artist, Director, Performer and commissioned writer who has worked across the visual and performing arts including film and theatre. He was recently Artist in Residence at The Devonshire Collective.
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Posted on January 29, 2019
Categories: Press Releases
Tags: Akila Richards, Amanda Jobson, Amy Zamarripa Solis, Josef Cabey, Judith Ricketts, Maria Amidu