24 January 2008

`From Acanthus to Zebrawood’ - new exhibition

Preview : Friday 25 January 2008, 6-8pm -
Exhibition continues until 23 February
Cooper Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee

‘From Acanthus to Zebrawood’ brings together four UK artists and designers who are inspired by the form and function of furniture. Using materials such as formica, plywood, colour and light, all exhibited works abstract or transform the humble, everyday alphabet of domestic and urban furniture.

A graduate of Edinburgh College of Art’s Sculpture Department, Glasgow-based Steff Norwood has recently moved into the area of bespoke furniture design. Norwood often customises existing furniture, from the 1950s giving them a new lease of life with a bold use of surface colour. He also makes new pieces that although functional as furniture can cross over into the realm of installation art. His new work for the Cooper Gallery develops ideas from his 2007 artist residency at Cove Park in Argyll and Bute and will include a free-standing light work, a room divider and a table.

Jennifer Douglas lives in Gateshead and graduated from Glasgow School of Art MFA course in 2005. Douglas creates a fine tension between chaos and balance in her installations that play with surface plane, colour, line and space. Building precarious columns out of plywood for her brightly coloured wooden structures to balance on, she pushes her basic materials to their limits.

London artist Michael Samuels beautifully subverts the nature of the unassuming second-hand furniture he collects. We show two pieces, a 1950s table and fold-up stool. With the simple introduction of light to both items and the mischievous titles of ‘Gimp’ and ‘Dweeb’, the pieces take on a new personality. Michael Samuels graduated from the Royal College of Art Sculpture MA in 2000. His work has been included in international exhibitions in New York, Miami, Hong Kong and Basel.

Anthony Shapland’s work captures the transitory moments hidden in commonplace events and objects. The short film ‘Rise’ finds the beauty in a ubiquitous street light switching on. Born in Pontypridd, Wales, Anthony Shapland is a Cardiff-based artist who has exhibited nationally and internationally. He is also known for his curatorial work with g39, an artist-run organisation based in Cardiff of which he was a co-founder. Shapland recently had his first solo exhibition in the UK at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

Curated by University of Dundee Exhibitions Department.

For further information or images please contact Jenny Brownrigg or Laura Simpson on 01382 385330 / j.brownrigg@dundee.ac.uk

Cooper Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, 13 Perth Rd, Dundee DD1 4HT Free Admission Gallery Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10.30am-4.30pm

T: +44 (0)1382 385330 E: exhibitions@dundee.ac.uk W: www.exhibitions.dundee.ac.uk

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