#WeAreRydeArts - Ian Whitmore
In collaboration with fellow artist Chris Jenkins, I was involved in a Ryde Arts exhibition titled, The Chalk Talks, exploring the heritage of Ryde. As well as creating a large format sculpture of a shipwreck, Chris and I commissioned artists to produce work responding to Ryde and St Thomas Church - the exhibition venue. We also organised a launch party with live music and theatre.
“Ryde Arts projects always feel super inclusive to me, non-elitist, relevant, thoughtful and importantly, a little bit challenging.”
We were supported by Ryde Arts and the Arts Council England but given free rein in terms of reaching out to collaborators and utilising the unusual setting of a deconsecrated church. I was able to upscale my artistic outcomes, to work on a much larger scale than normal and spend super focussed time working with another artist. Part of the project involved conducting research with the Historic Ryde Centre who were able to loan objects relating to Ryde including an amazing tar bucket used to coat the roofs of some of the buildings local to St Thomas Church. Workshops with young people also played an important role. We invited Ryde School students to collaborate on the build of a hanging work representing the sails of a ship which were hoisted over the shipwreck. Students were upper key stage 2 and 3. We were able to include some work, upcycled junk jewellery, by one of the students and to list them as an exhibitor.
Ryde Arts projects always feel super inclusive to me, non-elitist, relevant, thoughtful and importantly, a little bit challenging. The use of different venues and sites in and around the town has also been part of the success. A lasting memory from The Chalk Talks was the packed launch night and assisting in the recording of a song by the Isle of Wight folk singers, The Dolly Mops, which was performed in the hidden ice well inside the Royal Victoria Arcade!
About: Ian Whitmore is a freelance artist and gallery educator. He went to Brighton University graduating with a BA in Fine Art Printmaking. He currently delivers art classes and manages workshops at the Quay Arts. Ian’s art practice focuses on the natural world, making prints (lino, cyanotypes) and abstract work (drawn, vinyl). As an educator, he designs and delivers bespoke creative workshops and projects for children, young people and adults aimed at developing skills, art knowledge, as well as promoting wellbeing.
Forthcoming exhibitions: Be sure to look out for Ian’s next school project, Natural Wonders of the Isle of Wight, exploring the Islands biosphere and commissioned by the Isle of Wight Natural History and Archaeological Society.
Contact: ikwhitmore@yahoo.co.uk www.ianwhitmore.co.uk insta @ianwhitmore4
