Hidden Worlds

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We’re all about great conversation here at Tickbird&Rhino so we’re back on March 25th with more. Join us upstairs @ The Devereux Pub London for HIDDEN WORLDS, an evening of myth, magic and …bacteria?

First up we’ll have curator Robin Spalding exploring the role of folklore, myth and magic in contemporary art. Drawing upon the exhibitions of artists he regularly works with, Robin will dig into his deep knowledge of the subject and show how these narratives, once the preserve of “outsider” art, are returning to the mainstream and being re-worked by artists to address contemporary concerns. He’ll explore what’s behind this renewed interest and will consider how artists are using it to reveal hidden aspects of the human psyche while reconnecting us to the natural world. Exploring the long history of ancestral knowledge through selected works, Robin will reflect upon a broader re-evaluation of fringe spirituality and its place in our culture.

Then the artist Suzanne Abell will be telling us a story of a different sort. Inspired by a newspaper article describing the discovery of bacteria able to digest plastic, Suzanne - a former oral surgeon - established a collaboration with the Centre for Enzyme Innovation (CEI) at the University of Portsmouth with the aim of exploring the centre's research from an artist’s perspective. By recreating scientific experiments with everyday items and positioning this complex biochemistry within a more intuitive and visually engaging framework, Suzanne shows how she uses her arts practice to speculate on the futures of material sustainability, telling the story of this bacteria and the role it could play in developing a natural solution to the problem of plastics.

What makes a Tickbird&Rhino two-speaker evening such a good time is never quite knowing where the conversation is going to go until we begin. So grab a seat and come along to join in. It’s bound to offer some fantastic, thought-provoking fun.

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Suzanne Abell’s practice lies at the intersection of art and science. Influenced by a childhood spent in Africa, a 30+ year career in Oral and Dental Surgery and an MA in Art & Science from Central St Martins London, her interest in ecology and conservation finds her focused on plastic as both material and metaphor for the planet’s pollution and climate crisis. Concerned with that material’s toxicity, longevity, and its long-term effect on biodiversity, Suzanne explores enzymatic recycling technologies and their potential for mitigating the environmental damage caused by making, using and disposing of plastics.

Insta: @suzanneabell

Web: ualshowcase.arts.ac.uk/@suzanneabell

Robin Spalding is a curator of contemporary art. He produces exhibitions with a focus on storytelling - often exploring folklore, mythology, and fairy tales. His background as an artist informs his curatorial approach, with a particular focus on addressing the challenges faced by emerging artists.

Robin completed an MFA in Curating at Goldsmiths and has since established a programme of exhibitions at Deptford Quirk and Strange Parade in South East London. Alongside his curatorial practice, he works as an art sales consultant, currently at Eames Fine Art, and previously with the Royal Academy of Arts, Parasol Unit and Curwen Gallery.

Web: robinspalding.co.uk

Inst: @robin.spalding

Additional reading: The Return of Magic in Art

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Devereux Pub, 20 Devereux Court, London, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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