August sees the advent of the first Torquay Fringe, with exciting exhibitions being held in alternative venues across the town throughout month.
As well as showcasing contemporary art, Torquay Fringe 2008 will be including photography – at the Palace Theatre, Paignton and a Film Fringe which takes place at the Blue Walnut Café, Chelston.
And there’s even a Children’s Fringe at Torquay Central Library.
We got in touch with a mere handfull of those involved to find out a little more about them.
Ann Radu
Anne Radu is the engine behind the Torquay Fringe, and a top-notch contemporary artist to boot. Her paintings will be on display at The Pavilion, Torquay harbour, and her Vogue mannequin, made out of recycled paper and a magazine, will be shown at Angelos, The Gallery, Torquay. Both run from August 1 to 31.
Listen to Anne Radu talk about the Torquay Fringe and her work.
[audio: http://newsandmediarepublic.org/images/stories/audio/AnneRaduTorquayFringe2008.mp3]
Beth Hughes
Beth Hughes’ mixed media sculptures, which have been created with fabric and other materials, will be on display for the duration of the Fringe event at the Pavilion, Torquay Harbour from August 2 – 30.
Listen to Beth Hughes talk about her work.
[audio: http://newsandmediarepublic.org/images/stories/audio/BethHughesTorquayFringe2008.mp3]
Emma Carter
Emma Carter takes her inspiration from the ever-changing natural land and seascapes and her work is on display during the Fringe at The Blue Walnut cafe, Walnut Road, Chelston between August 15 -30.
Listen to Emma Carter talk about her work.
[audio: http://newsandmediarepublic.org/images/stories/audio/EmmaCarterTorquay Fringe2008.mp3]
Tone Holman
Jerwood Prize short-listed Tone Holman’s life-size polar bears made of recycled plastic bags will be showing at Living Coats from August 1 – 30.
Listen to Tone Holman talk about her work.
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[audio: http://newsandmediarepublic.org/images/stories/audio/ToneHolmanTorquayFringe2008.mp3]
Hollacombe Community Resource Centre
Lee Morgan shuffled along to the Hollacombe Community Resource Centre to group to watch the art group there at work and find out more about the ceramics that will be on display during the festival
If any group belongs to a Fringe art event it’s the artists at Hollacombe Community Resource Centre. Subversive, witty, challenging and cheeky, their works not only reflect flights of fancy, but also take inspiration from their time at the Hollacombe care trust.
With strong individual flavours they create both as a group – engaging in group projects – but also as individuals, following their own inspiration.
With such a vast array of styles and ideas on show it could be difficult to spot a single theme, but there’s a strong homogenity to the work. It may be aided by the inclusion of pieces that originally belonged to larger group works, or it might be the element of subversion and the use of language that is played out in the clay.
We’re always keen to promote proper and honest discussion about art, especially within the artist community – if <em>we’re</em> not chatting about it and getting excited, the how the heck can we expect others to take notice?
But with that discussion comes assessment, and the airy fairy art world isn’t so cosy anymore. And what’s refreshing about those at Hollocombe is that they not only offer support in the group dynamic, but they also engage in peer review. The group votes on which of the work should be selected for the show. It’s a kinda X-Factor with added credibility.
Hollacombe Community Resource Centre’s ceramics will be on display at Phoenix Care Services, 14 Lucius Street (off Belgrave Road), between August 1 – 14.
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