As Portsmouth Open Studios Event 2024 (POSE24) approaches, running from Friday, October 25th to Sunday, October 27th, 2024, the vibrant energy of our local art scene is set to shine once again. This year’s event signals a new beginning for the Southsea art community, building on the success of the 2023 Southsea Mini Art Trail—initiated by Lynn Nicholls, Maggie Ambler, and Ally Ashworth—and rekindling the momentum that was paused by the pandemic in 2019.
Portsmouth Open Studios Event 2024 (POSE24), run by CityArts Portsmouth’s directors Deb Dodsworth, Gavin Hodgson and Matt Bugeja, offers a unique opportunity for artists to open their doors, share their creative processes, and showcase a variety of mediums and themes. This year, one location will feature four distinctive artists, each offering a personal glimpse into their artistic journeys: Ali Molloy, Laura Simpson (founder of I Tell Amelia), Roo Abrook, and Nusye McComish aka SouthSeaEyes Printmaker (yes it’s me). Below is a brief introduction to the artists and what they’ll bring to POSE24.
Ali Molloy – Wicked Problems: Art in Scientific Disease Representation
Ali Molloy’s work explores the intersection of science and art, focusing on the visual representation of complex diseases. Her theme, Wicked Problems, shines a light on the difficult and multifaceted nature of scientific issues, presenting an artistic perspective on medical conditions that deeply affect individuals and society.
Ali’s words:
Hi, I’m Ali. I’ve always been fascinated by the intersection of art and science. Wicked Problems are often likened to a Gordian Knot. One pressing Wicked Problem is society’s overreliance on antibiotics. This issue is deeply intertwined with our daily lives, affecting everything from the food we eat to job security. There are no straightforward or comfortable solutions to tackle antimicrobial resistance without some form of trade-off.
At the same time, we continue to explore the complexities of bacterial DNA. Bacterial nucleoids, which house the cell’s genetic material, can be visualised as complex knots. Their circular DNA is compacted and twisted, allowing it to fit within the limited space of the cell. This intricate organisation mirrors the complexity of the challenges our society faces.
The work exhibited will showcase my visual experiments and research as a creative science communicator both on and off my computer.
Ali’s own wordss
Laura Simpson of I Tell Amelia: Textiles and Mixed Media Art
Founder of I Tell Amelia, Laura Simpson creates tactile, emotionally resonant works using textiles and mixed media. Her pieces explore themes of memory, storytelling, and the passage of time, inviting viewers to reflect on both personal and collective histories.
Laura’s voice:
Hi, I’m Laura and I create under the name I Tell Amelia. I am a textile artist, drawing on other mediums, such as natural dyeing, printmaking, and bookbinding to create my work. All the fabric I use is reclaimed, remnant or excess, and I strive to create as little waste as possible in my processes.
The tactile nature of fabric always draws me in, and I love to create soft, comforting pieces with a subversive twist. I’m inspired by protest banners, slogans and affirmations, and am always looking for fun and interesting ways to tell a story or deliver a message.
I’m really excited to take part in POSE this year alongside such brilliant artists, and to see our different mediums come together in one space.
Here’s Laura in her own words:
Roo Abrook: of Ceramics and collaboration with Lynn Collins
Roo will be exhibiting a new collection of ceramics, collaborating with Lynn Collins aka Southsea Mudlark. Investigating female portraits alongside historical costume these ceramics play across timelines and include found items such as Victorian bottles.
Roo too will be sharing her voice in a minute or so.
Nusye McComish, SouthSeaEyes Printmaker
Specialising in relief printing techniques like lino and blockprinting, Nusye works across paper and textile mediums. Her art (yes I am writing this in third person, it’s ok, please continue) draws from mythology, animism, and the deep connection between nature and the human spirit, hand-carving symbolic imagery and older-than-time narratives.
Nusye’s take:
The Significance of POSE24
POSE24 is not just a platform for artists to showcase their work, it represents a moment of renewal for the Portsmouth and Southsea art community. After the success of the 2023 Southsea Art Trail and the disruptions caused by the pandemic, this event marks a return to open, shared ceative spaces, where artists and audiences can reconnect, celebrate and support the local art scene.
All involved in the Portsmouth Open Studios Event 2024 warmly welcome everyone to join in – where art will once again fill the homes and studios of the city – bringing colour, textures, thoughts, and inspiration to all.
As a nod towards Deb Dodsworth’s penchant for puns:
POSE24 is not just a platform for artists to compose their work; it offers a unique opportunity to expose audiences to fresh artistic expressions, juxtapose different creative forms, and propose new ideas that challenge and inspire. As we transpose our creative energies into shared spaces, this exhibition represents a repose for reflection and connection within the city’s art community.
Share your (sensible) thoughts on the significance of POSE for you – in the comments.
Looking forward to your visit to the open studios engaging in POSE24
