A review of Larkin: New Eyes Each year is available here
A review of a guided tour of the HIP galleries showing at Princes Quay is available here.
I have also visited the Ol`Town Art gallery on numerous occasions, helping to develop the setup along with the experience of visiting the creative space.
The HIP gallery had other exhibitions, which I have attended. These include the exhibition of images taken by an eleven year old girl in a documentary fashion, similar to Parr in execution of concept. Initially I was critical of the show, but upon finding out it was the work of a young Miss, this changed my perception and I then revisited the show and gave new consideration to the imagery. the second visit confirmed some critique, whilst showing other attributes not seen before. The technical ability of the girl in question is quite good, however the conceptual intrusion of the camera and photographer is evident in the imagery, but not overly so, and with more practice in her forthcoming years, this should get slowly removed by experience, and hopefully leaving a talented young photographer.
I went to see the Tool Appreciation Society, three times. the first two were just visits to the exhibition. I was in my youth an indentured apprentice, and have used many tools, and sometimes had to make my own tools for mechanical, culinary, cleaning, tasks amongst others. I have a fascination with tools and the uses they are put to. The third visit to see a presentation by the artist Linda Brothwell, who curated the project, was an interesting experience, and showed her reverance to the art and craft of the tools needed for work and the individualism of people in their toolmaking for individual tasks.
Another exhiition was by Matt Hopper and his Practice in Progress show, with Adam John Wilson. The Artists residence brought two artists togther who share the passion for drawing in their developed signiture styling. Thhis pop up space in the city centre is allowing a stream of artists to have a space to create work and promote themselves.
A visit to the Turner Prize, showed how a poorly planned route for footflowcan be confusing. I amongst others were confused about the spacing and the route around the exhibition. A lot of times not knowing if the room being stood in actually contained any of the works. The newspaper-esque guide and plan, not alieviating this dilemma, many of us where having and this spoiled the experience. I ended up inone of the screenings by accident and saw two women discussion clothing, whilst tying to find my way around. the group of people i was moving with all stayed about the same amount of time, before leaving. I found the art on display not very inspiring and sometimes quite banal in concept and application of the production in the work. I was not impressed, but disappointed by this so called pinnicle of artist endevour.