The De La Warr Pavilion programme is supported by a vital and dedicated team of volunteers.
We are currently recruiting volunteers to join our team and assist audiences visiting the Gallery One exhibition by artist Tonico Lemos Auad from 30 January until 10 April. In his exquisite and playful sculptures, Tonico inspects ideas such as act of faith, repair, healing, resistance and endeavour to overcome adversity.
A new time-based sculpture made for the De La Warr Pavilion consists of a plant bed of medicinal herbs and offers a space for conversations and exchange.The work stems from Tonico’s fascination with gardening and how it can activate social interactions and trigger acts of sharing, negotiating and healing.
This is an opportunity for volunteers to play a key role in instigating knowledge sharing opportunities in the Gallery One every Saturday from 1pm – 4pm, where visitors are invited to exchange stories about gardening, medicinal herbs and related ideas, and take away small plant cuttings.
We are seeking volunteers with an interest in gardening, medicinal plants and people, and ability and enthusiasm to engage audiences in knowledge sharing.
Person specification:
Confident individual who can work independently and within a team
Available to commit to 3 hours (1 – 4pm) on one or more Saturday per month throughout duration of exhibition
Interested in Contemporary Art
Excellent verbal communication skills
Experience within gardening will be valued
To apply please email Ashley McCormick, Head of Learning ashley.mccormick@dlwp.com by midday Friday 5 February. Please use ‘Tonico Volunteer’ as your email subject line
On the 26th of September 2015, a new exhibition entitled In the Realm of Others opened at the De La Warr Pavilion. For the staff working there, myself included, we were intrigued, excited and perhaps a little apprehensive. We expected that it would do well but at the same time, we were aware that this art show was unlike anything we had presented before. Individuals with complex needs have produced the work, and they all attend Project Art Works, an artist-led organisation established in 1997.
The doors to Gallery One interest the public as they walk past. They turn their heads in curiosity and peer through the glass. They behold an unusual, impressive looking structure and it entices them to enter. They pause to read the information provided and admire the stunning framed doorway that is the Project Artworks archive. This contains rows of canvas paintings and drawings from the makers who regularly attend Project Art Works.
The visitors hear some peculiar sounds as they read the information on the wall: they are initially puzzled until they realise that they can hear the splashing of liquid, the drips and dabbing of paint markers, the scratching of pencils over paper and shaken bottles of paint. This is an audible recording of the makers in progress.As visitors move through the first section of the gallery, they see Sharif Persaud’s self-portrait in front of them. There are murmurs of how wonderful it is. They turn their heads to the right and view the lively art works presented there. Marion Willis’s ink and pencil picture is coloured delicately and it has the appearance of a butterfly’s wing or an oriental fan. One guest describes Neville Jermyn’sBarbary Ape as ‘adorable’. Darryl Spencer also has his self-portrait here. Eden Kötting’sDorothy Still Life picture evokes happy memories from childhood and brings forth recollections of watching the timeless film.
The next section of the gallery has guests exclaiming in delight to each other. They had no idea how much variety and skill there would be in this exhibition. Carl Sexton’s multi-coloured dot paintings have been compared many times to famous artists like Jackson Pollock, sparking discussions about the magical, otherworldly quality it has and how much time it must have taken him to do.
Photography Nigel Green – Installation Shot
Michelle RobertsBirds in Nests painting introduces them to the abilities of a woman who perceives the world in the most remarkable detail and colour. Michelle also has other work displayed in the gallery and people quickly realise how exceptional her talent is.
Darryl Spencer’s large process works inspire many thoughts; one in particular has tight, circular arcs of paint. Some people note that it looks like patterns in a kaleidoscope or that it has a likeness to jewels, freshly chopped fruit, bubbles or cells in a human body.
George Smith’s three vibrant paintings are a particular favourite with children. The black and neon orange paint in one of them is particularly alluring. As an invigilator, it has been insightful, and at times highly amusing, to watch and overhear small children declare confidently to their parents that they know exactly what the images are. Young children talk about it with their own opinions and ideas, sometimes connecting with the artwork better than adults do. George’s younger brother, Sam Smith, has two of his canvases here too. Sam’s bright shades in his ‘pour paintings’ represent energetic bursts of spontaneity and a joyful sense of excitement that most adults sadly leave behind in childhood. His first one is a captivating mix of red, pale pink, blue and grey. Sam’s other painting contains explosions of blood reds, dark pinks and green. We hear frequent whispers about how extraordinary they are.
