Temporary Art Space opening / Temporary Art Show
Francis Elliott will be showing One Measure as a part of this event
Friday 6th March 2009, 5-8pm
Units 34-35, The Piece Hall, Halifax, HX1 1RE, UK | +44 (0)7597 395 045
info@temporaryartspace.co.uk | www.temporaryartspace.co.uk
On Friday 6th March 2009 a new contemporary art gallery opens at the Piece Hall in Halifax. Occupying two units on the top floor, the Temporary Art Space is exactly that, with the project due to run until August. The space will be run by a group of local artists who organised a successful “temporary” show at Bates Mill in Huddersfield last year.
The artists had the idea of finding another location that offered them a chance to expand their programme of events and include more artists and encourage the local community to be involved. They were able to secure a vacant space at the Piece Hall with the help and support of the local authority.
The five artists directing the project are Halifax resident Alice Bradshaw, Bob Milner and Tom Senior who work together as “Milk, Two Sugars” and are based in Wakefield and Huddersfield couple Kevin and Georgia Boniface. They share a common ethos that artists should be more active in shaping their local arts community, rather than bemoaning a lack of funding. “It is too easy to blame other bodies and the state of the economy for what is essentially a lack of drive and ambition,” said Co-Director Bob Milner. “We all have very normal jobs and bills to pay. In a project like this, commitment and energy are more important than money.”
Working together to pool resources and with an enterprising spirit that attempts to find most things they need for free, the group believes that it is possible to run a contemporary gallery with a diverse programme of events for next to nothing and still attract exciting and relevant artists to show their work. Co-Director Alice Bradshaw commented: “We have been really pleased with the response from artists, some from quite far away. It seems that not only do they see an opportunity to have their work seen at a great venue but they support what we are doing and how we are trying to achieve it.”
The exhibitions begin with the first opening on Friday 6th March with “Temporary Art Show” featuring the work of fifteen artists selected from an international open call. Each exhibition runs for three or four weeks, with the gallery open between each exhibition hosting a varied selection of temporary, eclectic “changeover” shows. The group plan to curate a number of one-off events many of which will encourage visitor participation. Bob Milner added: “It is a crucial aspect for us that people don’t see this as an elitist art project, one that is not for them. There is a tremendous variety of work in our planned programme and we’re certain that there will be something for everyone, without compromising on the main focus; showcasing good contemporary art to Halifax.”
Temporary Art Show runs until Friday 27th March.