AIRspace: A show by ten Artists-in-Residence at BIAD

This show looks great, it starts in Birmingham later in the month. The exhibition presents work from the ten Artists-in-Residence working in the Birmingham School of Jewellery. The AIR scheme gives makers' space and use of all the equipment in exchange for some teaching assistant work with the current students. It's such a good idea as it clearly benefits both the artists and the students at the school. The exhibition shows the new works made during the residency.

Some more info on the Show:

‘AIRspace’ exhibition will display the work of the ten current Artists-in-Residence:
(In order of the images)
Tusheeta David (Jeweller, India)
Sangeun Kim (Jeweller, enameller, South Korea)
Sally Collins (Jeweller, UK)
Ryan McClean (Silversmith, UK)
Nobuko Okumura (Jeweller, Japan)
Hajime Hasegawa (Sculptural metalsmith, Japan)
Heidi Hinder (Conceptual jeweller, silversmith, UK)
Jemma Daniels (Silversmith, jeweller, UK)
Kathryn Partington (Jeweller, UK)
Kevin Grey (Silversmith, UK)

‘AIRspace’
Ten Artists-in-Residence showcase the benefits of a new placement scheme at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham.
‘AIRspace’ is a forthcoming exhibition which will reveal the latest work of ten young international jewellers and silversmiths, all currently based at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University.

Each of the designer-makers has been participating in a new Artist-in-Residence placement scheme which was introduced at the start of the academic year, September 2009, by Professor Jack Cunningham, Head of School.

In exchange for a small teaching assistant input, the Artists-in-Residence benefit from access to workspace, facilities and equipment within the University building. In their own time, they are able to develop new collections of work, the highlights of which will be on show at the ‘AIRspace’ exhibition.

With so many financial pressures on new graduate designer-makers, the scheme is highly valued by those lucky enough to have been selected. Heidi Hinder, a conceptual jeweller and silversmith, commented: ‘The Artist-in-Residence placement scheme is an incredible opportunity, giving us access to the very best facilities in order to develop new work, while encouraging a creative exchange between students and new makers within the School’s vibrant atmosphere’.

The University staff have also appreciated the benefits of the placement programme. Jo Pond, Lecturer and AIR scheme co-ordinator said, ‘The Artists-in-Residence assist the academic staff on a cross-section of Modules, offering the School an engaging and direct link between academia and current practice. Having the Artists-in-Residence on board enables our students to observe the drive and commitment essential for working towards individual deadlines, whilst developing new work.’


‘AIRspace’ opens on Thursday 29th April and runs until Friday 21st May 2010, at the School of Jewellery, Birmingham City University.

Exhibition opening times: 10am – 5pm, Monday – Friday, from 30th April – 21st May 2010.
Venue:
School of Jewellery
Birmingham Institute of Art and Design, Birmingham City University
Vittoria Street
Birmingham
B1 3PA
Phone: (+44) (0) 121 331 5940
Fax: (+44) (0) 121 331 5943
WEBSITES: www.schoolofjewellery.co.uk
or: www.biad.bcu.ac.uk
or: www.bcu.ac.uk/biad