Project Space
There is always more than a Wish in Lewisham
There is always more than a Wish in Lewisham | Phil Baird
From 28 June to 8 July 2024
Forty years of living and creating in Lewisham – a retrospective exhibition by award-winning artist, Phil Baird.
Brockley Phil has lived and made art in Lewisham for over four decades, the exhibition is designed as a give-back to the Lewisham community which has been his home for so long.
Phil Baird uses rare and unusual materials locally sourced, and up-cycled materials from Deptford market and local charity shops. The works are a form of visual poetry. Phil creates imaginary worlds from memory and invented content a large narrative in different expressions. The exhibition consists of various groups of work such as drawings, prints, paintings, tactile pieces, construction, assemblage, and combines the dialogue between the contrasting media form a coherent integrated and diverse whole.
In total 80 pieces of work are on show, each bridging an inner world and outer reality, offering a dialogue between the different artworks.
The show is blind and partially sighted friendly, with tactile works as a part of a workshop designed for blind artists, and touch tours of the building with audio description.
The exhibition takes place at two Lewisham venues, Lewisham Art House and Arts Network Gallery.
Key Dates:
Lewisham Arthouse 28 June – 8 July 2024 (11am-5:30pm)
Private view 28 June 6-9pm
Arts Network Gallery early July – and throughout August
by appointment 0208 752 2849
About the artist:
Phil Baird gained a Master’s degree at Reading University, Millennium Award Fellowship and holds the Queen’s Platinum Anniversary Award for voluntary service. He was also selected for the Jerwood Drawing Prize. He has exhibited widely across London, often in church premises and has been a member of Arts Network for 24 years, an ambassador for Outside In, artist agency and The Dragon Café.
For more information, visit philbaird.co.uk. or email philbaird@hotmail.co.uk.
Invasion of the Jellyfish
Invasion of the Jellyfish | Angela McMahon
From 25 May to 16 June 2024
Artist Angela McMahon creates a physical immersive installation composed of suspended and floor standing sculptures of fantastical sea creatures at Lewisham Arthouse.
By imagining the undersea world where pollution and climate change have created the ideal conditions for jellyfish to thrive, Angela McMahon’s use of collected and reclaimed materials draws on scientific research to highlight some of the key environmental issues that are changing our oceans. In this imagined world other species die out and mutant sea creatures evolved from plastic waste lurk lower down in the water column and on the seafloor.
The environmental issues highlighted by this bold work include:
•The effects of pollution from sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial effluent
•The poisoning caused by plastic waste
•Ocean warming caused by climate change
Movement and illumination bring the sculptures to life. Like a living ecosystem the installation will grow and evolve throughout the exhibition with new creatures emerging each day as the artist continues to work and engage with visitors whilst the show is open.
McMahon says: “I hope to provide an accessible route for viewers to understand how human activity impacts the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems. I am keen to encourage public
engagement and invite local schools and community groups to come and immerse themselves in the installation.”
Key Dates:
25th May – 16th June 2024 (Wednesday to Sunday 12am-6pm)
Private View: Thursday 30th May 2024 (6pm-9pm)
World Ocean Day: Saturday 8th June
Finissage: Friday 14th June (6pm-9pm)
About the artist:
Angela McMahon trained as a Geologist and Hydrogeologist (BSc, MSc, PhD) and worked for many years in the environmental sector before embarking on a foundation course at Camberwell College and studying Fine Art at Central Saint Martins. Since then McMahon has participated in group shows, open studios, community events and festivals, undertaken commissions and initiated and organised both indoor and outdoor immersive experiences and installations in the public realm. Most recently, McMahon was selected as one of the artists launching the 2022 London Borough of Culture in Lewisham.
McMahon’s work is inspired by her passion for the natural world and explores the resources and materials of human consumption and the traces and imprints they leave on the environment, often contemplating a geological time scale. Drawing on her background in geology and environmental protection McMahon’s creative practice considers how our consumption is distanced from the natural resources used, the processes and materials of making and any thought for the impacts of disposal; the dichotomy of ‘stuff’ that is both useful
and toxic, beautiful and dangerous. McMahon’s works include drawing, sculpture and installation which make use of discarded and recycled materials including plastic, cardboard,
scrap metal and waste oil. These material choices reflect specific environmental issues and are inspired by the physicality of everyday things in our throwaway society and research into their geological and anthropological lifecycles. Through this approach, McMahon aspires to create work that is aesthetic and engaging but also thought-provoking and educational.
Contact: Angela McMahon
Telephone: 07977 901147
Email: angel@angelamcmahon.co.uk
Instagram:@angelamcmahonart
Website:www.angelamcmahon.net
Proposals
The Project Space is run with the aim of providing affordable exhibition space and a platform for emerging artists, community groups and those who have been unable to find support/space through traditional gallery routes. In doing this we hope to provide a vibrant program of exhibitions for our local community, creating an opportunity for people to enjoy, discuss and engage with contemporary art in an informal and accessible setting. Alongside the program of hire shows we also facilitate larger projects and residencies that focus on our core aims of outreach and community engagement. We are always interested to hear from local artists, curators and community groups with proposals for larger projects or who are interested in forming creative partnerships with the Arthouse.
Lewisham Arthouse is committed to ensuring our Project Space is accessible for anyone to hire. We acknowledge that social barriers may influence participation in, and enjoyment of the arts. In an effort to address this in our local communities, our application process is open to everyone, regardless of age or educational background. We particularly welcome applications from non-white, Black, Asian and minority ethnicity individuals and groups.
[toggle]Image credit: photo Francesca Oldfield[/toggle]
Hire Fees – rates from May 2022 as follows:
2 weeks = £460 (Minimum booking)
3 weeks = £632.50
4 weeks = £782
Due to increased running costs and energy bills, hire fees have increased by 15% as of May 2022. This is inline with an increase in studio rent paid by Arthouse members and will be reviewed regularly.
Send your applications to:
Project Space
Lewisham Arthouse
140 Lewisham Way
London SE14 6PD