Abstract Vernacular Continuing Conversations

About

Abstract Vernacular - Continuing Conversations 

Curated by Talking Sculpture Making (TSM) and hosted by HYPHA STUDIOS

An exhibition of abstract sculpture and painting by nine multigenerational women and non-binary contemporary artists from London, the North and Ireland.

Many contemporary artists make works that are abstract, yet they do not define them as such. TSM want to reclaim the word and open up conversations about how abstract sculpture and painting speaks to many through their visual languages which, through use of material and space refers indirectly to the complex world we live in. Visual concepts of form, spatial relationships, presentation and visual independence will become apparent across the works in the show, fuelling discussions that explore and dissect the language surrounding the artists’ respective practices and how they each engage with ideas.

TSM is an exhibiting and discussion forum formed in 2019 by abstract sculptors Gillian Brent, Alexandra Harley and 

Sheila Vollmer. The group has an established exhibition profile exploring contemporary abstract sculpture, generating dialogue and supporting multigenerational women’s practices in the genre. 

In this Hypha Studios show, TSM invites three sculptors (Katrina Cowling, Charlotte Cullen and Beatrice Galletley) and, 

for the first time, three painters (Jackie Askew, Day Bowman and Ellen Ransom) to show with them.  

Each time TSM exhibits they host free public discussions about their practice, ideologies and experiences of working as 

women abstract artists, aiming to provide an inclusive environment for audiences to engage and respond to it on their terms.

The discussion for Abstract Vernacular - Continuing Conversations will be chaired by eminent curator and writer Natalie Rudd at the exhibition venue, offering an exchange of ideas around the language of abstract art and the evolving nature of women’s art practices, including the parallels between abstract painting and sculpture. 

Abstract Vernacular – Continuing Conversations

Hypha Gallery 1 Sugar House Island 1 

6 Sugar House Lane

London E15 2QS

Private View – Thursday 12th December 2024, 6-9pm

Exhibition open – 12th December 2024 – 18th January 2025, Thursday – Saturday, 12-6pm

(Closed 22nd – 29th December).

Free tour of exhibition by the artists on Sunday 15th December 2024, 2-4pm. Everyone welcome.

Free public discussion with the artists, chaired by curator and writer Natalie Rudd will take place on 

Saturday 18th January 2025, 2-5pm. Everyone welcome.

Links:  

TSM https://talking-sculpture-making.co.uk/  @talkingsculpturemaking

Gillian Brent, sculptor, TSM, RSS http://www.gillianbrent.co.uk/ @gillianbrent

Alexandra Harley, sculptor, TSM, RSS www.alexandraharley.co.uk @harleysculpture

Sheila Vollmer, sculptor, TSM, RSS https://www.sheilavollmer.com/ @sheilavollmer

Jackie Askew, painter https://jackieaskew.artweb.com/about-me @jackieaskew_painting

Day Bowman, painter https://www.daybowman.com/ @dayjbowman

Katrina Cowling, sculptor https://katrinacowling.co.uk/ @katrinacowling

Charlotte Cullen, sculptor, RSS. www.charlottecullen.com @_harlotte_ullen

Beatrice Galletley, sculptor, RSS. https://www.beatricegalletley.com/ @galletley_art

Ellen Ransom, painter https://www.ellenranson.co.uk/ @ellenranson

Natalie Rudd, curator & writer https://artuk.org/discover/profile/natalie-rudd @_natalie_rudd_

This exhibition is supported by Hypha Studios, London Borough of Newham (for public events & artist led community workshops) and York St John University.