ARTISTS TALKING

Various venues and online
Throughout June, July and August

‘More’ comprises a series of diverse artist-led projects across Cornwall throughout summer. As an initiative it takes the ‘Liverpool Independents’ as a precedent, in that the shows deliberately coincide with ProjectBase Social Systems events and the opening of The Exchange Gallery in Penzance. However, the name appeals to us to look beyond these more visible ventures to the diversity of contemporary practice already in the region.

It was built upon momentum generated from previous artist-led successes with a core steering group formed to coordinate publicity. This was funded by sponsorship and fees from members, who proliferated into an active countywide network. Jem Mackay, PhD researcher in ‘creative collaboration’ built the web site and in return studied the evolution of the group. Both the site and this willingness to be self-reflective seemed to have given ‘More’ a strength of identity that is rare with such a large collective. For the sake of speed and flexibility, major funding applications were avoided. This meant that a wide range of practices and sites could be incorporated and it feels as though the emphasis has been placed on artwork, rather than the fulfilment of funding criteria.

Projects in June included Just Relocated (Heritage Centre 2025) housed at an ex-Mine Count House on the spectacular cliffs of West Penwith. Veronica Vickery explored the controversy over Objective One funded regeneration in the area, while Bruce Davies’s prints highlighted graffiti as a legitimate cultural signifier on a World Heritage Site.

Tales of the Unexpected is a series of “unannounced and unofficial” interventions that divert attention from anodyne postcard images of Cornwall. The ongoing Embark exhibitions use a ferry crossing as a platform for 2D work and performance and the web-based Anti Swiftie Association campaigns to “stamp out bad art”. ‘More’ also hosts solo shows by Sovay Berriman, Alexis Stevens and Patrick Lowry. Highlights in July and August include site-specific projects in a disused library, telegraph museum and WW2 bunker.

‘More’ appears to be a successful exercise in trusting artists’ networks. For potentially isolated practitioners in disparate locations, the umbrella group has been a valuable enabler: Says artist Vickery: “It’s given me the impetus and opportunity to work in a different way, to be able to take risks.” In a region already saturated with outlets for commercial art the existence of such a forum is vital.

For information on current ‘More’ events throughout August visit www.morecornwall.org

Megan Wakefield

Megan Wakefield