ropewalk magazine issue 3

July September 2011 1

craft

The Ropewalk • Barton upon HumBer

ExhibitionsWorkshopsEventsJuly to September 2011

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2 Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk 01652 660380

welcome

Summertime and the galler-ies at The Ropewalk are filled with the biennial open exhi-

bition humber to the wash. work submitted in a variety of media will be on show to view, inspire and perhaps acquire.

the ropewalk survived the funding cuts announced by arts Council england and we have now been accepted as a national portfolio organisation. this ensures we will receive support funding until march 2015. although the funding equates to less than 15% of our turnover it is vital to support much of the work we feel to be important that doesn’t create a viable income such as exhibitions and education work. the relief at being accepted was tinged with a great deal of sadness as companies we have worked with over the years had reduced awards or lost funding altogether. one of these companies north Country theatre will be performing at ropery Hall in September and we hope that you will support that show.

Whilst ropery Hall slows down over the summer months of July and august with only two performances the pace soon quickens as the air temperature cools and September brings a wealth of original music, comedy and theatre. (to put more on in the summer we’d have to take more off - with no air conditioning in ropery Hall swim wear would be mandatory to survive the room temperature!)

September also brings the ever popular Insight open Studios. For the weekends of 17/18 & 23/24 September ropewalk studio artists will open their doors to the public as part of the northern Lincolnshire event.

Finally I would like to say thank you to all of you who continue to support the ropewalk in so many ways. nothing delights me more than when people tell me which ex-hibition or show they have seen and enjoyed or disliked – the main thing for me is that people experience new things and have an opinion. Life would be so tame if nothing ever stimulated your senses the way the arts do.

enjoy your summer- make it a cultural one.

Liz

Top right: David Hilton’s distinctive tablewareRight: the rustic charm of Josie Walters’ earthenware collectionAbove: the ever-popular and usable blue and white range from Tydd Pottery

Find us on

As we take advantage of the glori-ous warmth of our English summer evenings many of us take the short walk across the camomile lawn to eat al fresco in the summerhouse by the cedar trees. And what better way to relax after that exhausting game of croquet than to eat off a range of attractive yet functional ceramics available from the Craft Gallery.

Salad Dayscraft

July - September 2011 3

� Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk 01652 660380

exhibitions

artist malcolm Whittaker has had a life long passion for the study of fossils – not too

surprising considering he is the son of a Barnsley miner. as a student at the royal College he regularly took the short walk down exhibition road to the natural History muse-um where he was able to browse the fossil records in their cased displays.

malcolm draws upon his passion to create his work. He forms con-nections with his subject that go beneath the surface of the landscape referencing its history, archaeology and geology.

His paintings are constructions that combine artifacts from prehistory (fossilized fish, votive boats) and topographical detail and he presents them in the form of objects in a museum, reflecting man’s obsession with collecting, categorizing and cataloguing.

malcolm Whittaker says, “my concern is centred around making complete autonomous entities, realms through which the viewer is invited to explore and experience not just the referential elements but its physical presence . . . the experi-ence of landscape is translated into the experience of painting”

Malcolm Whittaker: Just under the Surface opens in the artspace on September 10 and continues until october 23

Just under the surface.

ImagesFront cover: Votive Boat Above: Frog IIBackground: Four Fish (detail)


exhibitions

humber to The washopen Competition 2011June 18 – September 4

the Humber to the Wash biennial open exhibition has grown in popularity with every show and this year is no exception. With over 350 entries from around the region it has proved to be a very difficult task to trim down to the number of entries that can be accommodated in the rope-walk’s three galleries.Selectors Hilary angle and Letitia thompson did a thorough job of giving each piece careful consideration before deciding whether to accept or not. Due to the restrictions in space many good quality works were rejected in order to create a balanced and diverse show.“I was amazed at the diversity and high standard of the submitted work, and even though it’s a bit of a cliche, it really was a difficult task when selecting the work for ex-hibition.”letitia Thompsonthe exhibition is sponsored by the proudfoot Group, Grimsby Institute and Cooke Webster & Co.

It is also a part of the Big Sky Festival. www.bigskyfest.com

Sculptor Sir eduardo paolozzi was a compulsive collector, a jumbler of icons and a pioneer

of pop art. In this touring exhibition from the Hayward Gallery his ability to transform the mundane into im-ages that zap with electric eclecticism and impress with graphic complexi-ty is demonstrated in a series of fifty screenprints and photolithographs created between 1965 and 1970. Here paolozzi employs the technologies of mass-reproduction and gorges on its idols – the household names and fa-miliar faces of consumer advertising, high fashion and Hollywood. the artist’s friend and sometime collabo-rator, J.G. Ballard, described General Dynamic F.u.n as a ‘unique guide-book to the electric garden of our minds’.

