Proceeding around the gallery, you notice the dim lighting combined with the gray walls sometimes draws you away from the work, but also enhances certain pieces, such as Grayson Perry’s ‘Spirit jar’, a work sure to stop you in your tracks. Presented simplistically in a small glass cabinet, this detailed ceramic vase could surely be the gem of the whole collection. Turner Prize winner of 2003, Perry is mainly identifiable by his pottery collections as well as his female alter ego ‘Claire’ who defines Perry’s sweet and vulnerable side. The jar itself shows unique illustrations with each individual line having its own personality. Combine this with a tasteful palette of turquoise and autumn colours; Perry has created an exquisite piece that holds you under a spell almost. You can’t help but walk around the gallery one more time, just to see the Spirit Jar again and enjoy the overall splendour of the exhibitions success.



Learning about the exhibition is easy enough, living in Derby and being a regular visitor of the Quad, but could publicity for events and information about what Quad has to offer be made clearer to people in the East Midlands region, rather than just in Derby?
On comparison, the Quad website informs you of basics about the building and information such as cinema times, but it is often a struggle to work your way around the site to find out about other events and exhibitions. The Nottingham Contemporary is another successful gallery and creative space close to Derby. The Contemporaries website is easy to work, offering you guidance around the site and giving you lots of information about past, present and future events. Nottingham has the space for more exhibitions, due to the larger gallery area, but even though Quad has less space, it offers an equal if not better environment, hosting spectacular events that should be made known to a wider audience. If Quad publicized around the Midlands region more than they are currently, they could look at hosting even more regular events, similar to fantastic Objects of Delight.

So, after the great success of the exhibition, what will be next for the Quad? Could it be that after giving the opportunity to the older generation, we now turn to the younger visitors of the Quad to join together to create an exhibition?

References
http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2003/nov/21/art.turnerprize2003
http://www.nottinghamcontemporary.org/

Quad Derby

Daring, could sum up the actions taken by the Quads Art centre in Derby over the past year. Handing over power to pensioners from the local area, Quad selected 14 regular members of the centre, to select works from the Arts Council Collection, to be exhibited in the Quad gallery.

Frequently exhibiting a range of exciting artwork, both old and new, such as previous exhibition Ground Level, which explored the art of map-making; Quad curators are keen to show a variation of different art forms. But has their latest project delivered this for the art admiring public? Certainly unique to the city, Objects of Delight, a title taken from John Milton’s poem, Samson Agonistes, involves regular Quad visitors having the opportunity to take charge, selecting pieces to be presented in the gallery, choosing from the likes of Henry Moore and David Hockney! Since it’s opening 2 years ago, Derby Quad has catered to the needs of the thriving arts community in Derbyshire, hosting previous events such as the ID fest and Gleam festival. Quad offers a relaxing environment with a cinema, gallery, café bar and creative space, appreciated by all ages, including family friendly workshops, designed for you and the little ones to enjoy. Objects of Delight celebrates our district and gives a different perspective on art, created by the people, for the people. So what is the verdict?

Wandering around the open space, you are able to enjoy a range of paintings and sculptures, which seem to mesh surprisingly well together. Being impressed by the likes of L.S Lowry, a range of lesser known artists to the general public are delivering outstanding work on entry, such as former Turner Prize nominee Shirazeh Houshiary, with immediate impact from her gold leaf and lead sculpture, ‘The Extended Shadow’. Houshiary says: 'The Extended Shadow is a column of four metres in height and constructed of a series of seven sided polygons, i.e. heptagons, stacked upon each other. These are made of cast lead with the top and underside finished in gold. The process of change is the true meaning of the Extended Shadow.’ And whilst admiring the structure, circling the piece slowly, shadows are cast in new directions with each movement you make, supporting Houshiary’s statement that change is the key element with this work.



There is a cultural feel to the set up of the exhibition, giving a slight Latin vibe, with a wide range of contemporary and traditional works, which contrast with one another, allowing you to appreciate both trends side by side. The face of the exhibition is British artist Gillian Ayres, renowned for her use of thick-layered oil paints and abstract fashion. You are struck by Ayres’ piece ‘Spica’ as a transition is made around the corner of the gallery into a smaller area, a typical example of her exceptional work produced in the 80’s, guides you almost, to your next location. Standing in front of this painting, time should be taken to contemplate what meanings lie within it, taking you on a journey through colour, movement and texture. Images such as rivers and insects could be noticed if looking for some context behind the piece, but it’s beauty is the mystery behind it.

References
http://www.poemhunter.com/quotations/famous.asp?people=John%20Milton
http://www.derbyquad.co.uk/objects-of-delight#
http://www.sculpture.org.uk/work/000000100102/
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/news/Map-route-fascinating-exhibition/article-2657297-detail/article.html

Samson

O loss of sight, of thee I most complain!
Blind among enemies, O worse than chains,
Dungeon, or beggary, or decrepit age!
Light, the prime work of God, to me is extinct,
And all her various objects of delight
Annulled, which might in part my grief have eased.
Inferior to the vilest now become
Of man or worm; the vilest here excel me,
They creep, yet see; I, dark in light, exposed
To daily fraud, contempt, abuse and wrong,
Within doors, or without, still as a fool,
In power of others, never in my own;
Scarce half I seem to live, dead more than half.

(John Milton (1608-1674), British poet. Samson, in Samson Agonistes.)