The Archive: May 2012

http://forwardthinking-exhibition.blogspot.co.uk/

‘Forward Thinking’ - curated by Tim Ellis

Forward thinking brings together 16 contemporary positions by a cross-generational group of artists in response to the idea of the pioneer.

The ‘Pioneer’ conjures a romantic depiction of an individual venturing into unknown or unclaimed territory. Paving the way in adverse conditions; opening new areas of thought, research and development. The classic interpretation is consistently attached with hindsight, being given to the individual after their action has been deemed worthy or of importance. But for every success there are countless glorious failures, cast away and forgotten in the bowels of history.

Today the term ‘Pioneer’ can appear redundant, more akin to associations of colonial conquest and defunct avant-garde practices. However, its potency as a word and idea redeem its former meaning. It remains synonymous with forward thinking negating the past as a true reflection of progression and advancement. The ‘Pioneer’ continues to strive with a hopeful determination to lighten the dark corners of the earth and bring to light all its hidden wealth.

Exhibition Artists:

Barry Reigate

Benet Spencer

Blue Firth

Cedar Lewisohn

Gabriel Hartley

Jack Newling

Luey Graves

Matt Franks

Mark Pearson

Nick Goss

Paul Johnson

Patricia Ellis

Richard Kirwan

Robert Pratt

Stewart Cliff

Tim Ellis

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List Of Works

All sixteen art works are exhibited in eight museum quality display cabinets. Each curated with two works and numbered accordingly. A ninth cabinet contains two books, firstly ‘Pioneering’ by Frederic Shelford published in 1906 and secondly, ‘Correlated Courses' The Brand Ambassadors Handbook, published in 2012 by William Grant and Sons. Although separated by 106 years the books offer an insight into pioneering endeavors and the ways in which to achieve it. Together they provided the catalyst for the exhibition, necessitating its tour and neatly locating it in the environment of The Glenfiddich Distillery with its theme ‘The Spirit of the Pioneer’.

Cabinet 1