EDUARDO PAOLOZZI: GENERAL DYNAMIC F.U.N.

The Accident Syndrome, the Genesis of InquiryCopyright the artist and DACS

Steff Mitchell

Steve Upton

Gallery One September 10 - October 9

box gallery

Collection, our on-going series featuring contemporary ceramicists of national renown continues in September in the Box Gallery with the work of pete moss.

the Lincoln-based artist, who may be familiar to many, has just cel-ebrated his seventieth year with a major retrospective exhibition at the national Centre for Craft & Design in Sleaford.

pete’s long and successful career began at Bournemouth College of art before going to the royal College where came under the influence of Hans Coper, Lucie rie and eduardo paolozzi. He has exhibited regularly since 1968, both nationally and inter-nationally including Sweden, estonia and russia and he is a Fellow

and former Chair of the society of Designer Craftsmen.

pete’s distinctive ceramic forms are notable for his fascination with surface and design. His complex geometric designs make use of bold sgraffito mark making and multi-layered, multi-fired pieces that are glazed with rich lustres and enamels.

“I am totally eclectic in collecting influences not only in a contemporary sense but also from archaic civiliza-tions. I borrow, re-use and reinterpret many of the patterns, colours, signs and symbols appearing in archaic artforms. However, I do use modern materials and continue to look for and develop a personal language as I grow in competence and extend my ceramic vocabulary.”


Collection: Pete Moss10th September- 2nd october

July September 2011 �

additional Information Lunch is not included in the cost of our workshops, however our licensed ropery Coffee Shop offers a delicious range of daily specials and freshly made cakes and refreshments. Lunch orders will be taken at the start of the day or alternatively you may bring a packed lunch. *reduced rates for classes are for ropewalk members only. If you wish to become a member please ask for details at the Gallery. all classes / workshops must be booked and paid for in full in advance. payments will not be refunded if a cancellation is received less than 14 days prior to the workshop / class. Cancellations made before this 14-day period will be due a refund less a £5 booking fee. If you have any special access or equipment needs please let us know so that we can make any necessary ar-rangements to accommodate this.

workshops

the ropewalk run a number of one day and regular classes so whether you are interest-

ed in developing your skills over a number of weeks and months or just want a taster day to learn a new technique we have something for you. Full details of all the classes are available on our website or in person at the Craft Gallery reception desk.

experimental Drawing with Bobbie walkington. Bobbie leads an experimental drawing workshop resulting in ‘first stage’ design studies to inspire you

and lead to further development. You will be introduced to free mark making employing unusual tools and materials that will combine to produce original and uniquely personal drawings. Suitable for anyone – no experience necessary!

Saturday 1 october Capturing the Moment with Bobbie walkington 10.30am – 4.30pm £34 / £30*

the ropewalk also holds regular life drawing classes suitable for par-ticipants at all levels. tutor richard Hatfield guides students through all aspects of drawing.

Tutored life Class with Richard Hatfield £25 / £22 10.30am – 3.30pm July 3, august 7, october 9

other regular classes; The Ropewalk print Group with Tim Needham wednesdays 1.30pm – 4.30pm £47/42 for 5 sessions

Technician Supported print Sessions with angela lindsley Tuesdays 10am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 4.30pm

patchwork Group Tuesday afternoon Cost: £4 per session or £40 per term.

Dressmaking and pattern Cutting with Jane white 10am - 4pm Second Thursday in the month Cost: £35 per session, or £30 each when booking a block of three.

Drawing on new skills

Garden


Visitors to the ropewalk often ask about the construction of the Sculpture Garden. the

area was developed in 2006 with funding from arts and Business which awarded a grant of £35,000 for artists’ commissions in recognition of the funding the proudfoot Group contributed to the refurbishment of the ropewalk in 2005.

three artists and one garden designer were contracted to transform an empty concrete space into a living gallery. Sue Hamnett of Hull worked with us to produce interesting beds from reclaimed timber filled with plants that added sculptural interest as well as colour. Coralie turpin from Sheffield worked with the three Barton primary Schools to produce the mosaic strip and richard Bett from Lincoln produced the subtle rope effect topped railings and gate

The final piece of the jigsaw came from miles Halpin, a Derbyshire

based sculptor, who produced a series of three orbs and a set of cus-tomised hieroglyphics for the gable end wall of the ropewalk. Here miles describes in his own words the inspiration for the pieces:

