Wish You Weren't Here

About

Curator Rebecca Feiner, a longtime admirer of QBA's trademark wit, beautiful handmade sign writing aesthetic and sensibility, invited the artist duo to conjure up a 'seaside town take over' of the urban court yard of Elements Gallery London; and they responded with the ironically christened installation "Wish you Weren't Here?".

#QBA signature pale blue, clearly delineates the duo's approach to the traditional 'red, white & blue' nationalistic implications and usages of the Union flag, giving artistic licence that enables them to navigate serious societal themes from the implications of post Brexit insularity, to the duality of austerity and simultaneous gentrification, while tapping into a current widespread zeitgeist for nostalgia in uncertain times.

Over the course of the residency the social economic flux and transitional nature of many of our seaside towns will be explored and physically reflected in the artists "Wish You Weren't Here?" installation.

#QBA fictional seaside town will becomes a visual barometer that poses many questions being asked up and down the country, such as, will it survive? Will it close down? Will there be a mass exodus? Will #WYWH? get a last minute reprieve, or a re birth?

Whatever the journey and surprises the artists have in store for us, this artistic duo will bring a celebratory breath of fresh air and lightness of touch with a keen sense of gentle fun to such weighty issues.

Drawing inspiration from their own biographical sources, they will evoke all the solidarity of the once famed traditional workers Eastend Beano to seaside resorts.

For the last six months #QBA have been quietly engaging in multigenerational research, from visiting local Hospice St Josephs to the camp glam of the Posh Club, inclusively mining memories to integrate into "WISH you Weren't HERE?".

With Quiet British Accent taking up Elements Gallery London Summer Residency challenge, the summer in our urban courtyard promises a much needed, playful nod, nudge, and a wink, to the many contemporary issues of our times. But bringing people together in a playful manner through art rather than dividing them,. #QBA's sense of fun sets out to create an art space where everyone can feel welcome.

WE look forward to you joining us - over the summer. Look out for our supporting events from the multigenerational brolly/ parasol summer school to special invited authors reading memoirs of their East end childhoods and yes there may even be #TEA, #CAKE sand, sandals, music and knotted hankies.

Follow the blog of Quiet British Accent #QBA progress of an art exhibition in the making here:
https://wywhblog.wordpress.com/

For Press & further information please contact
Curator Rebecca Feiner & put Press or QBA in the subject line to :
elements@lubomirov-angus-hughes.com

#ElementsGalleryLondon #WYWH? #QBA #Hackney #EastLondon
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