Between The Lines by Naseem Darbey
A revelatory exploration of a missing life; shadow sculptures inspired by personal objects
Mary Louise Roosevelt Burke Butterfield's image survives in a series of mostly posthumous portraits in oil, stained glass and in the writing of others. Memories of her survive in letters and fragile remnants of costume. But her presence remains at the Castle, her premature death in 1868 sparking a building passion in her widowed husband that resulted in the extravagances of the fairy tale castle she could never inhabit.
Between the lines is an installation exhibition comprising of 5 stitched shadow sculptures and Darbey's central heart piece, "If your Heart is not nailed to Cliffe Hall' featured in Embroidery Magazine, The Embroiderers Guild.
Artist and visual story teller, Naseem Darbey explores the relationship between drawing and textiles, and through direct observation creates unique "hollow drawings" and 3D installations using a sewing machine as her drawing implement.
Drawing is Darbey's first and most fluent language. It is the method by which she tells stories. It is the technique she explores in her dreams. And it is the way she translates her stories into unique, bespoke 3D art works.
Darbey's ultimate objective is to allow her drawings to leave the page. Although her lines begin their journey on a two-dimensional plane, Darbey's transformative process results in three-dimensional sculptures.
Darbey "draws" freehand, constantly moving her sewing machine needle over her base medium of pliable water-soluble glue. When satisfied with her drawing, Darbey sculpts her work over a Styrofoam base and dissolves the glue. The only trace evidence of her intricate process is the solid 3D structure of her lines which have become a unique and complex "hollow drawing". But while her technique is remarkable, the element that elevates Darbey's outcome is story. Darbey's narratives are as viable and pleasurable as her sculptures.
Exhibition Hire
Running space/installation
The exhibition will be tailored to fit your Gallery/ venue. An initial meeting will outline variable installation factures- including required equipment.
Hire Cost: £5000
Exhibition content
- 5 shadow sculptures
- 1 plinth based Heart Sculpture with self-contained internal lighting.
- 5 Screens (3.35m x 3.35m each)
- Side drapes for screens
- Additional drapes
Venue to Provide
- Insurance to the value of £52 085 from receipt to return
- Onward transport (or return to Cartwright Hall Art Gallery)
- Replacement packing materials
- Gallery warding
- Attendance Figures
- Education programme and press/media coverage
ADDITIONAL (extra cost)
- Supporting specialist technical equipment and rigging projectors (The exhibition is self-run and is timed to switch on and off for easy maintenance).
- A full technical specification can be obtained on request.
Also available
Supporting exhibition tours and talks and workshops by Naseem Darbey
Further information
Sonja Kielty, Museums Officer (Exhibitions), 01274 436027, sonja.kielty@bradford.gov.uk
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