SPARK: Artist Interventions in a Time of Crisis

About

Curated by Sophy King and John-Paul Brown.

Featuring: Artist A and Artist B, Chris Alton, John-Paul Brown, Eleanor Capstick, Nerissa Cargill Thompson, Maya Chowdhry, Helen Clare, Louise Ann Clarke, Sara Kristina Davies, Sarah Feinmann, Sarah Grant, Anthony Hall, Jackie Haynes, Tracy Hill, David Jacques, Adele Jordan, Nick Jordan, Lizzie King, Sophy King, Jane Lawson, Helena Lee, Ruth Moilliet, Rob Mullender-Ross, Mike Perry, Sam Pickett, Gwen Riley Jones, Lucy Roberts, Heather Ross, Rae Story, Steve Sutton, TEA, Debbie Yare

Spark is the first exhibition by members of the Spark Artists Network, who have been meeting since June 2022. Their monthly events have included guerilla gardening, moss walks, exploring urban and rural ecologies, tours of political sites and exhibition visits.

The exhibition aims to engender conversation and collaboration and foster the cross-pollination of ideas. The artists examine how their interventions can affect change, questioning whether art can be productive with or without overt activism. The exhibition, programme and conversations deriving from them will shape the future direction and plans of the Spark Artists Network.

There will be a programme of events alongside the exhibition:

8th December, 6-8pm, Private View with Performances from Artist A and Artist B, and Maya Chowdhry

9th December, 11-4pm Spark #18: Talks and panel Q&A by invited speakers Rebecca Chesney, Liz Postlethwaite and Debbie Yare

16th December, 4-6pm Observed Ecologies: A programme of short films exploring the interconnections between human activity and the natural environment, selected from Braziers International Film Festival by Nick Jordan

7th January 2-4pm What is the Role of the Artist at the End of Time?: Workshop led by Rae Story

13th January 10am Spark #19: Forest Bathing Walk with Niki Colclough. Part of the project 'Rituals for Tomorrow' by Jenny Steele. Followed by a Spark meeting – Where Do We Go From Here?

13th January, 2pm, Photography Talks and Networking – Climate Aware Photography Projects with Helena Lee

The Spark Artists Network is open to all. Their meetings are usually on the first Saturday of the month. You can follow them @sparkartistsnetwork on Instagram or Facebook or email sparknetworkmcr@gmail.com for more information.

*The SPARK  network was set up by Castlefield Gallery in 2022 to bring together artists wanting to intervene in the climate crisis. The gallery provides admin and promotional support for what has developed into a thriving artist-run network.