Wendy MacMillian - Primal 2010 and Cabinet

Wendy MacMillian is one of a couple of artists that we are showing two pieces of her work in the TRACE exhibition this week. When receiving her application for the exhibition it was evident that her work was a in-depth investigation into the trace that something leaves behind.

The above image is of the first piece entitled 'Primal 2010' - a frame filled with feathers taken from maternal nursing pillows.

The second - image below - a filling cabinet which invites audience members to rummage through it's content and explore it's findings. It represents a museum of artifacts collected.

Wendy is a London based artist and has been practicing for a number of years having had numerous exhibitions.

Delmonte - A series of collaborative paintings

With only five days until TRACE opens at Motocade/FlashParade we're going to be on a roll with writing blogs about the artists and makers exhibiting and activities taking place over the weekend.

This time we'd like to introduce you to Delmonte and a series of paintings that will be exhibited. The image above is entitled 'Canens'.

Delmonte is a collaborative partnership between two artists that use their skill to manipulate images and traces of paint that the other leaves behind. One will paint for the other to come and paint over. This is a process that they go through until each feel the painting is complete.

We're excited to be showing this unique work with the exhibition and proud to say that it will be for sale.

Claire Weetman - The Watermark Performance

TRACE opens a week tonight and we can't quite believe how quickly is has come around. We started planning for TRACE back in January of this year, and as time has passed the project has got more and more exciting with so many interesting artists and makers wanting to be involved, as well as activities we've programmed to really enhance people's engagement in the show and local community of Bedminster around where the gallery is based.

In this final lead up to the exhibition we will be posting blogs more often to generate more excitement and to give you a sneak peak at what to expect from the show.

So without further hesitation the next TRACE artist that we would like to introduce you to is performance artist Claire Weetman.

Claire has been a practicing artist for a number of years having shown work across the UK and internationally. The piece that she will performing at TRACE over the weekend is entitled 'The Watermark Performance'. Having performed the piece originally in Istanbul Claire will use the environment of her surrounds and peoples interaction with the space to mark encounters and movement that themselves will disappear with time.

The piece is a timed piece of work and will be shown once a day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The duration is unknown at present as it depends on weather conditions and how busy the space is. To ensure you encounter the work make a note of the following start times:
Friday 27th, 4pm
Saturday 28th, 2pm
Sunday 29th, 3pm

To watch the performance is completely free of charge and it will take place around the foyer of the gallery (Motorcade/FlashParade on Phillip Street, Bristol) and on the pavement outside, weather permitting.

The Cloud Machine - Katie Edwards

Katie Edwards is the next artist that will be exhibiting in TRACE that we'd like to share her work with you on our blog.

Katie is a recent graduate from UWE and this is her first exhibition since graduating. The pieces she will be showing are entitled 'Cloud Machine' and 'Nephology'.

Cloud Machine - an installation using ink and techology to create unique time-based prints.

Nephology - A series of the prints created by the Cloud Machine.

Along with some of the other work being exhibited, Nephology prints will be for sale during the exhibition.

TRACE

With only one week to go until the exhibition TRACE opens at Motorcade/FlashParade we wanted to share with you the what we have planned over the weekend to engage, excite and provide fun for the whole family when visiting the exhibition.

Opening on Thursday 26th July from 6pm until late there will be a critique of the exhibition followed by a an opening celebration with food, a bar and music.

During Friday 26th, Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th the exhibition will be open, and free to enter from 12pm until 6pm. Some of the work on display will be available to buy from a really accessible price of £10 up to £4000. Another activity that is available throughout the day during the exhibition is a TRACE Treasure hunt for families to take part in and visit the exhibition, Windmill Hill City Farm and Bedminster Library to find the objects that the clues lead to and receive prizes.

On Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th there will be a pop-up cafe provided by Minno at Motorcade/FlashParade serving yummy homemade treats, brunch, and lunch. The cafe will be open from 12 - 6pm.

On Saturday 28th from 12 - 6pm Bristol Magpies Market & I are running a craft market in the foyer of Motorcade/FlashParade with local makers, artists and vintage stall holders selling beautiful, unique gifts and crafts.

Finally, on Sunday 29th from 12 - 2pm Context will be running a family friendly drop-in workshop free to participate in and ideal for ages 1+. We'll be leading a creative shadow play session for the whole family whilst Minno offer a brunch menu for the adults to indulge in.

So, are you tempted to get involved? Why wouldn't you be! See you at TRACE.

Kevin Walker - C-Traces

We're really excited to have Kevin Walker amongst those exhibited in Trace at Motorcade/FlashParade from the 26th to the 29th July.

Kevin has recently finished a residency at Spike Island in Bristol and has worked nationally and internationally for a number of years. His practice includes a PHD in which his studies focused on the context of museum objects and the audiences' interaction with them - a perfect partnership between an artist and our organisation Context!

Unfortunately the work that we were hoping to show by Kevin will not be ready in time for the exhibition. However, we're really pleased that Kevin will be exhibiting C-Traces a series of prints of time, motion and depth studies. They hint at the liminal space between digital and physical, and the traces we leave in both worlds. The title refers to a command in the C programming language to monitor the execution of a program, as well as the physical medium the image is fixed on.

An image of the work can be seen  here.


CTrace is the only digital artwork being exhibited amongst paintings, photographs, sculptures, installations and performances.

A wealth of activities!

We're really excited as Trace keeps on taking space and we're planning one hell of a weekend full of activities during the three day exhibition.

Along with a Magpie's Handmade and Vintage Craft Market on Saturday the 28th, Minno's Pop-Up Cafe serving lunch and brunch on Saturday the 28th and Sunday the 29th, we now have an activities trail and treasure hunt and a families workshop planned as well!

Taking place throughout the whole of the exhibition, and totally free of charge to take part in (like everything else taking place during Trace) is a trail and treasure hunt around the local area of the gallery including Windmill Hill City Farm, who will be putting on special events as well to welcome in the public, and Bedminster Library, who will be opening their doors to everyone searching for hint's, traces, and suggestions of clues along the way. For those that take part and complete the activities sheet there will be rewards and special gifts provided by some of the organisations taking part.

Another free activity taking place over the weekend is a families drop-in workshop from 12pm - 2pm on Sunday 29th led by our very own project manager, Emily Bull. The workshop will provide creative activities for all ages from early years and toddlers, to parents and grandparents exploring shadow's, light and texture.

What better way to spend the weekend together as a family than getting involved in some local activity in Bristol and spending some quality time together.

All activities are inclusive and access, open to all ages and there's no need for experience .