JOY…inspired by nature
Friday 19 July - Sunday 22 September 2024 | Monday - Saturday: 10.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 12.00pm - 4.00pm
Show all dates and times
19 July 10.00am – 22 September 4.00pm 2024
Feel the joy at our Summer exhibition.
Drop in | FREE
Acclaimed artists Nicola Richardson and Marianne Taviner of Vortex Creates have transformed the space into an eye-popping wonderland that playfully reconnects us to nature.
Joy transcends individual boundaries, fostering a sense of unity and shared humanity. Nature inspires and connects us to something larger than ourselves, fostering a sense of awe and wonder. JOY…inspired by nature immerses you in the wonder of joyful designs and transformative spaces.
Wander through larger-than-life installations that infuse the gallery with bursts of colour and delight. Marvel at Vortex Creates’ two new works that find joyous connections between creativity and nature. Discover dazzling works by local artists curated by Vortex Creates specifically for the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery.
Giant flowers? Check. Bursts of rainbow colours? You bet. Sounds and smells that awaken inner tranquillity. This show wants to connect you to nature, sparking your joy; and with the duo's signature bold and beautiful designs infusing every inch, you’re in for a treat.
JOY …inspired by nature features two special commissions, a scentscape by Gemma Costin and a soundscape by Ashley James Brown. Local artist, Abeda Begum joins the team in crafting the final installation.
Exhibiting artists include Aaron Law, Adele Mary Reed & Alan Van Wijgerden, Amanda Randall, Charlie Tophill, Clare Pentlow, Ekin Bozkurt, Gavin Munro, Hannah Rollason, Ian William White, John Simpson, Kim Hackleman, Mandip Singh Seehra, Michala Gyetvai, Petrica Bistran and Polly Merredew.
Events Programme:
JOY Exhibition Launch
Saturday 20 July | 10.30am - 3pm | FREE | For All Ages
Join our family event and learn how to make seed bombs that will transform your garden into a beautiful display of wildflowers, get creative with Posca stone art to bring some JOY into your surroundings, and create a vibrant and playful paper mask to take home. Plus be the first to take part in Dippy's Jurassic Playground - a FRE Dippy inspired early yeat's exhibition.
Vibrant and fun paper cut masks ( JOYful Paper Masks)
Saturday 20 July 2024 | 10:30am – 3pm | FREE | For All Ages
Simple paper cutting techniques are used to imagine their own unique flora and fauna creating a vibrant and playful mask, taking home something that can bring them joy in many different ways!
Scissors and glue sticks with paper, Participants folding and cutting different shapes and then layering on to a precut mask using glue stick to stick the different parts down. Can be imagery flowers and plants to animals and mystical creatures. Scales and petals, wings and leaves whatever brings them Joy. Ribbon attached so the masks can be tied and secured in place.
Hosted by Clare Pentlow
Playscope
Saturday 27 July 2024 | 10.30am - 12.30pm & 1.30pm - 3.30pm | FREE | For Ages 5+
Participants will be invited to use microscopes and kaleidoscopes to delve into different perspectives and discover play in everyday objects and materials.
Create artwork using a variety of materials inspired by observations.
This workshop aims to spark newfound curiosities about the hidden quantum behaviours at play in everyday objects and a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of the world around and within us.
Hosted by Jemima Graham (MIM)
Natural Voices
Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 2024 | Times TBC | FREE | For Ages 16+
Sound making workshop exploring JOYful sounds and natural vocalisations.
Hosted by Amy Kakoura
Embroidered JOY
Thursday 1 August 2024 | 11am - 2pm | FREE | For Ages 12+ (Under 16s Must Be Accompanied By An Adult)
Participants will be invited to learn basic embroidery skills to create a small hand crafted keep sake.
Hosted by Abeda Begum
Seascape Collages
Saturday 10 August 2024 | 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm | FREE | For Ages 8-16
Use the sea to inspire natural and JOYful collage of a seascape.
Develop a small collage seascape from recycled printed materials - discovering the joy in creating something from things often discarded.
Hosted by Barbara Jones
Pop- up Sea Environment
Sunday 11 August 2024 | 10am - 12pm & 1pm - 3pm | FREE | For Early Years
Visitors can explore our popup sea environment, creating mini seascapes from environmentally sourced found materials.
Final Fridays x JOY
Friday 26 July 2024 | 6pm-8pm
Book Online | From FREE* | Herbert Art Gallery & Museum
*Entry ticket and workshops are free with a bar available to purchase drinks
Join us for an evening celebration of "JOY ...Inspired by Nature" featuring a host of workshops, a chance to meet and network with fellow artists over a drink or two, and the opportunity to explore our new exhibitions after hours!
JOY…inspired by nature has been made possible with funding from Arts Council England Project grant and Culture Coventry.
Discover Vortex Creates:
Since 2008, Vortex Creates has brought big concepts to life through intricate designs and world-class making. Working across the events and arts sector, dynamic duo Nicola Richardson and Marianne Taviner have spent 15 years transforming spaces and igniting the imagination of audiences with their creative design magic.
Their playful style and creative approach has delivered commissions from galleries, theatres, hotels and outdoor events across the UK. With a flair for devising detailed concepts, Nicola and Marianne nurture ideas, inspire, curate and create art for the senses. The results are breathtaking, joyful spectacles and thought-provoking themes.
From a carnival to a city square, an ice rink and a rooftop, Vortex Creates generates engaging, immersive spaces that spark connection with the environment and each other. Experience the wonderment and joy of Vortex Creates - they always bring the sparkle.
Follow Vortex Creates on Instagram | Facebook | X | Website
JOY Artists:
Gemma Costin
Gemma makes work that privileges scent, which engages with and is inspired by mythology, folklore and botany. They embrace the ephemeral materiality of fragrance; exploring how olfaction can evoke powerful memories, affect our emotions, and has the ability to generate visceral responses.
Gemma believes there is more to art than what we can experience visually, and this is what they like to investigate in their creative practice. Visit the exhibition to experience her new scentcape.
Follow Gemma on Instagram
Ashley James Brown
Ashley has been working with Vortex to add a sound dimension to the exhibition inspired by the murmurations of birds. Ashley is an internationally respected artist and developer from Coventry. His immersive digital experiences blend code, electronics, and sound with narrative storytelling. His 15-year career spans cutting-edge software, hardware, arts, gaming, media, education, business, and charitable sectors. Ashley's interactive and co-creative artworks playfully explore game psychology, human-computer interaction, and nostalgia to engage audiences emotionally. His passion for positive mental health and social interaction drives thoughtful experiences for diverse audiences. An electronic musician under the name Arctic Sunrise, Ashley has scored dance films and performances, released his work internationally, and won the 2009 UK Laptop Battle Championship.
Follow Ashley on Instagram | X
Abeda Begum
Abeda has worked with Vortex over the past couple of years as a freelancer and joins them for the making workshops and in crafting the final installation. A self-taught, passionate Bangladeshi costume designer, she specialises in the design and production of costumes for theatre and dance companies. Abeda delivers textile workshops for various community organisations, focusing on wellbeing and promoting mental health. She has taught a variety of embroidery stitches and craft techniques to students and people in the community, at various organisations. As a British Bangladeshi, Abeda aims to be a positive role model for young women who might not traditionally consider a career in the live arts sector.
Follow Abeda on Instagram