The Beat of the Butterflies’ Wings – interactive art and reminiscence exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery invites people of all ages to be involved in an interactive art and reminiscence exhibition, The Beat of the Butterflies’ Wings. The exhibition runs until 22 January 2017.
The Beat of the Butterflies’ Wings has been devised by Artist Jill Impey, and support funded by Arts Council England. It has so far involved over 150 participants aged from 10-90 years and will continue to develop through performances, talks, workshops and the addition of butterflies to Jill’s Empire Chandelier installation, Prism.
The Project considers the 100 years of British involvement in conflict since the First World War: the war to end all wars.
It has progressed through a series of 12 initial workshops in Shrewsbury venues including The Redwoods Centre, Coleham School and Participate Contemporary Artspace.
Participants aged 10 to 20 years and 65+, have interacted with a 1930s themed Cabinet of Curiosity, investigating contemporary art works and memorabilia, through performance, drawing, and making origami peace butterflies.
Subsequently, Jill, recorded their stories and expressions of hope for peaceful resolutions to conflict. This sound work, ‘Words about War, Words about Peace’ now forms part of the exhibition at Shrewsbury Museum and Art Gallery.
A further five exhibition workshops took place, with artists: Keith Ashford, Jacqui Dodds, Julie Edwards, Eliza Glapinska, and Jill Impey, bringing together a mix of older and younger participants. They selected objects for the community exhibition cases in Shrewsbury, from the Museum Archive at Ludlow.
The group developed printmaking skills to illustrate themes relating to war and peace, explored ideas through text and the juxtaposition of objects. Participants also provided personal heritage items to add resonance to the display, which has been described as very moving by visitors to the Museum.
If you or your organisation would like to visit the exhibition and take part in workshops/talks visit www.jillimpey.co.uk or https://www.facebook.com/TheBeatoftheButterfliesWings/
The exhbition opened on 22 November 2016.
Supporting Organisations: Age UK; Arts for Health, South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare, The Redwoods Centre; Coleham Primary School; Participate Contemporary Artspace CIC; Shrewsbury College; Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery; Ludlow Museum Archive; Shropshire Council.