Many of the visitors enjoy and appreciate the art, and strangers, who have never met before converse with each other. They step inside the darkened room to watch the video Modus Operandi, a video of the makers at work at the Parachute Club. This video provides a connection to the art; it shows some of the makers involved and links the visitors’ experience to the art itself.
Albert Geere has nine of his creations in the gallery. These lovely, intensely colourful pictures of houses and intricate shapes are a favourite with all ages. Houses are a popular theme of Albert’s and the geometric elements and soft pastel colours give these special images their unique design.
An allocated studio area allowed the makers to come in and produce work within the gallery itself. On certain allocated days, people were able to observe the makers involved in various projects, and to view the kind of sessions that Project Art Works provides. In the final days when the practical sessions were finished, the workshop wall had a selection of Polaroid photographs, revealing key moments from Project Art Works years of history.
Allocated studio area – (Photography Nigel Green – Installation Shot)
The drawing section of the gallery featured drawings by Darryl Spencer, David Marriot, Brian Simpkin, Louise Newham and Jonathan Rogers. These striking black and white pencil and graphite drawings have enthralled visitors, many of who have wanted to purchase them. Darryl Spencer’sUntitled (wave 1) picture is filled with curved brush strokes giving the picture a dream like essence with merging colours of purple, lilac, black, turquoise and dark blue.
Visitors head towards the back of the gallery and spy a glass cabinet containing animals constructed from pipe cleaners. Gabby R’s Creatures are amazing and there are sea life animals, an eagle with tinsel wings and a charming little dragon with pink tinsel claws. These draw many smiles from the public.
Gabby R’s Creatures – (Photography Nigel Green – Installation Shot)
Another video that visitors are able to relax and watch is entitled No Church in the Wild. This beautifully filmed video follows some of the makers on a group expedition to the St Thomas a Becket church located in Fairfield, Kent. This is an attractive and remote location within the Kent countryside.
At the back of the gallery, further surprises await the visitor. Jonathan Roger’s painting is a warm mix of red, pink and orange hues. Paul Colley and Cherry Lane have produced a huge black, white and yellow picture. This has a futuristic and galaxy like scene about it that has fascinated many visitors. Another of Michelle Roberts’ paintings Sea Life is a glimpse into a new and mysterious world of quirky creatures.
Guests were encouraged to post their comments and questions in a book but they could also write on a square of paper and place it on the wall. What is art? How do we define it? Did the makers know they were creating art? Are we all artists in our own way? Questions such as these turned this section of the gallery into an educational environment for interesting and thought provoking debates.
As an invigilator who has worked at the De La Warr Pavilion for many years, I believe that In the Realm of Others has been a resounding success. It has opened up a new world of discovery to both staff and visitors and has promoted diversity in art, health, disability and life. People have left the gallery with new ideas, an awareness of others and an experience that stays with them. Some have returned many times to see it again. For some it was a moving experience, for others it was enriching, and some felt motivated to have a go at creating art themselves or with their families.
What has made this exhibition so appealing to visitors? The makers seem to live in the moment and enjoy life whereas we tend to worry constantly about the past or we fret about the future. Can we find that same kind of spontaneity and joyful sense of freedom in ourselves? Possibly, but only if we are willing to open our minds to the fact that we all perceive life differently and as long as we respect that, there is nothing to be afraid of with creating art. We can all find our ‘way’, just as the makers of Project Art Works have found theirs.
Over 4000 visitors came to celebrate 80 years of the De La Warr Pavilion on Saturday 12 December 2015. Living up to its name The People’s Palace, the foyers, balconies, café bar and staircases were thronging with people – many of whom dressed in glamorous 1930s style.
