'Track Across Time' - exhibition launch at Locomotion

Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon is delighted to be working with Cluster Arts on 'Track Across Time', a unique exhibition of contemporary work which explores Shildon’s role in the history of the railways.

Cluster Arts are Tish Bloom, Carolyn Corfield, Vera Hynes and Michael Kusz. They work in various media including sculpture, ceramics, painting and film, and are joined on this occasion by guest artist photographer Graeme Rowatt.

Supported by Darlington College, 'Track Across Time' will be launched on Saturday January 14, and will remain on display in the museum's Collection Building until March 5.

'Track Across Time' is an exhibition of contemporary work displayed among the slumbering giants at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon.

Cluster Arts were invited to develop exhibition pieces which explore the museum site’s role in the development of the railways. The artworks also explore the link between the museum’s current role as a venue for showcasing vehicles from the National Collection and as a centre for developing heritage skills and rail restoration techniques.

Interspersed with the museum's permanent and visiting exhibits, their original pieces aim to add to the visitor experience by delivering an evocative journey through the artists’ imagination.

Tish Bloom's abstract paintings explore the material decay and consequent restoration to 'life' of the fabric locomotives, casting actual rusted pieces in paper pulp to give surface texture and using mineral pigments of colour. In others, she constructs a subconscious grid suggestive of both industrial and railway networks. Her mixed pieces combine nostalgic reference and stunning livery colours of the collection.

Carolyn Corfield's mixed media sculpture is influenced by memories of her grandfather, a LNER/BR driver in the 1920s to 1950s. Incorporating a projection of incandescent flame within the firebox of 'Sir Cecil Cochrane', filmed on location courtesy of the Tanfield Railway, she alludes to a time as a four year old riding the footplate at the end of his shift at Stockton shed. The 'Stephenson Bowl' series, inspired by early boiler plate, are a new direction for her ceramics; their highly tactile ash glazed surfaces resonate with the rusted metal of locomotives awaiting restoration.

Vera Hynes has used an unusual round canvas format for her vivid interpretations of both local landscape and the Shildon collection. Responding to the famous locomotives with an exciting palette of colour, her suite of paintings reflect the dynamism of the railway age while drawing on images of parts and equipment still in use today.

Michael Kusz uses inventive welding techniques to transform recovered metals into unique and whimsical works of art reminiscent of the humour of Roland Emett. Fantastical birds perched on railway artefacts reflect his passion for materials and keen sense of fun.

Graeme Rowatt’s photography concentrates on the people who keep our rich railway history alive. His work reflects their underlying dedication to the task of restoration, the tools they use and the unique skills they apply to transform each locomotive, facilitating this heritage success story.

Cluster's approach to exhibiting takes a decisive step away from the conventional gallery space. They have embraced the ambitious concept of designing site specific exhibitions to challenge both their individual skills and their aesthetic interaction with each other.

'TRACK ACROSS TIME'
Collection Building
Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon
January 14 to March 5, 2012
Open daily 10am to 4pm
FREE admission
FREE parking

Images attached:
A selection of pieces from the 'Track Across Time' exhibition at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon

• Graeme Rowatt – Jason and Trevor
• Carolyn Corfield 'Bowl 1'
• Michael Kusz 'The Rooket'
• Tish Bloom 'No 2'
• Vera Hynes 'Mallard'

For more information on events and exhibitions at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon, please visit www.nrm.org.uk/locomotion or contact:

George Muirhead
Museum Manager
01388 771440
george.muirhead@durham.gov.uk
george.muirhead@nrm.org.uk
Pam Porter
Events Officer
01388 771445
pamela.porter@durham.gov.uk
pam.porter@nrm.org.uk