The work of two Devon-based artists occupied two empty retail units in Exeter’s Princesshay in Spring 2021.
The project, called Trade & Exchange, was launched in November and was commissioned as part of Exeter’s COVID-19 Recovery Plan Building Exeter Back Better.
Led by Exeter Culture, it is funded by the Liveable Exeter programme, managed by Exeter City Council, and the Next Chapter project at the Devon and Exeter Institution, funded by the National Heritage Lottery Fund.
The project highlights the city’s support for the cultural sector and the importance of culture in the city’s recovery from the pandemic.
By transforming vacant retail units into art spaces, cultural organisations animated the city centre and helped to fill the gaps left by retailers.
The artists chosen were Emma Molony and Naomi Hart (click on the links below to find out about their artworks: Emma’s ‘Horticultural Gold’ and Naomi’s ‘Shell’). Both artists had the opportunity to visit the DEI’s collections to inspire their artwork and have been awarded membership of the Institution for a year, as part of this commission.
Naomi’s ‘Shell’ was on display in the windows of the former Carphone Warehouse unit (between Hotel Chocolat and Lush) in Princesshay, while Emma’s ‘Horticultural Gold’ could be viewed in the window of the former Visitor Information Centre near Dix’s Field. See the map below for directions.
Dom Jinks, Director of Exeter Culture, said: “I am delighted to be a part of this exciting commission. This work will bring something new to the city centre. It is encouraging and uplifting to be able to enjoy artists’ work and to support them during this challenging and uncertain time.”
Cllr Amal Ghusain, Lead Councillor for Culture and Communities said: “I really welcome this initiative in the city, it’s great to be able to support cultural activity and to see the city come alive again.”
Lucy Studholme, a member of the Liveable Exeter Place Board, which shaped Exeter’s Recovery Plan, said: “Exeter’s heritage and culture has always been, and will always be, a creative beating heart across the city. During this current time of restrictions across so many aspects of our lives and livelihoods, there are many forward looking people envisioning and refocusing its future in all its many different expressions. It is a great delight and joy to see projects such as these bearing fruit in our city centre, encouraging engagement and expression from us all.”
Exeter has a long history of commercial trade and exchange, and this commission encouraged the artists to expand this definition, incorporating the trade of ideas and the exchange of experiences. As a UNESCO City of Literature, Exeter’s new global status is an opportunity to delve into the city’s history and define its future, creating an innovative, sustainable and resilient, carbon-neutral city for future generations.
In developing their commissions, both artists discovered stories in the DEI about 18th and 19th century research into the natural world where women’s contributions were marginalised.
To mark International Women’s Day on 8 March, Arts and Culture University of Exeter invited both artists to speak about the inspiration for their Trade & Exchange commissions, paired with leading academics from the University, Dr Ceri Lewis and Dr Rebecca Lovell, who spoke about their relevant research in the natural and social sciences. You can watch a recording of the event here.
This project has been supported by the Cultural Recovery Group, which has representatives from Art Work Exeter, Blind Ditch, the Devon and Exeter Institution, Exeter Corn Exchange, Exeter Culture, Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter Phoenix, inExeter, Maketank, RAMM, Positive Light Projects, the Exeter Canal and Quay Trust, and the UNESCO City of Literature programme.
To find out more about Liveable Exeter visit the website. Follow the link for more information about the Devon and Exeter Institution.