The Retro Swing Quartet entertained the crowds under the South Staircase with tunes of the era and the glittering girls from Debonnaire Entertainment danced the rumba – the dance craze of 1935. Later on in the day we were treated to a performance by ESSPA students, the youngest of whom re-created the famous Ovaltinies advert. Visitors were fascinated by the 1934 original model of the Pavilion, borrowed from Bexhill Museum as well as some of the original plans, drawings and a poster for the opening concert on the walls. In the Auditorium Foyer we screened two of the most popular films of 1935 – The 39 Steps and Top Hat -and at midday Pavilion expert Julian Porter gave one of his informative and engaging behind the scenes tours.
On the first floor in the north staircase we displayed our “cake” made with local groups in workshops led by artist Beccy McCray, whilst outside Gallery 2, the Bexhill Classic Cycle Club displayed their beautiful bicycles. You could sample 1930s inspired cocktails from our cocktail bar such as The Mary Pickford and The Sidecar as well as Pavilion35, the new beer especially created for us by Franklin’s Brewery and which we are now selling as draft behind the bar. Our 1930s menu included liver and bacon –enjoyed by Danny Pike of BBC Radio Sussex broadcasting live on the day – fish pie and corned beef sandwiches. Lunch was accompanied by the London String Quartet playing the popular music of the time.
On the rooftop foyer, families were treated to Geoff Felix’s Punch and Judy, as well as a display of tin plate toys from Bexhill Museum (which runs until 31 January). Legend Photography were also taking glamorous shots of people dressed in costume on the balcony.
Outside we created a Concourse d’Elegance of vintage cars courtesy Bexhill 100.
As on December 12 1935 speeches were made at 3pm. The Mayor of Bexhill, Cllr Watson, read out some of the original speeches that were made 80 years ago and Stewart Drew, Director of the Pavilion thanked everyone for coming and listed some of the amazing artists and performers that have exhibited and performed here. But the real stars of the show were Honorary Patron Eddie Izzard and his father John who, as a boy, took part in the opening in 1935. Their speeches of reminiscence fo the past and support for the future of the Pavilion were greeted with loud cheers from the crowds.
At 5pm the doors opened to a magnificent Tea Dance by the Ragroof Players and Michael Law’s Piccadilly Dance Orchestra. Over 200 people tripped the Light Fantastic to tunes from the first half of the 20th Century.
The building itself looked spectacular with its new branding prominent in all displays. And hats off to La Collina Gardens for their classic and beautiful displays of flowers and greenery throughout the whole Pavilion.
12 December 2015 was a truly memorable day in the story of the De La Warr Pavilion.
If you have any images of the event you would like to send us, please email mydlwp@dlwp.com
On the occasion of its 80th anniversary the Modernist cultural icon De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) at Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex has commissioned a new brand identity.
The new branding which will be rolled out during 2016 aims to reconnect the Pavilion with its roots as a democratic Modernist space for people to experience contemporary art, culture and entertainment. It also positions the Pavilion as an internationally recognised venue for contemporary arts. Over the coming months DLWP will be updating its website, publicity and communications to be more accessible and effective in reaching its diverse audiences.
At the centre of the new brand identity is an open circle, a roundel , which derives from the original signing on the building and circular features within the architecture. Combined with anew typography and the reintroduction of the original colour palette, the new logo type and roundel will be a unifying mark on all communications support by a new strapline “Est. 1935. Modern ever since”
The new brand was conceived and designed by Playne Design, headed by Clare Playne, working in conjunction with consultant Jim Northover. Playne Design has been retained by DLWP on an on-going basis to assist with design and implementation, which will be carried out on a cost-effective replacement basis.
To celebrate the 80th year anniversary itself a special mark was designed by renowned American designer Ivan Chermayeff (whose architect father, Serge, co-designed the Pavilion with Erich Mendelsohn). The new brand takes its inspiration in part from Ivan Chermayeff’s anniversary design.
Stewart Drew, Director and Chief Executive, De La Warr Pavilion comments:
“We have thought long and hard about making a brand change that helps takes us in the direction we want to go. It is a strategic move for us which both looks forward and helps us stays grounded in the innovative thinking that made the Pavilion possible 80 years ago.”
Clare Playne, Creative Director of Playne Design remarks:
“We are delighted to be working alongside the DLWP team to deliver a new brand for them and their audiences. It’s been a privilege to take such a historically important step for one of the UK’s best-loved Modernist arts centres.”
