FREE

As a trans person I feel the need for representation especially, as
my own body does not provide me with an existence that
functions socially as a representation of my personality.
My work is a complex
process involving the
capture of image data
from various media (scans
of photographs, digital
photography, painting),
which is then mixed into a
composite digital collage,
and printed. My intention
is to make use of the
various potentials of the
source media, combining
them into a final artifact
that goes beyond what is
possible in any one of
them. The finished piece
always contains a tension
between the originally
existing sources and their
absence in the finished
print.
Being selected for New Art West Midlands represents the end
of the first phase of my career, from therapy through education to
my first participation in a major group exhibition.
I have also been active with
the Art in Minds Foundation,
a Worcester-based art therapy
charity, helping to put in
exhibitions and designing
promotional materials and
catalogues, whilst focusing on
the graduation project for my
MA show, at the Birmingham
Institute of Art & Design, in
September.
During the last year I have
been progressively coming out
as transgender, which has
been quite a difficult thing to
balance with art – one of the works selected for New Art West
Midlands is a self-portrait, which for me represents a success in
what has been at times a mortal struggle.”
Amber’s work is included in the New Art West Midlands show
at MAC Birmingham from 13th February to 10th April.
www.amberwhittaker.co.uk
Feature
Boars Head gets new lease of Life!
The fabulous Boars Head, Kidderminster was set to close its
doors last month through exhaustion and struggles, which would
have been a huge loss for the heart of the Kidderminster scene
after all they have done to make things happen. But with tonnes
of support and appreciation thrown at them, luckily Sid and Sand
have gained a new lease of life and decided to continue! Yay!
We got a few words from Sandra recently:
“About November time last year, Sid and I sat down and had a
long sensible conversation (which if you know Sid can be quite
hard at times); we were both exhausted, skint and fed up.
Obviously we had good days, but generally since the 2015 August
Fringe Festival everything had become harder and harder.
As the year progressed, we were unable to dig ourselves out of
this hole and decided for our own sanity we would close the doors
on January 31st, going out with a bang with our lovely Stiff Joints
and Citizen Fish. Anyway to cut a long story short the rumours
started (as they do) and the response was overwhelming with
various offers coming forward. I had to announce something so
on January 11th we announced that we would be running not a
farewell gig, BUT a fundraiser, The Boars Head Benefit Gig!!
We have been totally and utterly humbled and overwhelmed by
all of the support, kind messages and offers of help from bands,
artists, friends and the general public. A lady from the life drawing
class came in and said, “you can’t close” and gave us £40.00;
People can be so wonderful. My respect for the human soul has
returned and most importantly all of this has brought back the
‘oomph’ we lost, giving us the drive to move forward, to keep the
Boars Head going. And you lot found it for us!
I can’t possibly thank everybody personally but you all know who
you are & from the inmost of the Boars Head heart we thank you
all SO much.”
Sid & Sand
Cozza felt really passionate about saying a few words, after
coming to an end as artistic director and nurturer of the BHG (Boars
Head Gallery) due to her own creative journey moving onwards.
“Thanks to Sid, Sandra, Melo, Kidderminster Creatives and many
more, we created a community art space that gave an opportunity
for so many artists to have their very first exhibitions and enable
them to realise their potential. I have met and worked with some
of the most creative people I have ever known. ‘Above Boards’
continues to be an on-going artistic tattoo on the urban landscape
of Kidderminster, again originating at The Boars; I am proud to be
part of that.
Personally, it has enabled me to develop my confidence to take
the next steps, expanding both my Life Drawing Class, which I
hope to continue at the BHG and my own personal study.
The Boars and The BHG has achieved so many remarkable
things, beyond any of our dreams. I owe no end of thanks to Sid
and Sand and all those who have walked through the doors.
Let’s hope it can continue!”
Cozza Harper
SLAP FEBRUARY 9