Precious

Press release 10 November 2009

Precious
Reclaiming Art and Craft
30 January to 23 May 2010
Hove Museum & Art Gallery
Free admission

Be dazzled by the beauty in the overlooked and discarded.

Taking a highly innovative approach to contemporary craft, Hove Museum & Art Gallery commissioned ten artists and makers to create new pieces, and nine to exhibit existing work. Precious is the result, produced from objects which have had a previous life.

20 unique, show-stopping pieces – precious objects, all have had a previous life. Waste paper and fabric are transformed, landscapes made from computer parts, taps take on a new twist. Books, parts of furniture, drink cans are all reclaimed and re-made.
19 nationally and internationally known artists – explore where their imaginations can take you. Coming from all over the country and selected from 300 applicants, the makers reflect all aspects of contemporary craft in Britain today. For anyone who has ever glanced at a second-hand item and wondered where it came from, these artists explore where these objects can take you.

Nothing in this exhibition is what you expect.

Precious continues to 23 May 2010. Admission is free.

Precious is created by Matt Smith, guest curator, and Polly Harknett, Curator of Contemporary Craft at Brighton & Hove Museums. After being shown at Hove Museum, it will take on a new life on tour to five other venues around the UK.

Ends

Information for editors

For images, please email museums.marketing@brighton-hove.gov.uk

Full information, including related events, at www.brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/WhatsOn/Pages/precious.aspx

Precious is a Brighton & Hove Museums exhibition
Precious is supported by Arts Council England

Matt Smith

Matt Smith is a freelance curator and artist. He has worked at the V&A, the Science Museum and the British Film Institute. In addition to Precious, he is currently Project Director of Unravelled, a group of artists working in response to historic buildings and stately homes.
www.mattjsmith.com
www.unravelled.org.uk

Polly Harknett

With a background in art history and textiles, Polly Harknett has been the Curator of Contemporary Craft at Hove Museum & Art Gallery for the past seven years. She works on developing the Brighton & Hove Museums Contemporary Craft Collection through acquisition and display, and programmes temporary exhibitions across the museums and art galleries and historic houses of Brighton & Hove, showing national and international makers working at the highest standards. Her work aims to encourage debate about and broaden enjoyment of contemporary craft.

Participating makers

Tracey Bush
Kelvin Birk
Circus Kinetica
David Clarke
Donya Coward
Mary Crabb
Stephanie Douet
Amy Douglas
Jools Johnson
Becky Knight
Margaret Marks
Andrew Mockett
Joanna Mowbray
Mark Oliver
Claire Palfreyman
Kate Parrott
Betty Pepper
Jasmine Pradissitto
Pamela Schilderman

Hove Museum & Art Gallery
19 New Church Road, Hove BN3 4AB
03000 290900
www.brighton-hove-museums.org.uk
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 2-5pm
Closed: Mondays (including public holidays); Good Friday, 23-26 December, 31 December, 1 January
Free admission

Press enquiries:
Martin Ellis, Marketing and Audience Development 03000 290906 museums.marketing@brighton-hove.gov.uk