Hippo Campus: Where We Learn

A group exhibition exploring themes of education

A group exhibition featuring works from the Arts Council Collection that explores alternative schooling, peer-to-peer learning and self-education.

In recent years there has been increasing concern about the downgrading of arts subjects in primary, secondary and higher education. With the rise in fees, closure of courses and loss of studio space across UK art colleges, artists and their peers are increasingly initiating alternative models of education for themselves. Hippo Campus explores how we learn, where we learn, and who we learn from.

Featuring more than 20 artists, Hippo Campus includes photographic images of schools and colleges around the world as traditional places of learning, such as Birmingham students by Vanley Burke and top-hatted pupils at Eton by Tony Ray-Jones. Devices for learning, memory aids, and the fallibility of memory are illustrated by works by Emma Kay and Mariele Neudecker. Mind maps and learning through popular culture are presented in works by Jeremy Deller and Andy Holden. The exhibition takes its title from Bedwyr Williams’ piece of the same name; Hippocampus being the part of the brain that enables memory and learning.

Throughout the exhibition there will be small forum areas with seating, shelves of books and monitors, areas that expand on themes within the show. The launch of Hippo Campus will be the start of a conversation with, and between, visitors to share their own knowledge and skills. A programme of talks, workshops, social groups and alternative curriculums for all ages will run throughout the exhibition.

Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange is an Arts Council Collection National Partner. The Arts Council Collection is managed by Southbank Centre, London on behalf of Arts Council England.