ARTIFICIALIA

New work by Bridgette Ashton reflecting on questions of replica and reimagining and on collecting.

ARTIFICIALIA: Fake Minerals & Fancy Plinths is a new body of work by multidisciplinary artist Bridgette Ashton reflecting on questions of replica and reimagining and on collectors and collections.

Three wooden cabinets house what appear to be elaborately presented geological specimens reveal themselves as appropriations of mineral-like objects. Predominantly modelled from ceramics, the sculptures also employ cardboard and plywood with embellishments of beading, flocking and fake gold leaf combined with real gold overglaze lustre. Showing in the window of the lower gallery and illuminated at night.

Artificialia Digital incorporates the physical sculptures into a virtual tactile experience where visitors will be able to examine 3D images of the work from their mobile device.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a fully illustrated publication with newly commissioned texts by writer & historian Ben Street and cultural historian Celeste Olalquiaga.

The exhibition ARTFICIALIA: Fake Minerals and Fancy Plinths is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and has been made possible with generous support from FEAST Cornwall & Redruth High Street Heritage Action Zone; Newlyn Art Gallery; Lostwithiel Museum: Auction House Redruth; Plymouth College of Art and Flock South West. With thanks to Natural History Museum, London; Royal Cornwall Museum & The Russell Society.