New Paintings

The new exhibition at Buxton Museum this week is called Consignment by artist Glenn Ibbitson. An on-going multi-media project comprising paintings, prints and film, Glenn’s work developed from an initial theme of escapology into a meditation on the contemporary social and political environment.

The composition of the figure, physically enclosed within the confines of the frame, was chosen for its symbolic potentiality. It suggests simultaneously both penal cell and hiding place or refuge. Glenn deploys it as a visual metaphor for the individual as the object of political oppression and human trafficking. The paintings are designed to hang any way up. They are not given titles outside a numbering system as individual units linked in batches, which increases the sense of commodification – ‘humanity as contraband’.

Glenn and his exhibition Consignment

The exhibition invites us to recognise what it might feel like to be reduced and objectified and you can experience it for yourself at Buxton Museum until Saturday 29 November. Glenn’s past artistic experience includes working as a scenic artist in film and television before moving to Wales. More of his work can be seen at www.smokingbrushfineart.com

Buxton Museum has acquisitioned some new paintings this week. All three are purchase prizes from the recent Derbyshire Open Art Competition; funded by Derbyshire County Council and the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery respectively. They have been moved to our high-tech storage facility to join over a thousand other artworks in the county’s art collection.

The Derbyshire Open Art Competition 2014 is almost here

A guest blog by Ros Westwood.

In just a week’s time (13 – 14 June) we’ll be bringing in the entries for the 32^nd Derbyshire Open Art competition. Have you got your artwork completed, framed and ready to bring to the gallery?

All submissions must reflect what is great about Derbyshire. Works may be in any media (except pure photography) – but let us know if they are very big or heavy in advance. You may submit up to two works and entry is free. Click here to get more information and the rules.

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The annual Derbyshire Open competition will be judged by Keith Logan of Gallerytop,  Jane Price the Tourism Development Officer for the alliance of Staffordshire Moorlands and High Peak District Councils, Kate le Prevost the Extended Services Officer from Ormiston Ilkeston Enterprise Academy and Kate Watson from the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery.

Not only will they select which works to hang, they will select several prize winners and commendations.

‘Abstract Quarry Two’ by Suzanne King won one of the 2013 Derbyshire County Council awards

 

‘Field – Homage to Antony Gormley’ by Artbox Artclubs won the 2013 Monroe Trophy for entrants aged 5-16

The top prize is a £750 purchase prize and the museum will acquire this picture for the collections. Over the years we have made a remarkable collection of artworks by professional and amateur artists through this purchase prize. Last year Kathryn Morten won with her ‘Abandoned Tractor, Sawmills’.

 

‘Dog on a Drystone Wall’ by Joss Abbs-Brown won 2012 Young Artist prize

One prize the judges can’t award is the visitors’ choice. This allows you, the museum visitors, your say. Come to see the exhibition between 28 June and 31July to select the Visitors’ Choice. The exhibition will continue through the summer to 5 September. Many works are for sale, so this may be an opportunity to treat yourself?

The exhibition is supported by Derbyshire County Council, Tarmac LaFarge and the Friends of Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. Entry forms and entry requirements can be downloaded from the museum’s website.