Duck for Darwin
A recent graduate from BA (Hons) Fine Art and a Graduate Studio Northumbria (GSN) fellow, has been invited to show his work at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the popular gallery on the banks of the River Tyne. |
Ben Jeans Houghton will be showing his work alongside high profile artists including Mark Dion, Dorothy Cross and Tania Kovats in the exhibition ‘A Duck for Mr Darwin’, which focuses on the enduring legacy of Charles Darwin’s ideas.
The exhibition looks at nine contemporary artists exploring evolutionary thinking and the theory of natural selection. Ben’s piece ‘On the Ark and I’ consists of a greenhouse in which he will be archiving and engaging with objects he has collected.
Ben said “I am delighted to have my work shown at the BALTIC. The process of collection is an essential part of my practice. As an artist this exhibition provides an invaluable opportunity to confront, disseminate and decipher the vast collection I have amassed over the course of my life”.
Ben has also successfully been selected as a GSN fellow at Northumbria, offering him a unique studio and networking resource.
“The studio enables me to maintain a working practice with the space and resources to forge a sustainable professional career in contemporary art and I am very grateful for the creative support” added Ben.
Keith McIntyre, a Reader in Fine Art and Director of GSN said, “Each year, the School of Arts & Social Sciences produces a fantastic cohort of talented artists across many fields and disciplines. The post-graduation period is critical in establishing a professional profile in the arts and cultural industries.”
GSN is one of many initiatives the School of Arts & Social Sciences develops to help support graduates in the first steps of their career.
Ben’s work will be on display in the BALTIC until 20th September 2009.
To find out more about ‘A Duck for Mr Darwin’ please visit: www.balticmill.com
Date posted: August 3, 2009
