Press Release!
Connect: London Katowice!British artists: Paul Abbott, Marilyn Collins, Sarah Faulkner, Kelise Franclemont, Joseph Lichy, Regan O’Callaghan, Shadi Mahsa, Alex Roberts, Jonathan Slaughter, Laura Solomons, Louise Wheeler, Adam Zoltowski.Polish artists: Mariusz Maslanka, Ewa Kozera, Magdalena Sierpinska, Karina Kaluza, Monika Mysiak, Wojtek Kazimierczak, Joanna Zdzienicka, Aga Piotrowska, Marcin Czarnopys, Agata Lezuch, Agata Szymanek, Daria Walusiak, Travel Agency Collective, Izabela Leska, Sybilla Skaluba, Anna Rakoczy, Monika Krason, Dagmara Jemioła-Hryniewicka.Curators: Oksana Smirnova, Pawel Mendrek.The Connect:LondonKatowice project’s aim is to create a discourse between the artist, the space and the audience, surveying the balance between what is outwardly-facing and what we keep to ourselves via a British-Polish exchange, collaboration and display. The experimental nature of the project is aimed to reflect the interconnection of the roles of artists and curators coming from very different backgrounds. A series of artists' partnerships (of recently graduated, MA Chelsea College of Arts, UAL alumni with current Academy of Fine Arts, Katowice art students – ASP) already carefully created by the curators witnessed the beginning of the dialogue in August–November 2016 being given the opportunity to question the foundational role of perception in understanding their own worlds and the worlds of others. This cross- student, cross-graduate and community opportunity of exchange intends to open up further outreach and education avenues, offer discourse with far-ranging age groups from the elderly to teenagers, vulnerable or over-looked groups, and re-look at local heritage, ancestry, British- Polish past relationships and our present, common European concerns via a plethora of interactions and broad creative means and results; from painting, graphics and performance to digital methods.Workshop dates: 1–8 December open to the public daily 10am–12pm & 2pm–4pmPrivate view: 8 December 6pm–8-30pmExhibition dates: 9–16 December open to the public daily 10am–6pm
Community event - Artists’ Tour with Q&A, families welcomed: 10 December 2pm–4pm, somerefreshments will be available.Address: Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall Art Centre, The Broadway, Crouch End London N8 9JJ, LondonAbout the Venue: Ply Gallery, Hornsey Town Hall Art CentrePly Gallery is housed within the iconic Grade II* listed Hornsey Town Hall, built in 1935 and the first major Modernist example of architecture in the UK. Now a successful community arts project renamed Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre and run by ANA Arts Projects Ltd, it is dedicated to creating platforms for various events and arts throughout the year as well as providing studios for a broad range of creatives. Ply Gallery is a modern contemporary art gallery committed to showcasing all genres of art within its natural light filled 200sq ft. The gallery has a dedicated projection room, sound art facilities and has previously exhibited St Martins UAL, Professor Jon Bird and acclaimed artist Sadie Lee amongst others, while also ensuring community, education and charity exhibition opportunities over 2016.Public talk: 7 December 4pmAddress: Chelsea College of Art and Design, 16 John Islip Street, London, SW1P 4JUFor further information please contact, the British-based curator, Oksana Smirnova oxana181185@gmail.comhttps://connectkatowice.wordpress.com/