University of Winchester to host exhibition of Winchester artists work

Andrew Carnie’s show, Being Human: Seeing Ourselves, promises to be a unique artist’s exploration of the body; how it works and how it interacts with the cycles of nature.

Andrew said: “I have been doing research into sleep and circadian rhythms. We all need restorative sleep but a lot of us, especially students and young people, don’t have good sleep patterns because of stress and spending too much time looking at their phones and computers.”

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Many of the works will feature three-quarter life-size anatomical images of Andrew’s own body made from laser-cut latticework. In addition to drawings and watercolours, the exhibition also features inflatables and drawing machines.

'Keeping Us' (Image: University of Winchester)The inflatables, made from cloth-covered weather balloons, and measuring 1.4m across, inflate and deflate as though breathing.

Solar-powered drawing machines add random marks to existing works showing that our bodies are subject to influences beyond our control.

The two drawing machines were made with the help of Bryn Lloyd, a practising artist from Southampton currently working at the University of Winchester.

Bryn said: “Sometimes the drawings take minutes, sometimes I leave them on for days.

“Sometimes the canvas is spinning at the same time as the machine’s arms are moving. If a piece breaks or one of the motors burns out that is all part of the process.”

These new physical formats represent a change of direction for Andrew whose most recent projects have been large-scale immersive works using video projections.

Also incorporated in Being Human is art produced by University staff and students at workshops run by Andrew.

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In Plant (Image: University of Winchester)Their work has become part of a series of ‘pocket grid paintings’ which are made up of images within clear plastic envelopes normally used to display postcards.

Although Andrew is a resident of Winchester he rarely exhibits in the UK and the West Downs show offers a rare chance for his hometown to see his work.

His art is highly regarded in Europe and the USA, where he is known as an early advocate for Art-Science collaboration. In recent years he has staged major exhibitions in Madrid, Barcelona, Copenhagen, San Diego, Riga and Kansas.

Being Human: Seeing Ourselves will run at the West Downs Gallery from October 11 to December 15.