“the sculpture series is called ‘Ghosts’ and originate from looking at maps of the broader area and the region as a whole. the area around the gallery is wide and flat and feels like there are no geographic focal points, no place to ‘anchor’ oneself to; the wind blows about, energy drifts around, under-ground and unattached. the great length of the ropewalk building is inhabited by ghosts of the ropes that once stretched twisting from end to end, fathomed on the walls. the site for the sculptures and garden was plainly part of the building at some time; only the ghost of its outline remains, its absent presence felt.With the sculptures there is an awareness of the missing parts of the sphere, and the work is about

Sculpture Garden

photos: Simon Vickers


the ghosts of these non-presences as much as it is about the part that is present.the sculptures of the spheres suggest containment and the absence of what was once inside, like bones of a ribcage skeleton, or an open cage.”

The Sign“In my work I try to avoid direct rep-resentation or any cultural references like words, alphabets or numbers. anyway, here is the rosetta Stone for my symbols:

“The first panel represents the gallery as a central focal point for gathering together, for idea and events: roads leading into a central place.the second panel represents the ropewalk as a whole – an enclosed place of shelter and cultivation of the arts with a wide access and a direct route inside. the hieroglyph also resembles a tree heavy with fruit, which I thought was an apt motif.

the third panel represents the idea of art as a human construct: a symbol of mind sits about five monolith type structures. Within the monoliths are various ways of approaching repre-sentation: there is more than one way to view the world. the fourth panel represents people. The world is reflected and contained in the surface of this panel, and set within it is a crowd of many mul-ticoloured points which themselves reflect and observe the world from their perspective. They are unified as a collective, together creating a structure greater than themselves.The fifth panel is a map. The Rivers trent and ouse feed into the Humber, crossed by the bridge with its busy traffic and transitory presences; beyond the bridge is the estuary with the gallery on the south side and the lights of Hull to the north. to the east the estuary opens to the sea and the world.”

photos: Simon Vickers

Children need never be fed up in the school holidays thanks to the ropewalk based

children’s charity, St-art which has put together a full programme of events to stave off boredom for young people.

throughout august St-art will be travelling through time and history thanks to a programme of art and craft activities.

at the start of the month Duck egg theatre will be rehearsing and per-forming a brand new play written by those taking part and based on a Dr Who style journey through history with the performance on Saturday, august 6. this could be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the new Doctor or his assistant in a spellbinding adventure through time and space.

this will be swiftly followed by a 60s Fashion Week, suitable for fashion addicts aged between eight and 19 years, with workshops taking place during august and a fashion show on Friday, September 2.

“Fancy yourself as the next inter-national man of mystery or want to recreate that laid back hippy chic and retro flower power look?” asks St-art project worker Janine Knight. “Join local textile artists in a throw back to Flower power and the Swinging 60s.”

other activities are taking place in venues across north Lincolnshire this summer so keep looking out for the ST-ART leaflets or keep checking www.st-art.co.uk or contact the ropewalk on 01652 660380

children’s activities


April - June 2011 11

comedy

12 Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk

What are you laughing at? nothing, then it’s about time you tried out live

comedy. ropery Hall is the perfect setting for a comedy gig, not too big, not too small. It’s just right. the co-median is near enough for you to feel personally involved in the show but there are enough people around you in the audience so you don’t feel too exposed or self conscious.

ropery Hall puts at least one comedy night on each quarter. the big names always sell out quickly; understanda-bly people feel safe buying tickets for someone who has already made them smile however briefly on a TV show. If you have missed out on a show for a familiar face why not dive into the unknown and try someone you haven’t heard of. We cannot g u a r a n t e e you will laugh

but we do check the goods before booking to make sure that our acts are suitable for thinking people.

phill Jupitus edinburgh preview 1 July – SolD oUT

“Robin Ince Thinks he Thinks Therefore he Might Be”Friday 23 September

8pm £10/£12 on the doorexperience robin’s struggle for existence, live on stage direct from the edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011.Following on from his sellout national tour of uncaged monkeys, with professor Brian Cox, and as co-presenter of BBC radio 4’s Sony Gold award winning series the Infinite Money Cage, Robin continues his comic explora-tion of the human condition in his new autumn show. Spend an entertaining evening

in robin’s company as he orien-teers through the craggy landscape

of evolution whilst plumbing the depths of his own murky conscious-ness, all without the aid of a safety net.

theatre

April - June 2011 13

They have delighted us with productions such as Blood wedding in wensleydale,

home on the Range, and egil Ska-llagrimsson keeps his head and now the renowned North Yorkshire theatre company North Country Theatre returns once again to Rop-ery hall with a brand new produc-tion.

