Andy Goldsworthy
Photographs of his creations from nature

26 July – 7 September 2003

28 beautiful photographs taken by Andy Goldsworthy of his creations in the landscape can be seen in this exhibition.

Andy Goldsworthy was born in Cheshire.  His interest in the landscape developed through working on a farm in Yorkshire when he was a teenager.  It was here that he began to rearrange the natural elements which surrounded him.  Since his discovery of the never ending possibilities of creating art from nature Andy Goldsworthy has continued to amaze his followers.  Talking about his approach he says

“I enjoy the freedom of just using my hands and “found” tools – a sharp stone, the quill of a feather, thorns.  I take the opportunities each day offers: if it is snowing I work with snow, at leaf-fall it will be leaves; a blown over tree becomes a source of twigs and branches.”

Photography plays a crucial role in his work because of its transient and ephemeral state. Goldsworthy notes, “I want my art to be sensitive and alert to changes in material season and weather.  Each work grows, stays, decays.”  For these reasons he photographs each piece there in turn the photograph becomes a work of art.

This is a touring exhibition from the Gracefield Art Gallery.

Some of his stone and chalk creations are in other gallery collections and Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum plans to show at least one of these works.

Keeping Cool:
Fans from the Art Gallery & Museum’s Collection

5 July - 31 August 2002

Now that summer is here keeping cool is crucial.  Before the days of air conditioning a fan was an essential part of your attire.  In addition to creating a gentle breeze a fan could be used as a means of communication.  Moving your fan in a certain way, a flutter here or there, and covering part of your face could all be used to send secret messages, often between lovers, across a crowded room.

Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum has a small comprehensive collection of fans dating from the 17th century to the 20th century.  They are made from all sorts of materials: carved tortoiseshell, carved and pierced ivory, feathers, painted or printed paper and lacquered wood.

Exhibitions Officer Sophie Wilson, says  ‘This exhibition is part of our ongoing strategy to increase access to the Art Gallery & Museum’s collections.  The fans on display have been conserved, in some cases they needed cleaning and re-ribboning and some had to be put back together again.  One of my favourite fans is a small Chinese lacquer fan of about 1800 – each tip has a tiny bird painted on one side and an animal on the reverse.’

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