The short residencies aim to offer artists interested in geology, history, and the environment, the opportunity to connect with the site and research some of its interesting histories and unique properties.
The chosen Visiting Artists are as follows:
Becky Lyon is an English-Jamaican artist, based in London, working at the intersection of art and ecology. Her art takes multiple forms including tactile installations, rituals, and sensory artifacts.
Frances Scott is a London-based moving-image artist. Her work considers the narratives and histories at the periphery of cinematic production. Her projects are often made in exchange with other specialists, groups, and publics, and developed through research using online and physical archives.
Italian-born Andrea Abbatangelo is a multidisciplinary artist whose practice encompasses both studio work and social engagement activities in public spaces. They were awarded the prestigious UAL Home Postgraduate Scholarship in 2021.
Nick Slater, LU Arts Director said: “We are excited about the partnership with Charnwood Geopark, and we hope that the artists will offer some new and unique perspectives, through their research and response to the site.”
Visiting Artists are expected to spend four days researching, visiting, and responding to the Charnwood Forest Geopark. At the end of the four days, the artists are also expected to deliver a small output that is informed by their research.
Nicola Middler, Community Arts and Partnerships Manager at Charnwood Arts said: “We were delighted to receive such a variety of creative proposals in response to the Charnwood Forest Geopark mini residences opportunity.
“Charnwood Forest provides a unique and intriguing platform for research into a site of globally significant geology, as well as a landscape rich with wildlife and heritage. We very much look forward to seeing the creative responses that Andrea, Becky, and Frances produce, inspired by their research and discoveries.”
These residencies are an opportunity to start an engagement with the Geopark and will help support further funding bids to develop a larger scale commissions programme that responds to the site.