On The Edge 2.0

Curated by Denise Bryan and Tere Chad

An Exhibition of work by members of the Royal Society of Sculptors

At OVADA, 14a Osney Lane, Oxford, OX1 1NJ

17th July 2024 to 28th July 2024

 On The Edge 1.0 was shown at The Espacio Gallery (London 2023). The exhibition showcased work by members of the Royal Society of Sculptors who had initially got to know one another on Zoom meetings during the pandemic.  The idea for the exhibition arose from discussions about how artists could respond during a time when the world was On The Edge, of war and climate change.

The title of the exhibition at OVADA, co curated by Denise Bryan and Tere Chad, takes a quote from the Ukrainian poet Boris Khersonsky: ‘Every hut in our beloved country is on the edge. And to be honest, I’m on the edge too. I feel sorry for the ones at the centre, but really I’m especially sorry for the ones in the camp towers, watching the frosty distance…’

Two of the exhibiting artists, Borys Krylov and Oles Sydoruk are from Ukraine and are continuing their practice as best as they can in Kiev.  Stephen Duncan, an artist and poet from South London, also showing work in the exhibition has recently been to visit Borys and Oles in Kiev and experienced life there first hand.  When Stephen returned from his trip he told our group just how important sculpture and art are to the people there.  It made us think about how artists involved in an exhibition like this can contribute a positive voice in our turbulent times.

The resulting work explores our relationship as humans to our environment and other humans.  Some works directly tackle the politics of conflict, how the world has been possessed and mapped. Other works highlight the effects that modern living has had on our environment. The exhibition contains works that are humorous, playful, comments, on human relationships.  Many of the artists included choose to make joyous works that celebrate nature and the fragile balance that we create on this Our Earth.