Peter Peri, Star of Redemption

LINES OF EMPATHY
3 June – 22 July 2023

Close Ltd, Close House, Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset TA3 6AE

Lines of Empathy is a group show brought together by Italian, London-based, artist Giulia Ricci. It presents 17 artists living in Britain today who are making hand-drawn works on paper: Fay Ballard, Duncan Bullen, Lucinda Burgess, Helen Cass, Rachel Duckhouse, Mary Griffith, Simon Hitchens, Louise Hopkins, Carali McCall, Onya McCausland, Anna Mossman, David Murphy, Peter Peri, Kathy Prendergast, Wendy Smith, Giulia Ricci and Kate Terry. The artworks in the exhibition are the subject of a new artist’s book, bearing the same title of the show, composed by Giulia Ricci between 2020 and 2022.

For some time, Ricci had been pondering the idea of an exhibition of artworks exclusively made on paper. In March 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Ricci realised the show wouldn’t be possible in the unprecedented atmosphere of uncertainty across the country. Instead, the circumstances spurred her to initiate remote conversations with each artist about their individual pieces; these exchanges grew into an interview project and took the shape of a book concerned with the tactility and materiality of the chosen artworks. The topics explored in the book have been particularly poignant and meaningful during the pandemic. The exhibition was first displayed at Patrick Heide Contemporary Art in London in February 2023; and now tours to Close Ltd Gallery, Somerset.. Driven by the book, this show is an opportunity to understand the practice of each artist in depth, through their own words, while simultaneously establishing exciting relationships between these artists’ works as identified by Ricci.

Lucinda Burgess, Borderlines

The title Lines of Empathy is a synthesis of the project’s main themes: on one hand the exploration of the process of mark-making while drawing on paper by hand, on the other, empathy as the act of reaching out into someone else’s experience. The invited artists have been asked to talk in detail about their chosen artwork on paper, with questions related to their choice of paper, media and processes used, their relationship with the body and the senses; they have also contributed their thoughts on the impact that the pandemic has had on their individual practices. The interview project has been informed by an interest in mirror neurons and empathy; the artworks have been considered as ‘vehicles’ for experiences which the viewers might feel a connection to.

Giulia Ricci, Order/Disruption 66

Lines of Empathy has also been a personal journey for artist Giulia Ricci at a time of great collective uncertainty. Inspired by Carla Lonzi’s Autoritratto, originally published in Italy in 1969 and only recently translated into English, Lines of Empathy as a book and exhibition is ultimately a form of self-portrait through the acknowledgment of other artists’ practices that have influenced Ricci in her journey as a migrant from Italy to the UK over two decades.

Lines of Empathy, installation shot

Lines of Empathy, installation shot

Lines of Empathy, installation shot

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Close Ltd is a rural contemporary art space set in the grounds of Close House, Hatch Beauchamp, South Somerset.  Programmed exhibitions as well as our ever growing permanent collection are available to view.

Close Ltd Curates, (CLC) presents exhibitions off campus. We collaborate with organisations and institutions to create outstanding projects that matter.

Founded by curator and art advisor Freeny Yianni RSA who is well known for her unique approach to the arts for over 30 years. Offering a voice to creative practice. She is also Chair of SAW (Somerset Art Works) a National Portfolio Organisation that serves to develop artists opportunities and inspire communities through their outstanding art engagement.

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Art, Creativity, Drawing, Installation