Artist Harry Meadley gives insights on exhibition planning to Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery

FRAG Harry Meadley talk

Members of Friends of Rochdale Art Gallery (FRAG) gained fascinating insights into the rationale of exhibition making at Touchstones.

Artist Harry Meadley explained in a genial and relaxed manner some of the thinking behind the recent years of exhibitions from his first provocative question in 2018, ‘But what if we tried?’ This meant putting as much of the borough’s collections on show as possible, stemming from his feelings as a young man that not enough municipal art was visible or accessible. This led to several artists being invited to react to the rediscovered contents in many ways.

In 2021 as the galleries began to open after the pandemic, Harry became involved again, this time infused with his experiences in an artistic exchange project with Java, where he was impressed by the open sharing of artistic activity.

This time in 2022 the cry was ‘Free for all’. Alongside visiting exhibitions, people responded to the open invitation and presented their own art works plus poetry reading, bouncy castles, even extending to a Vintage Tea Dance for the over-60s and a ‘bring your dog’ day. As a result, many people visited the galleries for the first time.

As the present season of exhibitions ends there is much to look forward to. ‘East of Java’ was a movie about the volcano Krakatoa. With Harry’s Java experience resonating with Rochdale’s Co-operative values, might more ideas continue to erupt?

The next FRAG meeting 13 October will feature a talk on the aesthetic lava flow of the celebrated American Liz Collins, whose exhibition begins at the end of September.
 

Read more: Touchstones Rochdale unveils “Mischief” this autumn with exclusive new exhibitPublished: 18 September 2022

FRAG meets on the second Thursday of the month, usually at Touchstones.

Tea, coffee & biscuits served from 1pm - Guest Speaker from 1.30pm - 2.30pm. Members £3, Non-members £4 on the door.

All welcome. Annual membership only £10 and you will be supporting your local art gallery and get discounted rates on talks and trips organised by the Friends and invitations to private views for exhibitions.

For further details please contact Jenny Buckley (Chair, FRAG) on 01706 358686 or Mark Doyle on 01706 924555.

Dr Joe Dawson