Body and Place
“Drawing creates reality.” Martin Morris
“Drawing isn’t only what is in front of you, it is also what is inside you”. Steven Walker
Body and Place is an ongoing series of drawing residencies which take the model outside the confines of the life room, in order to free drawing from life from its staid surroundings and to breathe new life into it. By placing the body within three distinct contexts: historic collections of drawings, the landscape of a private estate and contemporary architecture, harnessing the skill and passion of the best tutors and confronting them with artists of all disciplines and all stages of their career who do not habitually draw or draw from life creates a ‘still nourishing effect’ on the artists’ practice.
The residencies are for up to 10 professional artists per year site selected by open call by an eminent panel including Mary Doyle, Drawing Room, Ketty Gottardo - Martin Halusa Curator of Drawings, Courtauld Institute of Art, Roger Malbert – Independent curator and former Head of Touring at Hayward Gallery and Nina Wisnia, artist and patron. The residencies are led by visionary and innovative tutors in their field. They provide an opportunity for tutors to experiment with their methods, their ways of drawing and interpreting the body in the context of these unusual sites.
2021
theCoLAB Drawing Prize is awarded annually to a student or recent graduate of BA Illustration Animation for innovative, experimental and ambitious drawing practices. With the distinct aim to expanding our understanding of the potential for contemporary drawing practices. theCoLab are a curatorial arts practice, founded in 2011 by Claire Mander, that cultivates major commissions, collaborations and residences; creating opportunities and supporting the ambition of practicing artists.
A drawing residency at Owlpen Manor was gifted to the two winners, Chih Park and Simon Hamlyn. Shortlisted work will be exhibited at a dedicated exhibition in the Platform Gallery at Kingston School of Art.
The prize was selected by Roger Malbert, former head of Hayward Gallery Touring and Ketty Gottardo, Courtauld Institute of Art.
The residency was generously supported by Owlpen Manor and Nina and Samuel Wisnia and masterminded by Martin Morris.
2019-2020
