‘In the Dark’ is title of Art Space exhibition
ARTSPACE Loughborough is putting on an exhibition titled ‘In the Dark’ at Déda, Derby’s dance and performance centre, from March 13 to May 9.
Twenty-two members of the group show a variety of work in different media on the theme. Some are dramatic night scenes and others show more nuanced relationships between light and dark. A number of artists have interpreted the title in a psychological way: being ‘in the dark’ implies lack of knowledge or even secrets.
Erica Middleton has small nocturnes depicting the same river scene on successive clear winter nights. Sally Reayer also uses river imagery, this time the play of light on a river bed. Beryl Miles has an atmospheric painting, verging on abstraction, showing moonlight on the sea, and another of street light on snow.
Jemma Rix’s cyanotype prints were inspired by memories of walking through shady woodland with sunlight forcing its way through the canopy. Jonathan Palmer’s photographic prints hint at the past in present nature. Anna Michalska’s abstract work is inspired by the shapes and colours of nature.
Pam Everard’s ‘Dreamtime’ depicts the period between dusk and dawn, including dreaming. Judith Eason’s paintings are evocations from periods of significant transition in her life.
The women in Kate
Hooper’s mixed media monoprints are deliberately enigmatic and dreamlike. There seem to be secrets between the people in Mary Byrne’s film noir-inspired narratives. Alison Folland’s pieces, using materials as diverse as maps and music scores, tell stories with layers of different memories and thoughts. Mary Austin references Dylan Thomas’s ‘Under Milk Wood’ in her oil painting ‘Captain Cat Dreams’.
Ingrid Kleins-Daniels and Jacqueline Palmer are influenced by dance. Ingrid tries to capture the semi-abstract shapes and fleeting impressions of dancers’ movements onstage. Jacqueline sees dance as a link between body and spirit.
The exhibition can be viewed at Déda in Chapel Street, Derby DE1 3GU, Monday to Saturday, 9am5pm.