They Told Me a Tale & The History Laboratory
Field Notes2015
A Field Notes publication documenting two exhibitions that explored the intriguing and eclectic collection of Penryn Museum. They Told Me A Tale presented new works by artists Richard Baines and Matthew Benington as part of national scheme New Expressions 3. Both artists travelled through time and local history to make new work. Richard followed the travels of a narwhal tusk from Penryn to Canada and back to Penryn; discovering shanties that chart early voyages to Newfoundland. Matt’s journey into the museum’s collection focused on discovering the stories and faces of the town; his large scale etching is based on an old photograph of Penryn Town Hall and Museum. The History Laboratory was an exhibition of work by Falmouth University Fine Art and Contemporary Craft students, testing out different approaches to making work inspired by Penryn’s past; from bizarre newspaper clippings, to a dysfunctional fire service and a unique loving cup. The publication brings together the two projects, giving an introduction to each artist’s practice and an insight into their approach for the commissions and exhibition. Click on the images below to see some of the pages, or head to Issuu to view the work in full.
FUNDERS AND PARTNERS
In 2015, Field Notes worked with Penryn Museum on They Told Me a Tale as part of New Expressions 3, a national Arts Council England pathfinder project aiming to unlock the creative potential of museums by enabling them to work collaboratively with and commission new works by contemporary artists. We invited two early career artists, Richard Baines and Matthew Benington, to make new work for the museum in response to its historic collection. Richard followed the travels of a narwhal tusk from Penryn to Canada and back to Penryn whilst Matthew’s journey into the collection focused on discovering the stories and faces of the town. During the project Field Notes also ran the History Laboratory, a programme that responded to the museum’s collection and the new commissions, with events including an exhibition, artist talks, a historic tour of the town and a museum zine workshop.
Penryn Museum and The History Laboratory were supported by a New Opportunities Award as part of New Expressions 3, a national Arts Council England pathfinder project, and delivered in partnership with Penryn Museum.
Penryn Museum and The History Laboratory were supported by a New Opportunities Award as part of New Expressions 3, a national Arts Council England pathfinder project, and delivered in partnership with Penryn Museum.
GET IN TOUCH:
info@fieldnotes.org.ukThe development of this website was supported by Cultivator Cornwall