For more information contact: Sally Ann Lycett, Director of External Relations, De La Warr Pavilion 01424 229 137 sally.ann.lycett@dlwp.com
To celebrate the 80th birthday of the Pavilion I worked with a small group of Young Artists (8-11 years) to create a composite artwork made of 80 images, based on the roundel of the DLWP logo.
My greatest enjoyment was taking them on a voyage of architectural discovery, in and outside the building, revealing that that no detail appears by accident – from the placement of a clock above a series air-vents to the width of windows on a façade.
They produced a fabulous collection of observational drawings, which we used as the basis for collages, prints and, most enthusiastically, 3D low-relief paper sculptures. A phenomenal achievement within only 3 days!
We are delighted to announce that the winner of Platform Graduate Award 2015 is Tom Heatley from Brighton University. Tom was put forward by the De La Warr Pavilion for the Award and his work has been shown in the rooftop foyer and around the building throughout September and October.
The Platform Graduate Award is where one graduate artist from five South East galleries is put forward to be considered for a £2500 bursary and a year’s mentoring by and arts professional.
The galleries are Margate’s Turner Contemporary, Portsmouth’s Aspex, Bexhill’s De La Warr Pavilion, Milton Keynes’ MK Gallery and Oxford’s Modern Art Oxford, and the Award is an initiative from CVAN (Contemporary Visual Art Network South East). Each organisation selected graduates from within their immediate geographical reach for their exhibitions.
The 2015 artists were :
Tom Heatley, University of Brighton, chosen by De La Warr Pavilion
Amelia Marsh, Winchester School of Art, chosen by Aspex
Deborah Mills, Buckinghamshire New University, chosen by MK Gallery
Emily Willey, University of Reading, chosen by Modern Art Oxford
David Vargas, University for the Creative Arts, chosen by Turner Contemporary
Winner Tom Heatley’s series of images, The Sculptors, and their unique installation, resolve a personal uncertainty for the artist over the decision to pursue photography in place of sculpture. Using the University of Brighton’s sculpture department as his studio, the project illuminates Heatley’s three dimensional inclinations through documents of incidental sculptures, still life and staged constructions.
In partnership with Bexhill Dementia Action Alliance, Rother District Council and Suzy Harvey, the De La Warr Pavilion hosted the second Musical Matinee Club.
The free relaxed cinema day screened the ‘Wild-West’ 1953 musical, Calamity Jane. Host Suzy Harvey and team DLWP, dressed up in dazzling costumes, offering goodie bags, chocolate Wagon Wheels and special additonal mischievous fun bringing the action on screen to life!
As part of this year’s Art in Romney Marsh Festival, Dear Serge will be curating St Georges’ Church, Ivychurch in Romney Marsh and an evening of performance to launch the Festival on 19 September. For the launch, we will be presenting two artists who have featured at previous Dear Serge events: live experimental electronic music from Graham Dunning and a performance lecture from Cliff Stevenson. Alongside this there will be an improvisation utilising the church organ by Aine O’Dwyer.
We are also presenting a specially commissioned sound work A Brackish Hymn created by Cieciura/De Sousa. A Brackish Hymn explores the local landscape, placing the sound of the nearby Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm directly into the context of the 14th century church. The two seemingly incongruous landmarks, the church and the wind-farm (the latter having caused some controversy when erected in 2008) coexist in Romney Marsh. What is their relationship and what connections, if any, exist? By audibly experiencing the modern mechanical rhythm of the giant turbines within the church’s ancient enclaves, the audience is invited to engage with and question the proximity of the two landmarks and perhaps also the wider resonances this may have within the changing global landscape.
Dear Serge in St George’s Church Ivychurch, Ashford Road, Ivychurch, Kent, TN29 0AL
Launch event : 19 September 5pm
Open to the public 19/20, 26/27 September
3/4, 10/11 October
1pm to 5pm
Drop-in anytime today (Friday 21 August) between 2-6pm in the rooftop foyer
Work together using colourful and unexpected materials to build temporary towering structures in this game of chance and control.
Here are some of the fantastic images from the last Crafternoon Tea taken by artist Beccy McCray, to see more and to view her blog visit: http://beccyandbridget.tumblr.com/
