…. the rest is smoke

Collateral Event of the 56th International Art Exhibition - la Biennale di Venezia

Arts Council of Wales is delighted to announce that Helen Sear has been selected to represent Cymru yn Fenis/Wales in Venice at the 56th International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale running from 9 May to 22 November 2015. Wales’ first solo presentation by a female artist is led by Ffotogallery; the national development agency for photography and lens-based media in Wales, who will be working with Stuart Cameron, curator of Helen Sear’s first major exhibition at Chapter, Cardiff and longstanding supporter of her work. Press and professional opening dates are 6 to 8 May 2015.

Known as one of Wales’ most significant contemporary artists, Helen Sear’s practice can be characterised by her exploration of the crossover between photography and fine art, her focus on the co-existence of the human, animal, and natural worlds.

With an exemplary track record for producing high quality, conceptually rigorous work, Helen Sear’s current work shows particular maturity and sophistication, seamlessly moving between expanded notions of photography, sculpture and video, with the artist exhibiting great command of different materials and production processes.

The Cymru yn Fenis/Wales in Venice exhibition will be presented for the third time at the Santa Maria Ausiliatrice. Helen Sear will present an entirely new body of work devised for the rooms of this historic and atmospheric building.

The Santa Maria Ausiliatrice is a former convent now used as a community centre. The spaces used by Wales comprise the former chapel as well as a complement of contemporary rooms.
Situated midway between the main Biennale Giardini and Arsenale sites Santa Maria Ausiliatrice is on Fondamenta San Gioacchino. Just off the wide Via Garibaldi it is very accessible and easy to find.

Ffotogallery is the national development agency for photography and lens-based media in Wales. Its view is outward looking, with an exhibition programme featuring artists from Wales and the rest of the world. Ffotogallery seeks to widen its impact and influence through touring exhibitions, collaborations with other organisations and galleries, print and online publishing and an extensive education and outreach programme. Ffotogallery is a not for profit company limited by guarantee and a registered charity, in receipt of annual funding from Arts Council of Wales.

Arts Council of Wales has commissioned artists to present at Cymru yn Fenis/Wales in Venice as a Collateral Event at the Venice Biennale since 2003, celebrating the best of emerging and established artists from Wales. Previous artists include Bedwyr Williams, Tim Davies and John Cale.

On the occasion of the exhibition a catalogue will be published documenting the new body of work, and providing a range of insights/perspectives on the development of Helen Sear’s practice, featuring new texts by: Professor Steven Connor and an introduction by David Drake, Director of Ffotogallery.

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