Things Fall Apart - Young Curators put on Pavilion show

THIS is the second time the De La Warr has asked local young people to curate an exhibition in Gallery 2.

The pilot Young Curators' exhibition in 2007 displayed work local pupils created during GCSEs.

This show develops that idea, as Polly Gifford, head of education at the Pavilion, explains: "For the first project we selected from previously created work, meaning the artists weren't part of the development process.

"Because we're a gallery who commission work as often as possible, we wanted the young curators to have that same opportunity, so invited them to commission new work.

"Young Curators shows happen around the country, but as far as i know this is the only time work has actually been commissioned for the project.

"The degree to which the young artists grew and filled the brief was really impressive."

The fifteen young curators presented their brief to secondary schools in Rother, and commissioned nine artists in December from colleges in Bexhill, Hastings and Rye.

Their work gives highly individual responses to the title theme, "Things Fall Apart."

Using an eclectic assortment of media, from plastic piping and mudrock to found objects and fairy lights, the show's thoughtfully unique nature reflects the dedicated space given by the commissioning process.

A scattergun of influences are on display, helpfully mentioned in the Gallery Guide, which also elaborates on some of the more personal themes in the work.

Details relating to these themes, such as Danielle Geran's dirtied and broken lightbulbs, the closeness of the black-clothed figure in the first print of Never Alone or broken picture frames around family photographs in Jessica Robinson's Let It Fall, are given new power and meaning.

The diverse nature of the show is part of its appeal, and praise is due to the curators who made it whole.

The collection makes for interesting viewing, but I most enjoyed details showing each artist's courage and willingness to experiment.

The cracked white wax on Grant Bingham's Chernobyl was wonderful, as was the weave of train tickets and empty blister packets in Leila Tetzlaff's suspended work, Barbara.

The poignancy of some pieces was offset by the wit and character of 14-year olds Paul Jennings and Max Lansley, whose series of photos depicting suspended moments of disaster are a pleasure to take in.

The students with the most literal interpretations of their theme, Jade Edmiston and Nathalie Blooomfield, both offer thought-provoking creations.

Bloomfield's ironic view of the economic crisis is manifested in The Melting Glode, which puddles at the viewer's feet, whereas 16-year old Edmiston's startlingly fractured human mirror should really be stood square in front of, asking the viewer to consider their own sense of self with each movement.

Polly Gifford said: "One of our aims for the project overall was to raise the bar in terms of presenting young people's work, and make a strong statement about how much we value that work. I think looking around on Saturday night that was really achieved.

"It was an exhibition preview, of something we're proud to present regardless of the fact that it's an education project. We are proud to have it in our galleries."

Sam Bilsby, one of the young curators, said: "I have enjoyed this experience thoroughly and feel very proud to have been part of it.

"The gallery looks fantastic, seeing it finally complete."

Things Fall Apart, until June 15, is part of the Pavilion's education and learning program.

Forthcoming dates in this programme include:

Thursday, April 23, 7.30pm - a showing of original short films made by local young people.

Monday, April 27, 7.30pm - Music students from Bexhill High, St Richards and Bexhill College will be presented with the outcomes of the current Art and Music Project.

For more information visit the Pavilion website at www.dlwp.com