Testing Ground (exhibition)

About the exhibition

This exhibition brings together five artists selected to take part in the national Artists Access to Art Colleges (AA2A) artist residency scheme in the School of Design and Creative Arts at Loughborough University. The work on display showcases a selection of their diverse projects ongoing since October 2024.

Jessica Mason has been mainly working within the ceramics workshop during the residency, as well as the print workshop. Exploring the art of mark making within her practise; from drawing to mould to finished piece. She has made a small series of platters, using the vacuum former and plaster hump moulds to translate marks across different mediums. These pieces act as test pieces and catalysts for future larger scale works.

Theo Miller is a visual artist whose work examines printmaking. His motivation for taking part in the AA2A scheme is to connect to new artists, and spaces and to explore papermaking in relation to his practice, exploring and celebrating the very materials that he makes his work with.

The Sower motif, painted by Jean-Francois Millet in 1847, exists in various iterations throughout the history of art. The subject was used numerous times by many artists, including Vincent Van Gogh and Camille Pissarro. During the AA2A residency, Andrew North has attempted to expand upon the theme of a sower by producing a series of cartoon etchings depicting scenes that could feed into the narrative.

Jamie Seymour creates performances, sculpture, drawing and painting. During their residency, they have been focusing on printmaking and painting as well as interacting with students and staff on the Foundation art course. The residency has given them the resources and space to refocus their practice and work on various ongoing projects.

Ruby Waage Townsend is focusing on writing and illustrating their own fairy tales. These stories, initially developed through drawings, have expanded into paintings, performances, and the beginnings of a fairy tale book. This body of work reveals their personal experiences as a domestic abuse survivor, shedding light on the subtle forms of coercive control, with the aim of eventually creating a resource that can support and empower other survivors. 

During their time at Loughborough, Jessica, Theo, Andrew, Jamie, and Ruby have worked in a variety of settings and interacted with a range of practitioners and researchers. They have collaboratively designed this exhibition, as part of a process of reflection on the work they have produced and where it might lead them.

AA2A (Artists Access to Art Colleges) provides artists and designer-makers with access to workshops, equipment and expertise in host universities and colleges across the UK, offering them the opportunity to develop their work by undertaking a period of research or realising a project. It also aims to benefit students by supporting interaction with practising artists and providing them with information on self-employment, bridging the gap between studying and building a creative career. It is funded by Arts Council England and the host institutions.

Lboro Lates 

There will be a special late night opening on Friday 23 May from 6-9pm as part of Lboro Lates. This event invites residents and visitors to the local area to explore Loughborough's thriving cultural scene with a variety of events taking place across the town. Find out more about Lboro Lates

Please note that the exhibition will not be open on Monday 26 May due to the Bank Holiday.

Accessibility

There is step-free access into the gallery via a ramp and side door, which the exhibition invigilator can open for you. If you require the invigilator’s assistance, then please alert them on arrival by calling to them or waving at them – the entrance to the gallery is fully glazed and the main entrance door should be open to make this possible.

For more information about the venue, including photographs, view the access guide for Martin Hall on AccessAble.

If you have any specific access requirements, then please contact LUArts@lboro.ac.uk in advance of your visit and we will do our best to accommodate them.

Facilities

There are toilets located on the ground floor of Martin Hall including an accessible toilet. There is step-free access into this building.

Martin Hall Cafe serves light refreshments and is open from 8.30am to 5pm Mon-Fri. It is located behind the gallery, accessed through the main entrance to Martin Hall.

Parking

Please note that visitors are now required to register their vehicle and pay to park on campus. There are various ways in which you can register and pay (both in advance and on arrival).

More information on visitor parking

Public transport

If you are travelling by public transport, you can take the Sprint Bus from Loughborough railway station or the town centre (Ashby Square) and alight at Loughborough College. Cross Epinal Way at the pedestrian crossing and keep going straight ahead to enter campus. This brings you onto Shirley Pearce Square with Martin Hall on the left. 

View the full Sprint Bus timetable.

Image credit: Jessica Mason