This key exhibition by members of the Royal Society of Sculptors at Espacio Gallery takes its title from the words of Ukrainian poet Boris Khersonsky.
On the Edge asks, at a time when the world is on the edge of uncertainty, how can we respond as artists?
Since the outbreak of the War in Ukraine last February, with the energy crisis that has ensued, not to mention climate crisis that has been reshaping our landscapes for decades; the era of relative stability feels more tenuous than ever.
The artists explore this precarious edge, both abstractly via the language of sculpture, and conceptually through artworks which challenge the audience.
The Embassy of Ukraine in London is assisting the curators to transport two sculptures from Kiev, made by members of the Royal Society of Sculptors based in Ukraine. One of these pieces includes a fragment of a Russian missile.
Nicola Anthony will be debuting her new work on the edge (2023), a series of fractured glass sculptures which feature testimonials from people displaced from Ukraine. The idea of the artwork grew out of the sense of being caught between two places, experiencing disconnect and longing, but after working with the Ukrainian community members the artwork evolved into vessels which show violence, rawness and the sharp edges that contain us. The vessels contain a Cyrillic alphabet text containing Ukrainian testimonies, which is then entangled and suspended. The testimonies have been translated into English here.
For The Moment (2023), Nicola Anthony (c)
Artists: Boris Krylov MRSS, Oles Sydoruk MRSS, Farnoush Amini MRSS, Nicola Anthony MRSS, Pauline Antram MRSS, Barbara Beyer MRSS, Elspeth-Billie-Penfold MRSS, Johanna Bolton MRSS, Paul Bonomini MRSS, Julie Brixey-Williams MRSS, Denise Bryan, Tere Chad MRSS, Emma Elliott MRSS, Susie Olczak MRSS, Stephen Duncan FRSS, Cheryl Gould MRSS, Alexandra Harley MRSS, Nayoung Jeong MRSS, Sandra Lane MRSS, Briony Marshall MRSS, Claire McDermott MRSS, Mark Richards MRSS, Caroline Russell MRSS, Christy Symington MRSS, Almuth Tebbenhoff FRSS, Poppy Whatmore MRSS, Caro Williams MRSS, Emma Woffenden MRSS.
The exhibition co-curated by Tere Chad, Caroline Russell and Emma Elliott takes a quote from the Ukrainian poet Boris Khersonsky, that has inspired debate and discussion between the exhibiting artists throughout almost a year of online meetings:
‘Every hut in our beloved country is on the edge. And to be honest, I’m on the edge too. I feel sorry for the ones at the centre, but really I’m especially sorry for the ones in the camp towers, watching the frosty distance…’
Integral to this exhibition are Ukranian artists Boris Krylov and Oles Sydoruk, and Iranian artist Farnoush Amini who will be making work that will be highlighting the ongoing conflicts in their home countries. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of public events including an online lecture with the non-profit organisation Artists at Risk which provides refuge to artists fleeing from war, persecution or oppression. The exhibition is sponsored by Chilean wine company Arboleda.
Private Viewing: Thursday 16 March 2023 18:00 – 21:00
Contact: terechad@hotmail.com
Opening Hours: 14 – 18 March 11:00 – 18:00 & 19 March 10:00 – 14:00
Venue: Espacio Gallery, 159 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG (closest tube station: Bethnal Green; overground station: Shoreditch High Street; Bus: Brick Lane bus stop, take 8 or 388 from Liverpool Street Tube Station towards Shoreditch High Street).
Public Events Programme:
Online Panel Discussion: Wednesday 22 February 18:00 – 19:00. Guest Speakers: Artist at Risk Directors Ivor Stodolsky & Marita Muukkonen, Ukrainian artists Boris Krylov and Oles Sydoruk, Phil Barton Sustainability First Chair. Facilitated by Tere Chad.
Walkshop: Saturday 18 March 11 – 13hrs, art walk facilitated by Elspeth-Billie-Penfold (£10)
Plastic Mountain Workshop: Saturday 18 March 14 – 17hrs, suitable for families facilated by Briony Marshall (free)
Guided Tour 1: Friday 17 March 18 – 20hrs, facilitated by Tere Chad.
Guided Tour 2: Sunday 19 March 11 – 13hrs, facilitated by Denise Bryan.
