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subscribe with RSSThe Sex Pistols sang that they were ‘pretty vacant’ and ‘out to lunch’- but the shops left empty by the recession are deserted for longer than a one-hour lunch break. Artists’ collective Pretty Vacant convert these spaces into art galleries, and use their jotta group to spread the word.
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Together long-time friends Charlotte and Gemma head up Pretty Vacant, managing an ever- expanding team of students and graduates who tour the country with temporary exhibitions and pop-up galleries.
What
"Pretty Vacant is a new social enterprise. Essentially, we devise Visual Art exhibitions which use vacant units as their gallery space."
Who
Pretty Vacant is managed by two ex-Stourbridge College students, who have been friends for over 10 years; Charlotte Clark and Gemma Hadley. Charlotte is studying Glass design at Wolverhampton University. Gemma has just completed a BA in Fine Art at Hereford College of Arts. The ever-expanding Pretty Vacant team is primarily made up of students and recent graduates from Arts related courses, but we also welcome novices and enthusiasts of The Arts without a formal education.
How
The principal idea for Pretty Vacant was conceived in the August of 2008 while attending the Private View of a local exhibition held in an empty shop. What was a spur-of-the-moment “wouldn’t it be great if…” idea quickly snowballed. "We have now already secured funding through Wolverhampton’s “SPEED” programme (Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education), and have begun discussions with local urban development company “RegenCo“, and made links with artists and art Groups across the country. Support for Pretty Vacant has been immense and at present our list of members and contacts now exceeds 200."
Why
"Our aim is to stage art exhibitions and events in the empty and unused spaces that exist in the periphery of the public consciousness, thus transforming them (although temporarily) into something new, different and exciting.
We have established a network of young and talented artists that are either still studying or recently graduated. We want to give them an opportunity to start exhibiting their work in a peer-led environment. Allowing them to gain valuable practical experience, build their confidence, and receive feedback on their work."
"We hope our artistic interventions will encourage people to look at and consider their environment in a different way, and challenge the assumption that “the high-street” is beginning to waste away."
In the post-degree/summer break period it’s easy to sit back and do nothing after working hard all year, but we have decided to take on the challenge of setting up and running these exhibitions.
Check out Pretty Vacant's jotta group for more of their exhibition pictures.
AndromedaHeightz commented on Tuesday, 26 January