Georgia shares details of some of the upcoming events at Quay Arts in Newport. They sound fascinating. Ed
Commemorating the centenary of the WWI, ‘Impressions of War’ brings together a startling collection of works created in the gallery by Island artists working with children from Young Carers IW, as well as loaned photographs by Zoë Barker, paper sculptures by Joanna Kori, a life-sized replica of a WWI Tank by Shademakers, a collaborative book by QuayCrafts art group, collections of WWI objects and community artworks from Ryde Arts Festival.
The exhibition coincides with the Centenary of the First World War, which started in 2014 with commemorations of the outbreak of the war, continuing until 2018 across the world.
Students’ response to WWI objects
As a catalyst, Estelle Baker of IW Council Heritage Services provided a pop-up display of WWI objects to students at Medina College earlier in the year. This resulted in a tapestry installation made in collaboration with artist Ian Whitmore and Nigel George from the public art group, Eccleston George.
This pop-up display will be shown to young people from the Island’s Young Carers group, providing source inspiration to make new works in the West Gallery with Ian and Nigel as well as guest artists.
Visitors can see this pop-up display for a special WWI Remembrance ‘Show & Tell’ event on Fri 11 Nov with Estelle Baker. Visitors are also welcome to bring some of their own objects from WWI and join in the Show & Tell.
Mixed-media response to ‘The War Budget’
The Young Carers group will also explore a fascinating collection of political magazines from WWI ‘The War Budget’ to create mixed-media installations in the gallery.
These magazines were issued weekly and depicted life on the battlefields of WWI and the home front. The magazines contain photographs, adverts, illustrations, texts, music scores and was used a source of communication to everyone effected by the war.
Variety night
The War Budget magazine will be brought to life with performances by actors and musicians recreating the music, spoken word and imagery contained in the magazine for a very special variety night on Thu 24 Nov.
Many other activies
There are lots of other ways to get involved and make the most out of Impressions of War this season. All activities are FREE:
- Draw Joe Dore – an ongoing drawing activity in the Clayden Gallery till Thu 10th Nov. Draw from your imagination a portrait of Island WWI solider Joe Dore – no photograph has yet been found of Joe.
- Saturday Afternoon Cinema Screenings in the Anthony Minghella Theatre (all films start at 2.30pm):
- 22nd Oct – Paths of Glory
- 29th Oct – La Grande Illusion
- 5th Nov – Shoulder Arms
- 12th Nov – Hell’s Angels
- 19th Nov – The Road to Glory
- 26th Nov – All Quiet on the Western Front.
- One hour Creatives – Thu 3rd Nov from 8pm. A monthly creative session in the gallery to make a piece of work under an hour inspired by the exhibition theme.
- Drink & Draw – Thu 10th Nov from 8pm. A monthly social event, drinking and drawing in the gallery.
Quay Arts would like to thank everyone involved in the Impressions of War project and contributing artists – Ian Whitmore, Nigel George, Estelle Baker, Dan Roberts, Zoë Barker, QuayCrafts, Joanna Kori, Shademakers, Matthew Chambers, Carol Jaye, Lisa Traxler and all the performers for the Impressions of War variety night.
Image: © Zoe Barker
