5 December 2019
Thumbs Up
Castlefield Gallery
24 January – 8 March 2020
Preview 23 January | 6-8pm Artists: Michael Beard, Frances Disley, Harry Meadley, and Leslie Thompson Castlefield Gallery and Venture Arts present 'Thumbs Up'. Castlefield gallery will be reimagined by the artists as a place of research and learning, conversation and exchange. The exhibition considers how different modes of display in a contemporary art gallery condition the way audiences interact with the work. Responding to the physical spaces of the gallery the artists have developed the scale, materials, and methods of their work. The artists’ responses have been shaped by an ongoing dialogue with the creative teams at Castlefield Gallery and Venture Arts to interrogate the gallery as their host. Working closely with the University of Salford has also expanded the project to incorporate expert advice on topics including; botany, energy efficiency, psychology, and horticulture. Events Thumbs Up will also include a complimentary public programme including an artist-led tour, talks and practical workshops to explore some of the themes that have inspired the exhibition. Thumbs Up marks the latest development in a partnership between Castlefield Gallery and Venture Arts. Both organisations are deeply invested in offering sustainable residency and professional development opportunities for early-career and learning-disabled artists in the North, and committed to improving inclusion and accessibility in the arts. A selection of work developed by each of the artists will enter into the permanent collection of the University of Salford Art Collection. Find out more on our exhibitions page
