Below is a description
of one of Francis' installation exhibitions which might explain a little
of the ethos of Soundscape.
There is also a direct link in the next paragraph to Wolverhampton Art Gallery
and the "Sensing Sculpture" permanent exhibition. Please note
that the website is in flash format, contains unlabelled images and there
are no plain text alternative pages at present.
Sensing Sculpture is an innovative sculpture education gallery
at Wolverhampton Art Gallery. Below is a description of the installation
and how it was developed.
Francis Rwama's soundscape forms part of the Sensing Sculpture exhibition
at the main gallery. He collaborated with artist Heather Steele to create
the installation "In a Sense" made from a hut structure
with mutton cloth, sand, spices, a lightbox, and sound.
The artwork is about the environment and our feelings about it. The sand
and spices are enclosed in long soft bags of cloth which hang like udders
or feet from the roof outside and on the walls inside. Francis' soundpiece
is stimulated in different ways as you move around the hut.
Francis and Heather worked together in a three day sculpture residency for
pupils with visual impairment prior to creating the commission, Francis
inspiring the children with sound and Heather with sensory materials. From
this they developed their ideas for the installation, both progressing previous
ways of working. I believe Francis collected his sound material from a visit
to Uganda. The final result is an inspiring collaboration sensory, reflective
and melodic. It's also fun. Visiting pupils go in and pretend to be Harry
Potter by activating Francis' soundwork.
You can experience "In a Sense" at the main art gallery
upstairs in Sensing Sculpture. It is the first sculpture education gallery
in the country and is designed to be experienced through touch, sound and
light. Entry is free of charge.
Rowena Riley
Senior Lifelong Learning Officer