Textile Forum South West

Material Actions - Textile Forum South West's 2010 exhibition, call for submissions.

The Textile Forum South West (TFSW) in collaboration with the Viewpoint Gallery at Plymouth College of Art have been making plans for the Textile Forum South West's 2010 exhibition and are now calling for submissions.

Exhibition details
Title: Material Actions
Venue: Viewpoint Gallery, Plymouth College of Art, Plymouth
Exhibition Dates: April-May 2010

Background
The concept of the Material Actions exhibition is inspired by the ideas that were explored in the March 2009 TFSW's conference: Textile Footprint. The conference discussed the ethical investments in the practice of textiles and was a timely look at issues surrounding the ethical, ecological and sustainable use of materials.

Also related to the themes of the conference and exhibition, TFSW will be holding a Textile Question Time event as part of the Stroud International Textile Festival on the 10th of May 2009, 2.30pm at Stroud Valleys Artspace (SVA). This will be an afternoon event to debate themes related to wool and the associated issues of ethics and sustainability. See information included in your conference pack for further information on this event.

Theme
The Material Actions exhibition will question how textiles are used actively to affect and contribute to ethical, social, cultural and environmental change. The focus will be on the special qualities and active role textile practice can bring to challenge these current debates.

Eligibility
This year an exciting development is that submissions for the exhibition will be open to TFSW members and non-members based in the south west and nationally. This is so that we can: expand the networking opportunities between south west textile practioners and those not within the region; and create the opportunity for south west audiences to engage with and be inspired by textile work created outside of the south west as well as from within.
The exhibition aims to draw from a wide range of UK based artists to showcase in the South West the best in critically engaged textile practice. The organisers are happy to receive applications from both emerging and established artists. Due to the size of the gallery space we imagine that we will be able to exhibit a maximum of 15 pieces of work (this obviously depends largely on the size of the works proposed).

Type of work
The work submitted should be suitable for a gallery context and critically engaged with the theme.
Any format will be considered which has a relationship to textiles and the theme of the exhibition.
We would welcome proposals for new work as well as existing pieces.

Submission details
6-10 good quality jpeg images of existing and proposed work emailed or sent on a labelled CD or DVD. Please include a description, dimensions and date made for each image.
Outline of proposed work (1 side of A4 maximum).
Artist CV and artist statement.
Submission deadline:
Thursday 28th May 2009

Send submissions to:

Email exhibitions@plymouthart.ac.uk

Post
Hannah Jones
Exhibitions Officer
Viewpoint Gallery
Plymouth College of Art
Tavistock Place,
Plymouth, PL4 8AT

Websites
viewpoint.pcad.ac.uk
www.tfsw.org

Selection panel
Curator (Viewpoint Gallery), Academics (Plymouth College of Art), Textiles Forum South West representatives and invited writer for forthcoming publication.

Publication
Funding is being sought after to produce a publication linked to the exhibition. Selected artists will be asked to provide images and information to be included in the publication and will receive a number of free copies.

Exhibition details
The organisers will arrange and cover the costs of PR, exhibition opening, related publication, installation of work and equipment. It is expected that artists will work with the organisers to transport and insure artwork. Works can be for sale for which a commission will be taken.

Queries
contact@textileforumsouthwest.org
or
exhibitions@pcad