Printmaker Susan Aldworth currently has two exhibitions on at The Edinburgh Printmakers.
‘Belongings’ is an homage to her Italian grandmother, who came to London from Italy in 1924 and imagines the contents of her small suitcase, using 35 pieces of vintage clothing, suspended from the gallery ceiling.
‘Modern Alchemy’ is the result of ‘a collaboration with Dr Amanda Jarvis of the University of Edinburgh, whose research in sustainable chemistry explores how to make chemical synthesis greener, including recycling and replacing precious metals with cheaper, more abundant alternatives’.
Beautiful with or without discussion
‘Behind the Scenes of an Art-Science Collaboration’ was a panel discussion exploring the collaboration which led to the ‘Modern Alchemy’ exhibition. As well as the artist and the chemist, ASCUS Art and Science, which sponsored the collaboration, was represented by its manager Keira Tucker, a microbiologist by profession and an advocate for interdisciplinary collaboration. Edinburgh Printmakers’ CEO Janet Archer chaired the discussion.
‘Modern Alchemy’ is the result of ‘a collaboration with Dr Amanda Jarvis of the University of Edinburgh, whose research in sustainable chemistry explores how to make chemical synthesis greener…
The exhibition was available to view either before or after the discussion: it was helpful to have seen it beforehand, to better understand the topics under discussion. It perhaps spoke to the theme of getting a better understanding of art if you understand what’s behind it. Fascinating as that is, Aldworth’s work is beautiful in and of itself, so you don’t need to have been at the discussion to get a lot from it. Aldworth is fascinated by consciousness and what constitutes the ‘self’ – she was a philosophy student – and this exhibition is a testament to that.
Archer’s questions allowed each panel member to chip in where they felt they could make a contribution, but I was a little frustrated by her habit of asking multiple questions in one go, so that some of them went unanswered. That said, there was plenty of discussion about the art-science interface and the problems of each discipline being understood by the other, as well as the processes both Aldworth and Jarvis went through during their collaboration.
Bridging Science and Art
Tucker’s contribution was fascinating too, not just explaining about ASCUS Art & Science’s role in bridging the gap between art and science, but also bringing her own experience and perspective on ASCUS’s work and also on this collaboration. Perhaps I was just imagining it, but she felt like a bit of a bridge herself between the very thoughtful and considered scientist Jarvis and the sparky artist Aldworth. Perfect.
In a lot of ways, this was, perhaps not surprisingly, a rather serious discussion, but Aldworth is somewhat impish and fun, and when things turned specifically to the title of the exhibition – ‘Modern Alchemy’ – she told a wonderful story about meeting a man who had some gold, which she hoped he might let her have to work on. Despite her very evident charm, it was to no avail. She says she wouldn’t use much – so if you, or anyone you know, has any spare gold …..
In a lot of ways, this was, perhaps not surprisingly, a rather serious discussion, but Aldworth is somewhat impish and fun…
In the meantime, if you have time rather than gold to spare, do go to the Edinburgh Printmakers to see Aldworth’s two exhibitions – and all the other work on display in their galleries and to the lovely cafe on the first floor. This is a beautiful space with wonderful staff who will make you very welcome. It’s a wee piece of history of its own, and Aldworth finished the talk by heaping yet more praise on the support she has had there.
It’s inspiring and not at all scary for those who don’t usually go to art galleries or exhibitions, so don’t be afraid to pop your head round the door. Just go for a cuppa and something to eat if you like. And if, like me, you are inspired by it all, you may come away with your very own piece of art, made right there on the premises. I haven’t stopped smiling yet.
Featured Image: L-R Susan Aldworth and Dr Amanda Jarvis at Modern Alchemy_photo by Alan Dimmick
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