The Riverfront in Newport, South Wales is now housing a one-off and incredibly exciting exhibition which explores themes of history, loss and regeneration and involves over 20 local artists. The exhibition, ‘Ghosts in Armour’ opened to the public in the basement gallery at The Riverfront on Friday 5 September. With well over 500 guests having visited so far, the exhibition is open until Friday 17 October 2008. What started as a personal project for two local Newport photographers, Matt Wright and Janire Najera, has now, with the support of Corus, the Arts Council of Wales, The Riverfront and many others, expanded to become a major exhibition. ‘Ghosts in Armour’ is centred around the former Whiteheads Steel plant in central Newport, now demolished, and as such is deeply relevant to the current redevelopment of the city. The exhibition will contain 360 degree photography of the Steel Plant as it has never been seen before, including the plant as it was when derelict. There will be portraits of former Whiteheads workers photographed where they used to work, film footage of the factory and an installation built with objects found in the factory before its demolition. “The show has only been possible because of the help we have received from our sponsors”, says Matt. “As the previous owners of the Whiteheads site, we always felt that Corus would be the perfect partner for this project, and we are really excited that they have decided to join us as our major sponsor.” ”This exhibition is unique, reflecting upon the cultural heritage of Newport and the important role steel had, and is having now in changing the architectural skyline of the City,” says Keith Farron, Community Spokesperson for Corus. “What they’ve created is amazing and hope that the general public, and as many schools as possible will take advantage of visiting this exhibition” “Having The Arts Council of Wales come in to support us early on was also very important”, says Matt. “And it was The Riverfront offering us the basement gallery (designed to house the Newport ship but currently being used as an alternative gallery space) without charge, which set the whole exhibition in motion.” “We just had to have the exhibition here,” said Danielle Taylor of The Riverfront. “I’m thrilled for the artists and for the ex-workers.” Presented by Punctum Photographic, ‘Ghosts in Armour’ is an exploration of a space, a time and a declining Welsh industry which features a unique combination of artists and media, including photography, 360º panoramas, film and sound installations, documentary, printmaking, painting and poetry as well as the UK’s first public showcase of the WrightGeorge Photosphere concept (image provided). The combination of fine art, documentary photography and literature is one of the things making this show unique and the public should expect to see part of South Wales history presented with a narrative, artistic and technological finesse. ‘Ghosts in Armour ‘is presented by Punctum Photographic |
| Riverside Newport web site: www.newport.gov.uk/riverfront |
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Thursday, September 11, 2008 |
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