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'On the threshold' exhibition, June/July 2000.
Introduction to the exhibition catalogue by Dr Colin Rhodes
This is the third year that Loughborough University School of Art and Design’s
Generator Gallery has played host to Artspace, a group of locally based artists who
have come together to present a unified voice in north Leicestershire. Founded in 1997,
the success of their first group exhibition, ‘Innerspace/Outerspace’ in summer 1998,
has led to a continued development and maturation of the practice of its members and
stands as a signal point for the diverse community activities which are a defining
feature of Artspace’s raison d’ętre. Taking ‘On the Threshold’ as a theme, the sixteen
active members of Artspace have responded to this suggestive title in a range of sometimes
challenging, but always compelling and contemporary ways. Utilising a wide spectrum of media,
including painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, textiles and collage, they once
again bring to the people of Charnwood, as well as visitors from further afield a coherent
and satisfying experience of art now. It is tremendously important that the arts in this area,
nestled as it is between two neighbouring cities, have a voice. Charnwood Arts has an
important part to play in this, as does the University. In addition, the existence of a group
like Artspace offers visibility for its members through mutual support and unification of its
activities, as well as providing a platform through which accrued knowledge and expertise can
be shared with others in the community at a more hands-on level through workshops and other
sessions. We should not forget that ‘On the Threshold’ is the showpiece of activities that
have been taking place over the last twelve months, punctuating work which is ongoing, and
providing us, the viewers, with the privilege of enjoying and supporting publicly the fruits
of some of that labour.
Dr Colin Rhodes
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