project:

1994

JOSS

the ac t of giv ing or tak ing one thing in return for another

SHORT INTRO

This document celebrates the cultural exchanges, which

happened through Spike Island. Focusing mainly on

the ‘Enschede exchange’ in 1994. Through this simple

exchange these Artist were given a huge opportunity

to further their work. The artist hands on approach and

dedication highlights the fact that any inspiring Artist

can achieve and still 20 years on they are still working in

creative industries.

JOSS

In 1976, the artist studio project Artspace Bristol was established. By 1980

the studio had expanded and evolved. The group had begun education

programmes, exhibitions, residences, international exchanges and public art

projects.

In 1991 a developer purchased the Artspace with the aim to demolish. The

artist campaigned to secure a new permanent home with local support, letters

to the council and petition containing 12,000 signatures meant they were

secured with an ideal building – A former tea-packing factory close to the

original Artspace.

Spring 1998 Spike Island was launched as a public gallery giving workspace

and office space to creative industries.

“2007 the building was re-launched as a centre for the promotion and

production of contemporary art”.

Spike Island aim is to have art in the centre of society supporting artists and

creating a creative community. Spike Island developed opportunities with

artists to collaborate and have exchanges with other artists around the world.

Tel. +44 (0) 117 929 2266

133 Cumber land RoadBr istol BS1 6UKUnited K ingdom

Spike Island offers a professional environment for artist to explore and develop their ideas. Since the opening of Spike Island they have worked closely with artists from all around the world to create connections but more importantly allow artist to collaborate and exchange.

Bristol is one of the most populated areas in Southwest, England, full of history and rich in culture. Bristol has developed a thriving art culture in fine and street art. Bristol is full of inspiration with period architecture, bold urban art and beautiful scenery.

Five artists from Bristol were given the chance to present their work abroad. Working with the ‘Enschede exchange’ gave them a strong foundation to their careers, Alison Denyer and Phil Toy both participated in the exchange and have continued to be successful in the creative industries.

Her work consists of conceptual approaches to mapping using aerial views of the earth’s surface to create striking aesthetics. There is strong emphasis in her drawings and paintings to create layers, giving the viewer an amalgamation of both the seen and unseen.

Her work plays with the notion of scale and presents an aesthetic ambiguity similar to that seen from both macro and micro viewpoints.

PHIL TOYHis fascination with beliefs, iraationality and order is apparent in his early work, and has since been sustained throughout the work he makes, working with sculpture, installation, painting, film and photography.

His most current work uses layered photographs with a montage effect, taking inspiration from German Romanticism and Film Noir.

MAP OF EXCHANGELOCATIONS

Lepzig

Iceland

Norway

Denmark

Portugal

Ireland

Haanover

Enschede

The map illustrates previous exchanges made by spike island with countries all around Europe.

JOSS

Enschede is one of the many examples of successful exchanges, which happened in Spike Island. The group of independent artists from a small town called Enschede, hand-made a profile with images of their work and details about themselves. The five artists were then given the opportunity in 1994 to present their artwork in Bristol, Kingstreet Gallery.

“Enschede has beautiful surroundings. Where the city ends, the characteristic landscape with it woods, tracts of farmland, fens and moor begin.”

Enschede is a city situated in eastern Netherlands in the province of Overijssel, populating around 150,000 people. Enschede is famous for its textile industry, which !ourished in the 19th century with the introduction of the steam engines, which increased production.

Nowadays, the textiles history is still a huge part of Enschede appeal with a museum dedicated to it.

EnschedeBr istol

After over 4 months of letters, grants and insurance details the artist form Bristol and Enschede were able to exchange. The process was strenuous however very worth while as it was a strong stepping-stone in their careers.

The following profiles shows the original information submitted to Spike Island.

The profiles are the raw beginnings to their process of exchange.

QUOTE

JOSS

ARTIST PROFILES

JOSS

ARTIST PROFILES

Theun Hetterscheid was born 14th of December 1957. He studied at the Institute of the Arts, Aki, in Enschede. Hetterscheid still works and live in Enschede and on April the 10th 2011 had a small exhibition, which was very successful holding some of his more recent paintings.

‘Greetings, Theun Hetterscheid.p.s. this is the "rst time in my life I am writing a message in English.’

A few examples he sent us of his current work

HELGA

JOSS

ARTIST PROFILES

Hanneke Klein Wassink was born 12th of July. She also studied at the institute of Arts, Aki, in Enschede where she specialised in drawing and painting. Wassink main influence was the surroundings and scenery around her. Even today her art work consists of detailed paintings of the landscape outside her studio.

Examples of her current work

FRANS HAAN

BENEFITSEXCHANGE

“I’ve found valued ‘critical friends’ amongst the Associate membership.. . I ’ve appreciated these opportunities to test out ideas and experience new work with an engaged and supportive group of artists.”

An international exchange is an enriching experience on many levels. An exchange enhances your professional development, pushes your creative ideas and strengthens your multicultural understanding. Personally there are benefits you are taken out of your comfort zone and given new sources for inspiration. Working closely with new professional cliental offers a different outlook to their work and also the chance to showcase it to a wider audience.

For the Enschede exchange it gave the group of artist an opportunity to research and learn in a new environment which was challenging however very rewarding. The exchange proved to be successful as after 20 years on they are stil l thriving artists.

“Spike Island is an international Centre for the development of contemporary art and design. A vibrant hub for production, presentation and debate, it invites audiences to engage directly with creative practices through participation and discussion”.

Spike Island supports artists from around the world, creating a creative and professional environment. Working with such a diverse group of artists, writers and other creative practitioners the company offer a dynamic experience. Collaborations with other countries give Spike Island International recognition and unique opportunities.