Fantômas is an exhibition of new works by artist Caroline Achaintre.
Her visually striking, witty ceramic sculptures and hand-tufted wall hangings incorporate diverse references such as catwalk fashion, carnival, and death-metal iconography, as well as Primitivism and Expressionism – early twentieth-century Western art movements that borrowed heavily from non-Western and prehistoric imagery to find new ways of representing the modern world.
Achaintre’s sculptures often resemble masks. Appearing in cultures throughout the world, masks have the potential to take on a life of their own, conjuring ‘characters’ in the mind of the viewer. The title of this exhibition refers to the mask worn by the shape-shifting French criminal Fantômas, invented by writers Marcel Allain and Pierre Souvestre in 1911. In the 1960s, a TV adaptation of the novel was made, in which Fantômas’ face was hidden by a rigid-looking blue mask. For Achaintre, the mask is a place where fantasy and reality can exist at the same time.
For Fantômas, Achaintre will make a series of new ceramics, accompanied by new wall hangings. She will create the ceramics whilst undertaking a joint residency between the De La Warr Pavilion and West Dean College, an arts and conservation college founded by British poet Edward James, a keen art collector known for his patronage of the Surrealist movement.
Thanks to The Elephant Trust
WOOFER (2018)
To celebrate her new exhibition Fantômas, in our First Floor Gallery, Caroline Achaintre has produced a special Limited Edition Print. Titled Woofer, it is a full-colour archive quality digital print on Hahnemühle Museum Etching paper.
Woofer epitomises Achaintre’s ongoing fascination with the mask as a place where fantasy and reality can exist simultaneously, whilst also echoing the energetic lines and patterns of the Art Deco era.
Proudced by Solaris in St Leonards-on-Sea.
The edition of 25 will be available to purchase from our shop, online or at the Pavilion. Each edition costs £165 with an exclusive 10% discount for our patrons, and 5% member discount.
buyPersonal responses to the exhibition, recorded with the Young Creatives, a group of local 14 – 21 year olds who play an active role in influencing and co-producing the De La Warr Pavilion programme.
Find out more about the Young Creatives__________________________________________________________________________
There are plenty of welcoming and good value B&Bs & boutique hotels in Bexhill. The De La Warr Pavilion regularly uses the following :
- By Rail
Direct trains go from London Victoria, Brighton and Ashford to Bexhill.
There are also trains from London Charing Cross, changing at St. Leonards Warrior Square and from London Bridge or Charing Cross going to Battle. Battle is only a short taxi journey away (15 mins approx).
Visit www.nationalrail.co.uk for up-to-date train travel information. - Taxis
Town Taxis: 01424 211 511
Parkhurst Taxis: 01424 733 456 - By Car
If driving from the London area:
Take the M25, then A21 to Hastings. Turn off at John‘s Cross and follow the signs to Bexhill.
OR
Take the A22 to Eastbourne, go across the Bishop roundabout to the A271 and follow the signs to Bexhill and the seafront. The De La Warr Pavilion is on the Marina.
From the Brighton area:
Follow the A27 out of Brighton until you arrive in Bexhill On Sea. - Parking
Please be aware the Rother District car park outside the De La Warr Pavilion operates paid parking until 7pm. After this time parking is free. There is also lmiited free car parking along the seafront.
Within the limits of this Grade One listed building, the De La Warr Pavilion strives to be fully accessible with a range of facilities to support your visit.
Assistance Dogs are permitted into the building.
Please contact the Box Office on 01424 229 111 to arrange a visit.
Facilities for disabled visitors
- Ramped access at the front of the building
- A low counter at the Box Office and Information Desk
- Disabled toilets on two floors
- A lift to all floors
- Accessible galleries on both floors
- An accessible Café
- Spaces for wheelchairs in the auditorium for seated events
- Ramped access in the auditorium for events during the day
- Ramped access into the Studio
- Two travel wheelchairs are available for use at the De La Warr Pavilion. To reserve, please call our box office and information desk on (01424) 229111 or ask a member of staff on arrival. The chairs are provided on a first come, first served basis and are intended for use inside the Pavilion. Please contact us for more information.
Facilities for blind or visually-impaired
- Large print season brochures
Facilities for the hard-of-hearing
- An T-Switch induction loop in some areas of the auditorium (please indicate when booking as this facility is not available on the balcony)
- British Sign Language interpretation tours of the building and exhibitions are available on request.