The Richmond based theatre company is bringing The Rocking horse winner, adapted by the company’s artistic Director Nobby Dimon from the short story by D h lawrence, to Barton upon humber in late September.

as the nights slip gently away into autumn why not enjoy this dark psychological thriller is set against a vivid background of colourful race meetings, jockeys, touts and bookies. Laced with satire it lends itself to the highly visual theatrical style which north Country is noted for.

A rare supernatural piece of fiction from one of the 20th century’s great novelists, it is set against a vivid background of colourful race meetings, jockeys, touts and bookies and this dark psychological thriller is laced with satire and lends itself to the highly visual theatrical style of this popular company.

every time north Country take to the stage at ropery Hall the audience cannot fail to wonder at how they can reach out to those sitting just a few feet away with such sparse props and yet tell such a gripping yarn every time.

this show takes place on September 30 and if past performances are anything to go by tickets will be snapped up quickly. If you have never been before come along and be assured of a spell-binding per-formance.

The play starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost £10 in advance and £12 on the door.

Gigs at ropery Hall come back with a bang on September 9 as mtm promotions offers

a rare opportunity to see aynsley Lister performing solo. aynsley is the blues man with the “boy-next-door” looks, the dextrous guitar fin-gers and the silky voice; the one that plays contemporary blues as if it’s the most natural and most commer-cial thing you can do.

the following weekend we switch from up and coming to a farewell performance. retiring after 25 years together and here for one final show in the area, the guitar, bass

austral ia rules

music

1� Ropewalk Magazine www.the-ropewalk.co.uk 01652 660380

When the Chloe Hall trio made their début ropery Hall performance last au-

tumn as part of its first UK tour we were unsure what to expect. taking a chance on a group that I had no previous knowledge of I was un-sure how the audience would react – I shouldn’t have worried. Chloe is a gifted songwriter who crafts thought provoking lyrics together with uplifting melodies. after lis-tening to songs about heartbreak, alzheimer’s and tragedy I came away from the gig with a smile. Strange? This is folk music, but its australian folk music and intona-tion is always on the up.

Back at ropery Hall on august 5 Chloe has a new line up. Simply Chloe on guitar and vocals with Silas palmer, a talented singer and fiddle player, they are calling themselves imagi-natively, Chloe and Silas!

Chloe says “We’ve just started playing shows as a duo down here (australia), and it’s beautiful. the sound is a little more stripped-back than with the boys (just the two voices, guitar, fiddle and stomp box), but it’s still all about the songs, and I’m still hooked on harmony. It’s really quite special.”

Samples are now available on her website, listen for yourself and then book tickets for a thoroughly enjoyable gig Liz..

Live music at ropery Hall this September

craft

and drums trio the Hamsters have long been established as one of our premier live attractions. although primarily playing their own brand of rock, Blues and americana, they’re also widely regarded as the uK’s leading interpreters of the music of JImI HenDrIX & ZZ top - and will no doubt be featuring some at ropery Hall. also, another popular feature of their two-hour performance will be the inclusion of a few acoustic songs! Guitarist/singer Slim has recently been featured in Guitarist magazine’s Blues Guitar Heroes’ book.

a new folk promoter to ropery Hall, mad Dog Folk starts with an evening with Hannah James & Sam Sweeney. Hannah and Sam have been playing together since 2002 are probably best known for their work in Kerfuffle, and in more recent years with the Demon

Barber roadshow and Bellowhead. Forming officially as a duo in 2008, they released their first album, Catches & Glees, in 2009 and were nominated for the Horizon award at the 2010 BBC Folk awards. Since the release of the album, Hannah and Sam have toured nationally, played festivals across the uK and received radio play internationally. they play predominantly english songs and tunes on accordion and Fiddle, and the live show includes Hannah’s renowned clog dancing.

And finally in September CoLLISter, KeLLY & FILLeuL perform as a trio. Coming together for the first time in three years the stunning voices of Christine and Dave will be beautifully supported by peter’s harmonies and piano. they will perform a host of their favourite songs - crossing every music genre; soul, blues, country and maybe a little folkabilly too.


Left to Right:Ainsley ListerThe HamstersHannah & SamDave Kelly

Barton Film Group takes a well-earned rest over the summer months but will be back match-

fit in September with three strong contenders.

True Grit (15) 15 Septa Coen Brothers remake of the 1969 classic true Grit starring John Wayne as “rooster” Cogburn gave grounds for a little apprehension but by going back to the original novel they have made an entirely different film. Still with strong central performances by Jeff Bridges, (in the Wayne role), matt Damon and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld the film is meaner, leaner and funnier than the original

oranges and Sunshine (15) 22 Septmargaret Humphreys (emily Watson) discovered a secret that the British government had kept hidden for years: 130,000 children in care had been sent abroad to commonwealth countries, mainly australia. Children as young as four had been told that their parents were dead, and been sent

to children’s homes on the other side of the world. many were subjected to appalling abuse. they were promised oranges and sunshine, they got hard labour and life in institutions.

