Projects
THE ANIMAL GAZE: January to May 2009
Selected members of PVAC joined forces with the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World, Haldon Forest Park, Exeter, to host this multi-site contemporary art exhibition.
The Animal Gaze features the work of over 40 international artists, explores the complex relationship between animals and humans and celebrates the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin.
Darwin’s concept of the evolution of species through natural selection revolutionised our understanding of nature and our place within it. The city of Plymouth itself has particular relevance since Darwin’s most influential voyage of discovery, on board HMS Beagle, set sail from Devonport, Plymouth on 27 December 1831.
Curator Rosemarie McGoldrick explains: ‘The Animal Gaze is an exhibition showing how animals currently appear in Western contemporary art. The work has been selected, from a range of national and international artists, for its new approach to animals, taking into account ethics, politics and aesthetics.’
The exhibition was backed by a series of public events including walks, workshops, film screenings, a symposium and a new commission.
The Animal Gaze is a London Metropolitan University event organised and curated by Rosemarie McGoldrick.
Venues, Dates and Artists
Plymouth College of Art
Exhibition: 8 January-7 February 2009
Artists: Andrew Bracey, Roz Cran, Kate Foster, Cathryn Jiggens, Daniel Mijic, Helen Sear, Martin White, Roswitha von den Driesch and Jens-Uwe Dyffort.
Plymouth Arts Centre
Exhibition: 24 January-22 March 2009
Artists: Suky Best, Matilda Downs, Tessa Farmer, Hayden Fowler, Aurelia Mihai, Nicola Oxley, Andrea Roe, Claire Rousell, Clara S Rueprich, Helen Sear and Miranda Whall.
Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery
Exhibition: 24 January-28 March 2009
Artists: Paul Bush, Nicky Coutts, Jo Longhurst, Kate MccGwire, Rosemarie McGoldrick, Barbara Rauch and Andrea Roe.
Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World
Exhibition: 24 January-5 April 2009
Artists: Stephanie Black, Paul Bush, Jacob Cartwright, Mary Britton Clouse, Marcus Coates, Kate Foster, Kate James, Rosemarie McGoldrick and Melody Owen. Work by Rich Broomhall and Roz Mortimer will also be shown at a special film screening on 5 March.
Peninsula Arts Gallery
Exhibition: 28 March-5 May 2009
Artists: Daniel Andersson, Angela Bartram, Sarah Beddington, Dr Catherine Bell, Chloë Brown, Mircea Cantor, Jacob Cartwright and Nick Jordan, Kathy High, Kate Potter, Bryndis Snæbjörnsdóttir and Mark Wilson.
Groundwork South West
Commission: 24 January-5 May 2009
Artist: Duncan Speakman