Presented by Curators Chamber and Kyla K Design, EveryBody is a group show “celebrating the human form in all of its diverse expressions – strength, identity, vulnerability and desire.” Spotlighting twenty artists from diverse backgrounds, EveryBody is a sprawling collection of work that reflects a broad range of responses to the figurative thematic framework. The body is, of course, a constant but complex concept within creative practice, raising questions around identity, physicality, autonomy, representation and connection.
For Jodie Gill, who founded Curators Chamber as a way to connect art, artists and audience, EveryBody was the perfect production for her first exhibition under the new venture: “It felt like an important time to be reminded of our shared humanity, the things that unite us, the feelings we share, and what it means to be human. When you bring together a bold mix of twenty contemporary and figurative artists, whose practice spans from classically trained techniques to urban and everything in between, alongside a concept like the one we have, EveryBody felt like the name for this exhibition that encompassed everything we were trying to express. We hope to have created a space for every body to enjoy art, to see and feel seen as humans.”
Within a spacious converted venue on St Asaph Street, EveryBody features gruesome body-horror-esque contortions, contemplations of the toxic influence of digital discourse, the comparative juxtaposition of bodies within landscapes, traditional tattoo illustration that connects directly with the body as canvas, photographic explorations of light and texture through a figurative lens, and three-dimensional forms that express physicality. This diversity ensures a scope of narratives can be teased out, including uncomfortable considerations of how the body is framed within art history and practice, creating the opportunity for reflection for both the audience and the participating creatives.
We were there for a busy opening night, capturing the vibes, energy, and fittingly, the human presence (including live body art)…
EveryBody is open until Sunday 29th March, located at 192 St Asaph Street – Weekdays 12pm-6pm, weekends 10am-4pm. Hannah Beehre will host a life drawing class on Thursday 26th March, 6pm-8pm, and an artist talk will be staged on Sunday 29th March, 4pm-5pm – for more information, follow @curatorschamber.
EveryBody features: Bob Powell, Ebony Mellowship, Ekos, Fractured, Gemma Rae, Jacobyikes, Jessie Rawcliffe, Josh Ross, Kophie Su’a-Hulsbosch, Kyla K, Lora Calora, Max Van Meeuween, McChesney, Mike Southern, Patrick Mang, Robbi Carvalho, Sofiya R, Spike Sight and Sweats.
