Jessica Lumb

THE PROJECT

tarpspace is a new mobile artist run initiative aiming to extend the physical and conceptual framework of an artspace. It consists of a large, blue tarpaulin and a basic wooden structure. At its most conventional these can be used to construct a 3 x 3 x 3 metre cube; but the structure, shape or role of the tarpaulin in relation to the artwork, idea and site is entirely at the artists’ discretion.

Throughout 2013 tarpspace will be travelling around Australia to facilitate the presentation of new art projects in regional areas. Proposals for ambitious projects were accepted from artists all over the country and eight of the best have been selected for tarpspace’s inaugural tour.

Works will be presented in, around or on the tarpaulin, or the tarpaulin itself will be used as the material for a work. tarpspace is intended to be a simple, flexible alternative to an art space and artists have been encouraged to experiment with ideas that challenge notions of what an art space can be and where it can be presented.

Launched in late 2012, projects have so far occurred in the SE of South Australia, the SW of Western Australia, Adelaide, Melbourne, and at Seaford Beach. These have varied from a more conventional gallery space, to using a tarp as a dropsheet for a literal landscape painting, a tarp tunnel at a music festival, an abstract sculpture, a giant kite, the basis for large drawings, a tarp island, origami cranes and a black tarp ocean void. More details of works can be found on our website: tarpspace.com

Currently in Broome, tarpspace will travel in a clockwise direction around Australia with projects lined up in Broome, Darwin, Cairns, northern NSW, the Hay Plains, north west Victoria and Launceston. Each project will be partnered with a member of the tarpspace team to facilitate the project and an established gallery in a city on the opposite side of the country. Footage from each event will then be broadcast live at an opening, creating links between regional and urban art communities.

At each location, the participating artist and the tarpspace team will also run a workshop for members of the local community, introducing tarpaulin as a material for art making and providing opportunities for the creation of their own tarpspace project.

At the completion of the tour, each project will be included in a publication documenting the tarpspace journey.

THE TARPSPACE TEAM

tarpspace is being facilitated by a team of three South Australian based artists: Henry Jock Walker, Jessie Lumb and Brad Lay, all sculpture and installation graduates of the School of Art, Architecture and Design at UniSA. Although we each have very different practices, we have often found crossovers and similarities in our work, in terms of either concepts or process, which has enabled us to collaborate in the past. Coming together for tarpspace seemed like a natural progression that allows us to pool all of our skills and ideas into one ambitious project!

HOW WE WILL ROLL

tarpspace is an offshoot of Henry’s Mobile Studio (HMS), a project by Henry who has turned his van into a mobile studio/workshop/painting machine. Having left Adelaide in May, Henry is traveling on an epic 20 000 km + journey around Australia, creating live and collaborative performances, paintings, installations and happenings in his wake.

Henry will be the main hands on facilitator for each project as he travels and HMS will form the basic mode of transportation for tarpspace and its materials.

While Henry is on the road, Jessie and Brad will provide logistical and administration support from our home base in Adelaide, travelling to project locations when possible to provide additional support and/or travelling to partner galleries to assist with the live screening of events.

WHERE YOUR MONEY WILL GO

Through your support we are aiming to reach a target of $3300, a drop in the ocean of what it will take to get us around Australia.

It costs approximately $200 for each project. This includes a tarpaulin, wood, and general hardware (nails, screws, duct tape etc – little things that add up quickly). Because of the different nature of the selected projects we would like to present each artist with fresh materials with which to present their work. For 8 projects this adds up to $1 600.

A Telstra mobile broadband enabling us to screen from remote areas is $95 per month. For the 8 month journey this will cost $760.

The remaining $940 will go towards fuel for the HMS van.

$1 600 + $760 + $940 = $3300

Any additional funds (remember, there is no limit to how much we can raise) will go towards travel costs for the artists and for Jessie and Brad to join Henry for specific projects.

WHY YOU SHOULD HELP

tarpspace is about invigorating and connecting artistic communities. Having been (mostly) based in metropolitan Australia, we are interested in making things happen in regions beyond the reach of many arts programs. We want to explore what is beyond our own back step, exposing regional areas to contemporary art and urban art communities to what else is out there in this great country of ours.

The more you are able to support us, the better we can support the artists and the stronger the connections we make will be. Please help us make this project as ambitious as we are aiming for by donating and spreading the word through your networks!

To say thanks we have a variety of tarpspace and Henry Art goodies on offer – mostly made or sent while on our travels. We would love for you get on board the tarpspace journey. For more information check out www.tarpspace.com, like us on www.facebook.com/tarpspace or email [email protected].

Thank you! See you on the road!