The Fighter (15) 29 Septthe Fighter, set in small-town Lowell, massachusetts in 1993, stars mark Wahlberg as micky Ward, whose attempts to kick-start his boxing career are over-shadowed by his larger-than-life ex-boxer-turned-crackhead half-brother Dickie (Christian Bale) and his domineering manager mother Alice (Melissa Leo). The film acquired two oscar for Christian Bale and melissa Leo as Best Supporting actor and actress respectively.

All films £47.30pmDoors open 7pm

film


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July September 2011 1�


July

until Sept 4 • all Galleries • Humber to the Wash open Competition1 phill Jupitus 8pm SoLD out3 tutored Life Drawing Richard Hatfield 10.30 - 3.30

£25/£22

august

until Sept 4 • all Galleries • Humber to the Wash open Competition5 Chloe & Silas 8pm £8/£107 tutored Life Drawing Richard Hatfield 10.30 - 3.30

£25/£22

September

until Sept 4 • all Galleries • Humber to the Wash open CompetitionSept 10 to oct 2 • Box Gallery • Collection: pete mossSept 10 to oct 9 • Gallery one • eduardo paolozzi: General Dynamic FunSept 10 to oct 23 • artspace • malcolm Whittaker: Just under the SurfaceSept 17/18 & 24/25 • Insight open Studios2 St-art Fashion Show 7pm £3 adults9 aynsley Lister 8pm £10/£1215 true Grit 7.30pm £416 the Hamsters 8pm £15/£1717 Hannah James &

Sam Sweeney8pm £8/£10

22 oranges and Sunshine 7.30pm £423 robin Ince 8pm £10/£1224 Collister, Kelly & Filleul 8pm £15/£1729 the Fighter 7.30pm £430 the rocking Horse Winner 7.30pm £10/£12oct 1 Capturing the moment Bobbie Walkington £34/£30

Diary July to September 2011

exhibitions Workshops music Film theatre/Comedy

KEY


craft

the ropewalk is a regionally acclaimed centre for the arts hous-ing galleries, sculpture garden, coffee shop, and ropery Hall - a venue for live music, theatre and cinema within a Grade

II listed former rope factory. other facilities include: a printmaking workshop; artists’ studios; meeting rooms available for outside lets and a picture framing department.admission FreeGalleries Open: Monday – Saturday 10am -5pmSundays and Bank holidays 10am - 4pmthe ropewalk is on one level with good wheelchair access; we are a 5 minute walk from the Barton transport Inter-change with half-hourly buses to Hull and Scunthorpe and a 2-hourly rail service to Grimsby and the wider rail network.

DirectionsWe are well signposted from the a15. Just follow the brown signs...exit the a15 at J.3 and take the a1077 into Barton (Ferriby road). turn left at mini roundabout at the bottom of the hill and follow the road round to the next mini roundabout and turn left again. Follow the one-way system through Castledyke West and get in the left-hand lane. turn left at the junction opposite the railway station, then take the first right off Waterside Road onto maltkiln road. For The Ropewalk Galleries turn left into Tesco’s car park where you will find us in the far left corner. there is ample free car parking adjacent to the building. For Ropery hall, follow the road round to the Waters’ edge park gates and then left into the car park. please park at the end of the car park nearest Ropery Hall then walk to the first set of doors at the side of the building. For Sat nav users please input Dn18 5Jr which will lead you straight to Waters’ edge Car park.

Ropery Hallthe Venue is a small community venue with a capacity of around 120. For small music nights seating is cabaret-style; for all other performances it is theatre-style and seating is not numbered. please ensure that you arrive in good time if you wish to be seated together. there is a fully licenced bar at all performances. Doors open half an hour before the start of perform-ances.

How To Booktickets are available:In person at the ropewalk. open 7 days a week 10am - 5pm (4pm Sundays).By telephone. reserve your tickets for 5 days before collection or pay by credit or debit card. (an additional charge of £1 is applied)

the ropewalk•maltkiln road•Barton upon Humber.•north Lincolnshire•Dn18 5Jt•t: 01652 660380•f: 01652 637495•e: [email protected]•www.the-ropewalk.co.ukropewalk Contemporary art & Craft is the trading name for the Waterside artists’ Co-operative Limited reg no 3820744

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