Artemisia Gentileschi's 'Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria' at the Ikon Gallery, Birmingham
DESCRIPTION
Ikon is an internationally acclaimed contemporary art venue located in Birmingham. Housed in a magnificent neo-Gothic school building, it is an educational charity for the promotion of visual art of international significance, playing a key role in the cultural life of the region.
Ikon has commissioned Dublin-based contemporary artist Jesse Jones to make new work in response to Artemisia’s self-portrait.
Jones’s exhibition includes sound elements and moving images to create a cinematic space, while she also collaborates with Dublin-based dance company Junk Ensemble on performance tableaux that mirror Artemisia’s compositions.
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Audio description of Artemisia's 'Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria'
Curator's introduction to Artemisia Gentileschi's 'Self Portrait as Saint Catherine of Alexandria'
Stop 1, Artemisia in Birmingham
In this first audio guide from Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, curator Lucy Mounfield introduces the Gentiseschi painting, and the exhibition the picture has inspired.Stop 2, Artemisia in Birmingham
In this second audio guide from Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, Lucy Mounfield describes how a young, diverse audience in Birmingham are drawn to the contemporary themes in Gentileschi’s provocative painting. An immersive walk through a darkened Ikon gallery plunges us into the exhibition. Mirror Martyr Mirror Moon features work by Irish artist Jesse Jones. It’s a space where holy water, ritual and film lead us towards Gentileschi’s work.Stop 3, Artemisia in Birmingham
In this third audio guide from Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, Jesse Jones gives us a closer look at her reinterpretation of the Gentileschi picture, in her own words. She describes the process involved in creating her installation, and explains how psychic techniques helped draw her closer to Gentileschi in the making of the work. This guide contains an excerpt from the film: “Mirror Martyr Mirror Moon” 2024 by Jesse Jones artist. Music by composers Irene Buckley and Stephanie Lamprea with sound design and Mix Mark Murphy.Stop 4, Artemisia in Birmingham
In this final guide from Ikon Gallery in Birmingham, Education Coordinator Will Kew talks us through the activities which Ikon has built around the masterpiece. Ikon is at the centre of Birmingham’s vast canal network, and their Slow Boat - a floating mobile art school - takes their education workshops out into the city. A National Gallery audio guide produced by Mike Rucinski and Melvin Rickarby at Boutique Recording. Producer for the National Gallery: Lily Middleton.