Boiling Point Artist Collective - Practice Post Art School
Left artwork by Anna Marris, detail of Photomap 42e7 – Chemical Aftermath of Abandoned Mine, etching with aquatint and digital print mounted on UV print on steel. Right artwork by Ben Topping, detail of 943 Years, etching and aquatint.
There is not long to go until the opening of Boiling Point Artist Collective ‘Boiling Point – Practice Post Art School’, which feature artworks from both CAO Artists: Anna Marris and Ben Topping. The exhibition showcases a range of dynamic and experimental practices of fourteen members of the collective for their second group show since forming the group one year ago. The making of Boiling Point Artist Collective reaffirmed the connections and support network built during their undergraduate Fine Art degrees at Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton. Beyond the studios and workshops at Winchester, the artist’s creative practices have been challenged in new ways as their working environments have been pushed to adapt in varying locations, spaces, and times.
The exhibition will focus on transforming a space into an engaging and reflective experience of material and processual experimentations. A vital connector this exhibition will demonstrate is each artist’s pursuit in continuing an art practice post undergraduate degree. This shared experience will be an agent to integrate individual practices and explore the relationships between personal expression and how it can be utilised to address greater issues faced collectively in today’s climate.
Boiling Point’s exhibition aims to communicate the importance of collaboration through installing a range of artistic processes simultaneously, from traditional and contemporary investigations in painting, sculpture, and printmaking, to explorations in the digital realm, including filmmaking and 3D modelling.
There is an opening reception on the 6th April from 6 until 9pm. The show will continue from the 7th to the 11th, open 11am to 6pm, at Openhand Openspace, 571 Oxford Road Gallery in Reading. There will be opportunities to speak with the artists on each day, as well as a selection of engaging activities, including a panel discussion, writing/ sculpture workshop, Instagram Live talk, and painting demonstration.
Artwork by Ben Topping, Tetra Pak print on paper.
On Saturday the 8th of April, Anna and Ben will lead a Tetra Pak Printmaking Workshop from 11am until 5pm. Their workshop invites participants to explore the potentials of a simple and more sustainable print method: drypoint on Tetra Pak. The workshop will provide an opportunity to explore different forms of mark making to create patterns and imagery using traditional etching needles and the intaglio printing method to reproduce Tetra Pak prints on paper through a miniature press.
All equipment will be provided on the day. Please note that the etching needles are sharp. The workshop uses Caligo Safe Wash etching ink, which can be washed with warm soapy water. This workshop is free and open to all. There is no booking needed, just drop in and out. Children over 9 years are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information about the exhibition please see the 571 Oxford Road Gallery website here.
Follow Boiling Point Artist Collective on Instagram @boilingpointartistcollective to keep up to date with the group’s adventures.
This exhibition has been organised by Peter Driver. It is generously funded by a project grant from Arts Council England and benefits from support from Winchester School of Art and Reading Borough Council.
