There is a sense of the familiar in the new series of works made by Chidera Ugada for Shoot Festival.  In his studio on an overcast evening in the middle of March, he talks enthusiastically about an obsession with the images he encounters across his hometown of Coventry.  Drawn from discarded newspapers and old magazines, […]

Michael Snodgrass’ work is deeply rooted in the practice of drawing, at a time when artists are increasingly working with new technologies, Michael’s choice of pen and paper feels radical and subversive. It was this feeling of radicality, which was really clearly articulated in his application to Shoot Festival, which particularly caught my attention. This […]

I had seen Michala’s textile work before in Craftspace’s ‘Made in the Middle’ exhibition and was enchanted by the extraordinary detail and vibrant use of colour within the works. What I didn’t realise until looking at her application for the Shoot Festival was how varied her art practice is- with large scale textile pieces, painting […]

Here’s the latest updates from our graduate artists-in-residence who have both had a busy month exhibiting at venues across the West Midlands and beyond! “Comprehending the past through a contemporary lens” by Adam Neal Attending Format Photography Festival in Derby was an eye-opening experience for multiple reasons. Exhibiting work collaboratively with FORM, attending photography conferences […]

Here are our graduate artists-in-residence latest reflections on the creative practice during their residencies with us…   “I am, yet what I am no-one cares or knows” (John Clare) by Helen Kilby-Nelson   I came across the poem, ‘I Am’ some years ago when I was going through a particularly bad period of mental health […]

Our graduate artists-in-residence Helen and Adam are well into their residency now, and it has been exciting to hear their ideas growing and developing over the past few months. Take a read as both reflect on how they have got to point where they now are with their creative practice…   The Praxis of Memoria: […]

Last year we awarded Coventry artist Lewis Spencer a one-off “Go and See Bursary” to support his development as an artist and curator. He used this to fund a trip to Portugal. In this blog post he’s summed up all that happened during his trip: Lisbon, Portugal is one of Europe’s most desired location to […]

Our graduate-in-residence Adam discusses themes surrounding nostalgia and how this has influenced his creative practice so far during his residency… “We may be ready…to accept that objects define us.” (Hudek, A. 2014) A sentiment I concur with, objects lead us more than we care to believe or even consider. There is a multitude of angels […]

Last month, artist and Artspace trustee Hannah Sutherland and artist studio holder Carol Breen launched a new, Coventry based, moving image forum called ‘We Are Luminous’.  To get involved with the group follow them on instagram (we_are_luminous) or Facebook (WeAreLuminous). Carol told us, ‘Our inspiration for the launch event came from Cai Guo Qiang’s One […]

Our graduate artists Adam and Helen reflect here on the first month of their residency and the challenges recent graduates face when they no longer have access to the support of peers and tutors.  Their honesty and openness will no doubt chime with many others.  While Adam and Helen will of course benefit from the […]