Pull Everything Out - an exhibition Corita Kent & Ciara Phillips

This exhibition is currently on show at Spike Island, Bristol. Spike Island is an international centre for the development of contemporary art and design. To find out more about Spike Island, click on the link www.spikeisland.org.uk

Spike Island

I went to see this collaborative exhibition last week. I was immediately impressed by the venue. Spike Island is a large building with very roomy exhibition rooms and a lovely cafe. The staff were also welcoming and knowledgeable.

This exhibition - Pull Everything Out - brings together over 70 prints by the artist Corita Kent (1918 - 1986) and a collection of  contemporary works by Ciara Phillips (1976).
Its a testimony to both artists engagement with experimentation, learning and collaboration. It also shows their shared concerns albeit generations apart.

Power Up

Corita Kent was born in 1918. She was also known as Sister Corita. She was the head of the art department at the Immaculate Heart College in Los Angeles. Her brightly coloured silk screen prints became recognised internationally during 1960's and 1970's. Sister Corita was very much involved with the community. She lectured and ran workshops. She was also an activist.

Left -Come off it (1966)

Right - Handle with Care (1967) 

Centre - bread & toast (1965)

 Her day-glo prints were inspired by billboards and advertising that she saw around her. These were part of the ever growing consumer culture that was springing up all over America! She produced over 400 prints and many commissions. These included book covers and text book illustrations. Corita designed large billboard size posters for Share, The international walk for hunger, Amnesty International and Physicians for Social Responsibility.

Pull Everything Out - has the most extensive selection of Corita Kent's prints (over 70) to be shown in the UK to date. You will see text based works from the mid 1960's.

Left -a passion for the possible (1969)

Centre - king's dream (1969)

Right - if i (1969)

Also political pieces from the end of the 1960's reflecting the consciousness of America's role in the Vietnam War, the Civil rights movement and feminism. Corita Ken died in 1986 aged 68.

Left - the cry that will be heard (1969)

Right - news of the week (1969)

Ciara Phillips was born in 1976 in Ottawa, Canada. She is currently based in Glasgow. Ciara also works in print. She produces textiles, photographs and wall paintings. In the Pull Everything Out Exhibition we see examples of screenprint on newprint on cardboard boxes.

Ciara Phillips - Pull Everything Out (2012)

Ciara studied Fine Art at Queen's University, Kingston (BFA 2000) and at the Glasgow School of Art (MFA 2004) She is the initiator of the Poster Club. The Poster Club comprises of seven artists who work collaboratively and also exhibit together.

Ciara Phillips - wall painting

So what did I think of the exhibition?

 My first thoughts were, its a huge Gallery with posters on the walls! However on closer inspection and  time spent listening to the short film on Corita Kent that runs in the room next door, I understood the significance of the messages Corita was saying in her very visual art during a very turbulant time in Americas history.

 Looking at the workspace that Ciara had set up in the first week of the exhibition, I understood the affinity that she had with Corita and her work.  I loved that Ciara was based in the workspace during July along with other artists and members of the Poster Club. They produced an updated version of the Irregular Bulletin a journal originally produced at the Immaculate Heart College, where Sister Kent worked.

 I found it very interesting but it did not inspire my own work.

Pull Everything Out - Corita Kent and Ciara Phillips Exhibition runs until 26th August 2012 in Gallery 1.

Leave me a comment if you get a chance to visit this vibrant exhibition!