Opening 6pm Thurs 8 Mar

Exhibition runs Fri 9 Mar – Sat 31 Mar

We humans connect to the environment, both built and natural, using objects; sometimes as tools, sometimes as ornaments, sometimes as both.

In many cultures, objects are considered to have a spirit of their own, and perhaps supernatural powers. The theory behind this is known as “embodied cognition”. Essentially, we live in bodies and those bodies inhabit spaces, which means our experience of the made environment is determined by the fact of our being in a body.

Essence is an investigation of the object as a means to trigger emotional response. Taking elements of familiar objects to create new objects, Andy Vagg reduces the object to its most basic form; that is, to its very essence. The functions of the objects become blurred, giving rise to the possibility of evoking both the memory of the practical use of an object, and attraction to the objects’ inherent beauty.

The manner in which we engage with objects determines the value we give them. On one hand we discard them without a thought; on the other hand, we treasure them, and pass them on, generation to generation.

Conversations: 1pm Sat 24 Mar

Join us for conversations with the artist from 1pm on Sat 24 Mar. Meet the makers, and learn more about the artworks and the stories behind them. All welcome, free entry.

Image: Andy Vagg, Baseline (detail), 2017, post-consumer materials. Photo: Amy Brown