This week saw the launch of a new exhibition of contemporary art in Ryde, featuring the two Isle of Wight artists, Violet Mareck and Jo Kori.
Passing Through can be seen at Navarino House, 58 Spencer Road, Ryde PO33 3AF until 4pm on Sunday 17th September, with a free artist’s talk on Saturday (16th) between 3pm and 4pm. All are welcome to attend.
The Memory Boxes of Violet Mareck
Violet Mareck’s recent exploration in art revolves around the theme of ‘Passing Through’ – memories, the mind and other things that linger. She began pondering memories and their influence on our futures just a year ago. In 2022, she exhibited at the art_house_life’s ‘Curios’ exhibition during the Ventnor Fringe.
At this event, Violet engaged visitors by asking them to pen down their childhood memories and reflect on how these shaped their adult personalities. The outcome was a riveting blend of emotions: hesitation, confusion, elation, familiarity and deep conversation.
How do we encapsulate a fleeting memory?
Violet started with her own memories, sketching empty boxes and grids that symbolised her fragmented childhood memories. She wanted to fill those boxes and design containers to encapsulate those hidden and long-forgotten memories. She collected memories penned by exhibition-goers, which turned into a precious archive of memories, each bearing a unique significance to its author. It took Violet time to decode and represent the emotions associated with these memories.
Her current collaboration with co-exhibitor Jo Kori led to a profound conversation about ‘Navarino’ – a regency dated house, its history and the souls who had passed through its corridors. An extensive history of the building has been created by Violet’s partner, Manfred, and visitors have the unique opportunity to delve into Manfred’s account of Navarino House from his personal writing desk.
Jo Kori: Drawing the ‘imaginary past’
JJo Kori, equally entranced by the mystique of the Navarino House, responded with glee when invited by Violet. She was particularly captivated by the fleeting aura of the yellow reception room as a transient area for people to enter further within or exit the house.
After immersing herself in Manfred Mareck’s detailed history of the house, she was compelled to represent the myriad occupants that once graced its walls. Her installation consists of charcoal sketches, portraying the imagined individuals and activities of the house’s past.
Each sketch is paired with an engraving from the 1850’s poetry publication ‘The Home Affections’, with the titles of the drawings lifted directly from these poems.
In addition, Jo has peppered the room with 3D artworks amidst the furniture; gumstrip paper casts of Violet and Manfred which symbolise the current and future stories of the house.
An Invitation to Passing Through
This beautifully conceptualised exhibition, Passing Through, invites art enthusiasts to Navarino House, located at 58 Spencer Road, Ryde.
From 13th to 17th September, the doors are open from 11am to 4pm. If you’re eager to delve deeper into the artists’ minds, there’s a special artist talk scheduled for 16th September, from 3-4pm.
All are welcome to step into this space of memories, emotions and history to experience a transformative journey.
You can follow Violet Mareck and Jo Kori via their Instagram accounts.
Our thanks to Jo Kori for sponsoring for this feature. She and other businesses and organisations taking paid promotion enables you to continue reading OnTheWight for free.
