‘SHARE’ — an exhibition of Graphic Design

Review by Tessa Fox — www.tessafoxstudio.net

The Crypt Gallery, located on Norwich Cathedral’s Upper Close, was recently given a makeover. Over time the space has hosted numerous exhibitions; from student displays to the work of established artists and designers.

Donning a new grey interior, the space somehow felt cleaner and brighter as you stepped down into the gallery from the world above. This update in appearance was perfectly timed in order to host Share – a collaborative exhibition bringing together a contingent of five designers. Running from the 18th – 30th November, Share saw the works of Graphic Thought Facility, A Practice for Everyday Life, North, MuirMcNeil and Spin all co-exist in the beautiful underground space that housed not only aged pillars and a vaulted ceiling but also clean-cut contemporary gallery wall spaces.

Staying true to the exhibition’s name, the designers co-existed in equal capacity within the space. Vibrant, wall-filling posters were contrasted with authentically minimalistic white framed works. The 7-meter-long knitted scarf created by A Practice for Everyday Life lead viewers eyes down to the beautifully worn stone flooring of the space – an incredibly apt display as the work ‘featured an excerpt from the chapter ‘Walking in the City’, in which de Certeau describes how cities take shape as their pedestrian inhabitants map out places by walking. The real practitioners or makers of a city, he argues, are those that experience and use it on a personal level.’ The Crypt has existed under many guises over its lifetime and with names etched into its stonemasonry over centuries, it is a brilliant example of how inhabitants can map out an area.

Curator and organiser of the show, Andrew Campbell, took the time to ask each practitioner about their additions to the show. In their own individualistic design ways, each came back expressing their focus on the concept of ‘sharing’ and its importance. North, when discussing their poster design for advertising the show stated:

We feel it's important that the poster gives more importance to the people contributing to the exhibition rather than just the exhibition itself as that is the best way to reflect the nature of sharing.

The Crypt is an artistic extension of Norwich School and offers students the opportunity to see professional practices in place well before they complete their a-levels and potentially pursue a degree. This meant that each designer also considered the importance of their practice upon the moldable minds of the students that may visit the space outside of their lesson time. When explaining the spirit of their response to the brief, Graphic Thought Facility expressed the importance of students taking in art –

It’s quite likely that this fantastic resource could encourage any of them to become ‘creatives’ by trade, but more important is that they sustain this attitude of being confident, creative problem solvers in whatever they end up doing and this is the point I would like to share with the students at Norwich School.

The exhibition ran alongside the Independent Schools Art and Design Association (ISADA) weekend event. This included evening talks from Will Gompertz, Sean Perkins and Brian Eno – all of whom discussed and expressed their deep belief in the importance of creativity from a young age and the importance of ‘play’ in young artists and makers.

Campbell perhaps best summarised the entire weekend when he stated:

[…] all you can do is ask, the worst someone can say is no.

Further highlighting just how important it is within the creative trade to have no fear, put your name out there and hope for the best. Campbell then went on to credit his partner, artist Louise Richardson, for the concept of a creative strike; if all creatives were to down tools, how quickly would the government realise the importance of our work and cease to cut educational and governmental funding…but that’s another conversation, for a revolution to one day come.

Share felt like more than just and exhibition and perhaps the best way to conclude it, is to re-iterate the text located at the far end of the gallery space:

Education should encourage creative confidence for all. Becoming a designer or artist is by the by; creative problem solving is a talent we need more of in every trade. 

Quote from Andy Stevens— Graphic Thought Facility

The Crypt Gallery: www.cryptgallery.space

Graphic Thought Facility: www.graphicthoughtfacility.com

North: www.northdesign.co.uk

A Practice For Everyday Life: apracticeforeverydaylife.com

Spin: spin.co.uk

MuirMcNeil: www.muirmcneil.com