EXHIBITION: MELANIE SMITH AT MK G

The first major survey exhibition in the UK by contemporary Mexican artist Melanie Smith is ongoing at Milton Keynes Gallery. Melanie was born here - in Poole - but has spent the past 25 years living and working in Mexico. Her art takes form through a variety of media - painting, photography, film, video and installation, and there is a little bit of everything in the MK G exhibition. The show focuses on work she has delivered since 1994, relating to her experience of migration; travel, adventure and utopian aspiration combine with disorientation, dislocation and abstraction in the search for a brave new world. Watch the video Spiral City, shot from a helicopter above Mexico's urban sprawl, enjoy the films Xilitla and Fordlandia - the latter was shot earlier this year in the Brazilian Amazon, in the middle of the remains of an aborted city and rubber plantation from the 1920s, built by car manufacturer Henry Ford. Then soak in the museological vitrines, displaying hundred of objects, paintings, photographs, collage and clips, boasting archaeological remains, personal records and tourist souvenirs. They are remnants of many journeys made, and opportunities presented. All you have to do to experience the rich display is pop to the Gallery before the curtain comes down on the show on June 15. Admission is free. Watch a video of Melanie talking about the exhibition here: www.mkgallery.org/channel/play/melanie_smith_exhibition_video For more details visit www.mkgallery.org