Graduates, alumni, and associates of the Central St Martin’s 2022 Fine Art Digital MA exhibited some of their work in an intervention with an empty house in the Old Groveway estate, Milton Keynes, over the first weekend of September, in a show called ArtHouse.
The pieces were staged throughout the house and courtyard, making use of the unique upside-down layout, writes Mairead McCulloch Keeble.
The first works are immediately as you walk through the door; a screen under the stairs plays a mesmerising video of David Carruther’s moving fabric alongside a quiet audio track which seems to follow you through the house.
Directly above sits a shot of another of Carruther’s work, the colours and composition reminiscent of renaissance art, the photo displays fascinating movement despite its static nature.
The bedroom features many pieces including ‘selfies’ from Gigi Yujie Gao; unique because they are long-exposure photographs which don’t show the artist at all, but her movements.
A particularly captivating shot shows the ribbon of light tracing the distant horizon, set against an early morning lilac sky, looking as if the artist must have taken flight to produce the cleverly composed photo.
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Moving upstairs finds pieces in a variety of sizes and formats; from clay pots and sculpture, to reeds overhanging the cupboards and collaged paintings.
In the centre hangs a bright, geometric screen print by Sharon Paulger, the windows overlooking the courtyard backlight the print, making it the focal point of the room.
The shapes are based on seventies style tiles, but reflect Milton Keynes itself, mimicking the grid-system’s roundabouts and the logo of the renowned Open University.
Underneath are two cushions, upholstered in a warm, retro fabric, printed on them are the neon words “Don’t worry” on one side and “You will die” on the other making them somehow both macabre and comforting.
Overall the exhibit is both beautiful and confronting, not just because of the art displayed but also because of the location in which it is staged, and a credit to the artists taking part and the course from which they graduate.
