12 July - 7 September 2008

Featuring Artists : Dunhill & O'Brien, Rachel Garfield, Charlotte Ginsborg, Jane Grant, Ansel Krut, Kim Noble, Tim Simmons.

ArtSway presents Just world order, a curated group exhibition that explores ideas of control, identity and anxiety as it affects modern society. Featuring new work by Dunhill & O’Brien, Rachel Garfield, Charlotte Ginsborg, Jane Grant, Ansel Krut, Kim Noble and Tim Simmons, the exhibition will embrace theories of displacement and disorientation, both physical and mental (the latter relected in the deliberately ambiguous title Just world order) and will focus upon notions of control by authority, as well as aspiration and belonging in human endeavour.

There is an unspoken aura of anxiousness that permeates modern society: newspaper headlines and 24 hour TV news bulletins report on what appears to be an almost constant, but unspecific, terrorist threat, while governments issue ever-escalating warning levels, all the time encouraging vigilance and heightened individual awareness. However, within the context of the attacks on the World Trade Centre, and the London Tube bombings, there are whispered conspiracies that the US government (particularly with the PATRIOT Act) and the British government, are engineering a feeling of fear within the general populace to enable increased control of their citizens.

Just world order is an exhibition of works by 8 artists (2 working in collaboration) in a variety of media, expressing ideas of angst in modern living and the disquiet we often in feel in attempting to find our place in society. Within the context of the exhibition there will be no distinct conclusion, but rather an opportunity for discussion within the gallery setting. In essence, the gallery will become a place for the visitor to explore their thoughts with regards to modern living; a chance to play out fears, and potentially excise them.

To accompany Just world order, a small publication with critical text by ArtSway Curator Peter Bonnell is being produced which will be available from July 12 2008.

Exhibition Associated Events:

Reception for the Artists and Publication Launch: Saturday 12 July 2008, 2pm - 5pm
Please join us in the gallery for the artists' reception and official launch of a 28 page full-colour publication to accompany the exhibition Just world order. The publication features critical text by curator Peter Bonnell, and works by and biographies of each exhibiting artist.
FREE: All Welcome.

Gallery Talk: Rachel Garfield in Conversation with Rebecca Ayre
Saturday 9 August 2008 at 2pm
News of global warming, world conflicts, immigration, and food shortages has encouraged a growth of anxiety in the modern world. In recent years there has also been an enhanced consciousness of the past from within popular culture, particularly of the lived past, or the last one hundred years. Identity, anxiety and belonging are distinct themes in Just world order.

ArtSway presents a talk with featured Just world order artist and writer Rachel Garfield to discuss how identity is expressed in contemporary art through the exploration of history and memory. Rachel will be discussing her work ‘Deep England’, and her practice and research with former ArtSway intern Rebecca Ayre. Rebecca is a photographer and artist with a particular interest in memory, commemoration and nostalgia in contemporary cultures.
FREE: Booking Essential.

Panel Discussion
Saturday 30 August 2008 at 2pm
Just world order artists, Jane Grant, Dunhill & O'Brien and Ansel Krut will be in conversation with ArtSway Curator Peter Bonnell. Each artist will speak about their work and ideas as the group moves around the gallery, as well as their thoughts regarding themes that inspire the exhibition.
FREE: Booking Essential.

Art in Context (Politics and International Relations)
Wednesday 3 September 2008 at 7pm
An evening lecture by David Owen, Professor of Social & Political Philosophy at the University of Southampton and Deputy Director, Centre for Philosophy and Value. This lecture will take place during the exhibition Just world order.
FREE: Booking Essential.

To book a place on any of the above events please contact Jack Lewis on 01590 682260 (ext.16) or email: jack.lewis@artsway.org.uk