Flock exhibition, curated by Louise K Wilson, was first shown at Spacex Gallery, Exeter from 1 March to 26 April, 2003. It subsequently toured to Towner Art Gallery in Eastbourne from 17 May to 29 June, 2003. The latter exhibition was a 'pick of the week' in the Guardian Guide (May 31, 2003).
Flock explored the often paradoxical and contradictory relationship between humans and birds. More specifically it examined representations that expose notions of utility, superstition, fear, sexuality, romanticisation and sentimentality in our relationship with wild birds.
Flock investigated a wide range of approaches to the use of bird imagery from works that investigate the nature of ornithological obsession to those in which the metaphor of a particular bird species has been adopted to highlight specific political and social concerns.
Incorporating video, photography, installation, sound, animation and artists books, the selected artworks employed strategies of wit and irony to prompt a response, addressing our assumptions and attitudes towards conservation and the control and taming of the natural/ ornithological world.
Artists:
Jyll Bradley
Marcus Coates
Andrew Dodds
John Drever & Tony Whitehead
Jussi Heikkila
Rona Lee
Rachel Lowe
Harriet McDougall
Quack-project
Sophy Rickett
Katy Shepherd
Hans Waanders
Flock on Film: An accompanying screening programme for Commotion organised in collaboration with Picture This Moving Image, Bristol. Flock on Film took place on Wednesday 9 April, 2003 at the Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol. Artists included: Marcus Coates, Dalziel + Scullion, Stuart Gurden, David Hinton, Rona Lee, Harriet McDougall and Andrew Stones. This programme explores the often complex and paradoxical relationship between humans and birds. In these works liberating and restricted flight become emblematic for the state of being human. The bird is seen and used in multiple ways as symbol, portent, or natural history subject. It was followed by a conversation between the curator and the artist Rona Lee. The screening coincided with the exhibition Flock, at Spacex Gallery, Exeter (1 March to 26 April).
Front image by Jyll Bradley, Girl Watching, 2003 |
