Constructed Geographies, a new visual arts exhibition featuring seven acclaimed local artists, tours Sussex this spring. The exhibition celebrates the rich and untold diversity of Sussex.
The artists’ new work is made in response to the area’s diverse heritage and population. Artists Maria Amidu, Amanda Jobson, Judith Ricketts, Josef Cabey and exhibition curator Amy Zamarripa Solis will be featured in the exhibit, alongside Inscribe-supported writer and artist Akila Richards. The work spans a variety of mediums, including painting, photography, mixed media collage, glasswork, textiles, video and installation.
Akila's work 'Migration's Gift' experiments with printed text and poems on clothes. It responds to the separation of families and their hidden stories, such as ‘Aunty and Granny’ caring for children left in the Caribbean, while their parents forged new lives in England, America and Canada. It highlights voices and experiences of the ‘Barrel Children’, with all the joy, estrangement, yearning and countless barrels sent to support the children and families back home.
Akila says, '"Migration’s Gift" is the legacy of sacrifices and blessings of un/belonging, the loves gained and lost, the invisible borders and close bonds that grew because or despite of the distance, the yearning and forever searching home. This work is dedicated to the Aunties and Grannies who held families together beyond oceans, borders and the intangible.'
The exhibition will be accompanied by a public programme of artist talks, workshops and interventions, plus film, music, food and spoken word. 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.
Exhibition schedule
Hastings Art Forum, Hastings
2 - 14 April 2019
For full details of activities, visit hastingsartsforum.co.uk.
Colonnade House, Worthing
16 Apr - 6 May 2019
For full details of activities, visit colonnadehouse.co.uk.
