Neighbouring City

Apr 4 2008 by Gordon Dalton, Western Mail

WHILE a lot of art activity obviously centres in and around the capital, Swansea always manages to compete with, if not equal, the quality and range of exhibitions in Cardiff.

And when it all comes together the neighbouring city can offer a rather different art experience to Cardiff, as well as providing an alternative to the sometimes pedestrian attitude of certain artists and galleries.

Next Friday is a good case in point with three very different shows opening in three very different venues in Swansea. Although the artists are all Cardiff-based, I can’t imagine the city organising such a spread all on the same night. Maybe its pure coincidence, but Swansea seems to benefit from having various openings on the same night where as in Cardiff it looks like disorganised chaos when such a clash happens.

Anyway, Holly Davey’s show at the Mission Gallery explores the building’s past life and history as a chapel and, in particular, the marriages of two sisters (called Davey) there. This inspired Davey to create private performances which were documented and have become part of the show.

Over at the Glynn Vivian, Anthony Shapland, whose work is pictured, will continue his upwards momentum with a solo show of his slow, enigmatic films.

Shapland stretches your anticipation until a small everyday moment becomes poetic. This ranges from a streetlight coming on, the sun setting, late night revellers returning home or more bizarrely a Christmas tree catching fire by the side of the road.

Undoubtedly one of Wales’ best contemporary artists, this is essential viewing.

Finally, while the show at Elysium may not be so grand in scale or full of history, it is the last and equally as important offering from the Swansea scene.

Wisely hitchhiking a ride on the back of these two bigger openings, Elysium will open its doors for Sub Rosa, a show from Kim Fielding and Andrew Cooper.

On the ground floor, Cooper has incorporated thousands of poppies pinned to the ceiling of a specially built room.

CAFE Artistique will be returning to Swansea, Cardiff and Aberystwyth during April for another round of talks and informal debate.

Speakers include artistic agitator Mark McGowan (Swansea), Doug Fishbone (Cardiff) and critic JJ Charlesworth (Aberystwyth).

More info and dates at www.axisweb.org