Making, A Life

About

The exhibition re-appraises relationships between folk art, contemporary art, and design.

While Hodgson operates from a rural position, he has influenced and built relationships with many artists associated with Grizedale Arts and the Coniston Institute, Cumbria. This exhibition shows some of these connections through collaboratively made works with a group of younger practitioners operating within the field of contemporary art.

Hodgson grew up on a remote Lake District farm without electricity or running water. After learning leatherwork and saddlery locally, he began to make engraved glass, hand-painted tiles and ceramics, and paintings. His persistent theme remains his witty observations of the natural world, particularly the habits and characteristics of animals.

Answering most questions by making; making what he needs, making for a living, making his world interesting and engaged, Hodgson shares an impulse with many other artists. Making, A Life includes artists, makers and designers who are actively learning from one another, particularly about how they understand the value of their work, and its potential role in society. Collaborators include; An Endless Supply; Fernando Garcia Dory; Graham Taylor; Joe Hartley; Juneau Projects; Karen Guthrie; Laure Prouvost; Maria Benjamin and Tom Philipson.

For the Middlesbrough iteration of this exhibition, a newly made piece, The Middlesbrough Quilt, will be shown. The hand-made quilt has been crafted over many months by Cloth Club, a constituent group who meet to learn and share skills in textiles.

This exhibition is made in partnership with The Coniston Institute; Grizedale Arts Cumbria, and Castlefield Gallery, Manchester. Supported by Arts Council England.