Thanks to Georgia for sharing details of this brilliant exhibition. Ed
The exhibition ‘The Art of Democracy’ opened on Saturday 1st August at 2pm, where FaT Samba performed along Newport Harbour as Daniel Roberts sailed his ‘Rename TTIP – selling democracy down the river’ boat from Jubilee Stores to Quay Arts.
The boat was then lifted from the river and marched along Sea Street and into Quay Arts’ West Gallery with FaT Samba following in a procession -style fashion! Light refreshments and special announcements followed in The West Gallery by Quay Arts’ Visual Arts Manager Georgia Newman and Arts Manager Jacqui Cusack, as well as performance art by Paradox Paul.
What is The Art of Democracy?
The Art of Democracy explores ideas of democracy through material culture, popular culture and participatory arts. Works in The West Gallery and Learning Curve Gallery are aimed to celebrate, interrogate and allow visitors to participate in The Art of Democracy. The exhibition coincides with the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta, 750 years since De Montfort parliament, the 2015 UK Election, and arrives at a time where we question the art of democratic debate.
We invited a varied group of artists across the Isle of Wight to help us define and challenge ideas around the art of democracy in the gallery. They are:
Paradox Paul & Maya Malfatti Woods
John Armstrong & Ian Boyd
The New Carnival Company
Daniel Roberts
Nick Martin
What to see
Works by Paradox Paul dominate the West Gallery space in the shape of two throne installations. Rather than having defined individual practice, Paul works towards strong various projects, however humour and subversion remain a constant throughout his work.
Have your say at the polling station
The space also features documentary footage and works by artist and inventor Daniel Roberts on his quest to find a new name for TTIP. Visitors can add to this by filling out the form with their suggestions.
Quay Arts are also asking for suggestions at the polling station towards the end of the gallery – have your say and this will inform future activities in the gallery. On special days, you can make your mark on Nick Martin’s Quay Arts – The Art of Democracy Paint by Numbers on the landing outside the gallery.
The New Carnival Company present works in both the Learning Curve and West Gallery through their Magna Carta Mardi Gras costumes.
Election Poetry Slam Night
The makers of audio work, Dubious Democracies in the annexe at the end of the gallery, will also present a special Election Poetry Slam Night here in The West Gallery on Thursday 17 September – don’t miss out!
QuayHolders’ scheme
The exhibition also comes at a time where we launch our new QuayHolders’ scheme – with the aim of engaging more arts supporters on and off the Isle of Wight, to become more involved with shaping the future of Quay Arts and raising much needed funds to develop our arts programme and facilities.
As a charity, and now entirely self-financed, Quay Arts has to sustain itself through its commercial activities and the support from the Island community. The majority of our revenue is generated through our shop, café, events and creative courses. Every penny we raise is reinvested back into our programmes, exhibitions, events and facilities in order to continue providing inspirational arts activity for everyone and increase young people’s creativity and employability on the Island.
However, this leaves us with a shortfall and we are seeking support from individuals and organisations to help sustain and develop our vibrant programme of activities through our QuayHolder scheme.
For more information please visit our Website.
Thank you
We’d like to thank all artists in bringing this exhibition to life – they have all volunteered their time and energy in supporting this project, creating new works for the space.
Also, special thanks go to FaT Samba for the opening event and our incredible team of gallery volunteers – especially Charlie Howkins and Paul Wood for their time and support installing the exhibition.
Exhibition continues until Saturday 19th September /// Poetry Slam Night by Chorderize: Thursday 17th September, 7.30pm
Image: © Paradox Paul
