Sheffield art scene inspires with unique collaboration
An exciting new project is supporting emerging artistic talent and helping the local community to get involved with the vibrant Sheffield art scene.
The occursus group is a collaboration between the University of Sheffield and Site Gallery, kindly sponsored by law firm DLA Piper. The occursus group connects local and international artists with the public via exhibitions, workshops and residencies. It also runs popular reading groups, as Dr Amanda Crawley Jackson, lead academic on the project explains: "The Reading Loop brings together writers, artists, researchers and the public. The texts we read inspire some lively discussions about the philosophical, moral and political questions of our day."
DLA Piper hosted the first occursus exhibition over the summer, displaying works by Sheffield-based artists Hondartza Fraga and Paul Evans. The opening event was well attended and Dr Crawley Jackson hopes that their upcoming exhibition, opening Thursday 27 October 2011 and featuring works by Richard Bartle and Ian Anderson, will prove equally popular.
Dr Crawley Jackson of the University of Sheffield's Department of French, said: "We will be showing great works by two of Sheffield's best known artists. What's more, this is the first time that many of the pieces will have been exhibited. We're also thrilled that the much loved local artist and University of Sheffield alumnus Joe Scarborough will be in attendance."
Duncan Mosley, the partner who has been leading the initiative at DLA Piper said: "Our first exhibition proved to be hugely popular with clients and staff alike and it is great to be able to put our wall space to use with such innovative artwork - we're looking forward to the next installation.
"However, our support of occursus goes far beyond the exhibition. Our involvement allows us to support a number of up and coming artists, helping them attract the attention they need to develop their careers and ensuring they have access to the right support to help make their careers as successful as possible. We are pleased to have the opportunity to play a part in building awareness of Sheffield's thriving artistic scene."
Students from the University's Department of French are also involved in every aspect of the occursus project. Roisin Burns, 23, a final year undergraduate student, says: "This project has given me an invaluable opportunity to meet local artists and have a glimpse of how the art world works. The experience has inspired and encouraged me to further pursue a career in the arts."
Sheffield-based Spanish artist Hondartza Fraga, who had a one-month occursus residency at Site Gallery over the summer, said her residency: "…has been an enriching experience. It has provided both time to play and think, and space to experiment."
Jérôme Grivel, the current occursus artist in residence at Site Gallery, has come from France to explore what Sheffield has to offer in terms of inspiration. "As an artist and musician who is influenced by noise and industrial music, the occursus residency allows me to work in Sheffield, a city which is a historical cradle for this kind of music and still is nowadays," he writes. "It also offers me the opportunity to work with musicians who are involved in the local scene. My aim is to produce two new video works inspired by the collaborations and encounters I will have while I'm in Sheffield."
Mike Braddick, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield, said: "There is an incredible amount of artistic potential in the city of Sheffield and we're delighted that our faculty is helping to encourage and promote it. The occursus group is a fantastic example of how our faculty can act as a catalyst for creativity and enable the arts to be enjoyed by a wider audience."
Notes for Editors: If you would like to attend the private view of the exhibition on Thursday 27 October please contact Kirsty MacDonald (kirsty.macdonald@dlapiper.com)
occursus is a Latin word meaning: a meeting; to run or bump into each other.
To find out more about occursus, visit: occursus
For further information please contact: Amy Stone, Media Relations Officer, on 0114 2221046 or email a.f.stone@sheffield.ac.uk