Visual art exhibitions and events with a platform for critical writing
By: Lis Molzahn
Recently graduated MA artists from Sunderland University were given the opportunity to run a rolling exhibition programme at the former Labour Exchange, Sunniside. In an affiliation between Art and Business, the property developers opened the doors to the artists and allowed the newly refurbished ground floor to be temporarily transformed into a space for contemporary art.
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‘New Art Exchange’
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# 1 [29 August 2007]
The opportunity of using the former Labour Exchange was given to us immediately following the MA public exhibition 16 07, so the name of the exhibition became the name of the artist group.
The generous exchange of space between property developer and artist led to the concept of a rolling exhibition programme with invitation to other emerging and established Sunderland artists. The location, part of the Sunniside regeneration programme led by Sunniside Partnership, has temporarily been named New Art Exchange.
We have the space whilst the developers are awaiting new tenants, hopefully long enough to provide the much needed opportunity for a number of graduating artists to exhibit their work alongside that of established artists, outside of the University walls.
Three weeks later and still occupying the building, we had had the first change over of work.
The doors open directly onto the pavement, and we have been encouraged by the interest of passers by, and the support of other artist groups, Sunderland arc, Sunniside Partnership and the press.
The images show the space we are working with, which needs to be handed back to the developers in the same condition. We are aiming to become more interactive and are encouraging any proposals for temporary interventions that can work within the structure of a clean white space and allow for the uncertainty of how long we can retain the building.
We are currently opening New Art Exchange ... Exchanging Spaces Wed - Fri 1 - 4pm.