Crescent Arts are pleased to announce the opening of preserve_konserwe.

Crescent Arts are pleased to announce the opening of preserve_konserwe a site-specific installation, at Woodend Gallery, by Anglo-Polish artists Ruth Miemczyk and Louise Severyn-Kosinska inspired and informed by their Polish heritage. It marks an exciting new partnership with Scarborough Museums Trust and Crescent Arts and the first exhibition for Crescent Arts since the start of the pandemic, and the organisation leaving the basement of the art gallery where it had previously been since 1979. After first meeting 20 years ago in Poland, Ruth Miemczyk and Louise Severyn-Kosinska connected over both having Polish fathers who had been sent to Siberia during the Second World War and then came to England following a route across many countries. From these early discussions and connections, the artists found they had much in common, both working with ideas of duality and both being equally fascinated by ambiguous connections and shifting landscapes.

The installation responds to the space and reflects the impact of changing borders, with sounds of words [should this say ‘sounds and words’? not sure what sounds of words means] seen through layers of polythene, and a collection of glass jars preserving the senses. The alternate use of black and white and colour is specific as a theme running through both artists’ work, with objects that summon up the continuous card playing and the ever-present crystal in homes, while the images of storks and salt from the salt mine at Wieliczka reflect the relationship with nature, and watchtowers and maps, place the exhibition firmly in a landscape of unseen borders.

Crescent Arts Curator, Martha Cattell comments: ‘It is really exciting for Crescent Arts to reopen with preserve_konserwe. The artists have created an immersive show which uses their own family archives as a starting point, to tie into wider narratives of story-telling, borders, displacement and memory.’ Quote from artist Ruth Miemczyk: ‘After lock-down and having worked in isolation on such a personal, emotive subject matter, it is wonderful to emerge with our exhibition in the beautiful light filled space of Woodend Gallery. I am glad to be able to work together with artists, curators, technicians, designers and all manner of staff, it is an absolute privilege to finally be able to open our exhibition.’

preserve_konserwe

Tuesday 18th May to July 25th, 9am-5pm Woodend Gallery, The Crescent Scarborough, YO11 2DF

Image Credit: © David Chalmers Photography Ltd

For more information about Crescent Arts:

In challenging times, with the dual impact of Covid-19 pandemic and the culmination of the Brexit negotiations, Crescent Arts is embarking on the next phase of its development, reaffirming its vision to be a vibrant creative hub rooted in Scarborough: responding to the need for equity and social justice by nurturing diverse artistic talent, connecting people to art and artists, making contemporary visual arts publicly accessible through meaningful participation and enjoyment, and working to address the climate crisis and support climate justice. It has established an exciting new partnership with Scarborough Museums Trust, and will co-produce public programme of exhibitions, workshops, artist’s talks and residencies. website: http://www.crescentarts.co.uk For more information about the artists: Louise Severyn-Kosinska: https://www.louisekosinska.com Ruth Miemczyk: https://ruthmiemczyk.artweb.com