International non-profit arts organisation, ArtCan, will be popping up in South West London this March for a dual venue group exhibition focused on its artist members working with fibre and textiles. 'ArtCan - Unravelled' is co-curated by ArtCan members Catherine Sweet and Melanie Jordan. 

Catherine says: "Textile art is one of the oldest art forms in human civilisation, and we encounter it in many different guises during our daily lives. While many early examples focused on function over form, contemporary creatives continue to push the boundaries of textiles as a medium, as well as incorporating new and diverse narratives into their work - whether that be through stitching, weaving, quilting, tapestry, knitting, crochet or something completely new."

ArtCan Unravelled aims to highlight how the boundaries of practicality and aesthetics can be blurred with the variety of methods used to create textile art, and to 'tug on the thread' of the narratives created within the whole.

The exhibition will be in two halves, including in the front gallery space at RuptureXIBIT in Hampton Wick between 11th - 17th March, plus, running concurrently, ArtCan will have a dedicated pop-up space at the Landmark Arts Centre during their bi-annual Contemporary Textiles Fair (15th - 17th March). The venues are 10 minutes from one another on public transport.

RuptureXIBIT will be open 10am - 6pm from Monday - Saturday, plus 10am - 2pm on Sunday. The Landmark Arts Centre will be open 10am - 5pm over the weekend, with a preview on Friday evening.

Find the full programme for talks and demonstrations across both venues via www.artcan.org.uk/unravelled

To register for the private view at RuptureXIBIT, on Tuesday 12th March, 6pm - 8pm, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/artcan-unravelled-private-view-tickets-807615187767

Participating Artists:

Abigail Weston, Adele Cloony, Alison Aye, Anne Griffiths, Carol Ann Eades, Carole Bury, Catherine Hill, Diana Burch, Elizabeth Griffiths, Elly Platt, Gillian Brett, Hannah Pratt, Hilary Rosen, Jan Lee Johnson, Jane Higginbottom, Jo Cooper, Joanne Olney, Jonathan Armour, Kate Marsden, Marsha Roddy, Melanie Jordan, Nerissa Cargill Thompson, Rebecca Tucker, Sabatin Bascoban, Sophie Levi-Kallin, Su France, Sumit Sethi, Svetlana Atlavina, Sylvie Millen, Tracey Elizabeth Downing, Vicky O'Leary. 

NOTES TO EDITORS:

Contact/ Website & social media: [email protected] /artcan.org.uk / @ArtCanOrg

ArtCan celebrates 10 years of supporting artists, has no intention of stopping

Across 10 of the most tumultuous years in modern memory, ArtCan found a toehold, climbed to incredible heights, and is celebrating continued success. Founded in 2013 by Kate Enters as a one-off exhibition among peer artists, ArtCan now represents over 600 members from 26 countries, and organises an annual programme of strong and vibrant collaborative art exhibitions. 

About ArtCan

ArtCan is an artist-led, non-profit arts organisation with members across Britain and internationally. ArtCan's work is supported by the efforts of artist-member volunteers, contributions from Founder Friends and Friends of ArtCan and with the valued guidance of the Board of Trustees.

ArtCan has expertise in producing collaborative art exhibitions in London, across the UK and internationally. The exhibitions complement the work of established galleries by enabling talent to gain experience and skills. ArtCan work with galleries, but also seeks new spaces where art becomes a part of everyday life and with the aim of involving audiences in an organic and personal way.

ArtCan's artist-centred ethos means that the model does not involve charging membership fees or commissions on sales, to help artists focus on developing a sustainable practice. 

Catherine Sweet

Catherine Sweet is an ArtCan artist and a member of the ArtCan Advisory Group. Catherine is the Founder and Director of BobCat Gallery, an independent online gallery showcasing original and affordable small scale artwork, and she provides independent curation and arts advisory services. She has also recently stepped down as Chair of Visual Arts for South West London charity Arts Richmond.

Melanie Jordan

ArtCan artist Melanie Jordan is based in rural Kent. Her art practice is very tactile and haptic, with thread based crafts at its core. She has exhibited throughout the UK and internationally, including ArtCan's 'Vienna Calling III' exhibition, and 'Supermarket Art Fair' in Stockholm. Her work has also been shown at Turner Contemporary Gallery in Margate. She was awarded an MA in Fine Art from The University for the Creative Arts, Canterbury in 2020.

The Venues

RuptureXIBIT (+Studio) is first, a working art studio, and second, a flexible exhibition space designed to give artists an affordable place to expand and further define their practice through showing their experimental work and talking about it across disciplines and communities.

55 High Street, Hampton Wick, KT1 4DG

An independent charity, the Landmark Arts Centre has evolved into a vibrant arts space offering a stimulating mix of activities including classes, concerts and exhibitions.  

Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN