Abstract

For this exhibition Bracey was commissioned by curator Annabel Lucas and firstsite gallery to develop a new body of work inspired by research into zoo design and parallels between issues of display common to galleries and zoos. The resulting artwork culled from experiences of both, to produce a hybrid system of the two, a major concern being that the visitor to the gallery constructs their own route of experience, rather than following a prescribed formula. 26 individual pieces were made from a host of media. Although there was only one traditional oil painting on canvas, all of the work was a questioning of painting in the expanded field. Examples of other outcomes are photography, origami, laser cut acrylic plastic and my first foray into video. The work continued issues related to the miniature, and of several units combining to make a whole, both in individual pieces and the exhibition as a whole. The series was commissioned by Firstsite through a research and development stipend of £4,155. New work was shown alongside earlier work at Colchester: Palette (1997-present); an ongoing oil painting, Healthy Snacks (2002/3); a mountain of colour, created with pistachio shells, Clout (2003-6), thousands of painted roofing nails and Various Titles (2004/5); hundreds of small canvases. To accompany the Colchester exhibition, Bracey I wrote and designed a guide pamphlet, delivered 2 public talks and a Firstsite paper was produced with a commissioned essay by Judith Palmer. The work was featured in an article by Majeed Aslam in the publication, Garageland (ISSN 01749-9267) and has toured to Transition Gallery and Wolverhampton Art Gallery, with new pieces added to each venue. A 64 page catalogue Freianlage, published by Castlefield Gallery publications (ISBN 978-0-9521780-9-5) has been produced with essays by Judith Palmer, Dave Beech, Richard Morris, Chris Clarke, an interview with curator Sally Lai and 37 colour mages.