'respond/ reply' punctuates a continuing investigation into drawn and written material that began in 2007 as an exchange between Caroline Wright and Helen Rousseau. Their aim was to reveal some of the relationships between the disciplines that occur beyond a critique of the work and/or its processes.
Both artists use drawing as a fundamental tool in their practice whilst also employing other methods of enquiry; for Wright this encompasses live and site-specific work while Rousseau works with sculpture and installation. In 2009 poet George Szirtes and artist Phyllida Barlow were invited into the project. Further meetings between all four participants have allowed the opportunity to discuss material first hand, and spur further dialogue through postal and virtual exchange. The artists respond to the writing visually (through drawing) to prompt further written reply and so on. Two strands have emerged; one being the drawn and written works, the other, the dialogue.
The exhibition, less a culmination and more an ongoing process, explores the breadth of what ‘drawing’ can be - work on paper, poetry, animation, sound and ephemera. The artists Wright and Rousseau, will further their investigation with the occasional occupancy of the gallery space inviting the community and UCS students to take part in the exchange.
Information about a public discussion and family workshop are listed below.
Early stages of the work in progress can be seen at www.respondreply.blogspot.com Events:
Public Discussion Friday 1 October, 3pm, Gallery 1, FREE ENTRY responding/replying Open Discussion A lively discussion with the four artists/ writers who will talk about the project processes and outcomes before throwing the debate open to the audience.
Family Workshop Wednesday 27 October, 11am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm, Gallery 1, FREE ENTRY Make/ Map/ Mark, Hosted by Helen Rousseau In conjunction with the Big Draw this workshop will introduce participants to some of the processes and outcomes explored in the project respond/reply through practical exploration of imagery, text and collaborative working practices. Suitable for families with children suitable 6+ years. Booking recommended, 01473 4333691
respond/ reply is funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and Ipswich Turnstone Revenue Fund.
