In an ongoing series at g39, the artists in tibrO yalP were invited to respond to Play Orbit, an experimental exhibition first shown at the 1969 National Eisteddfod of Wales in Fflint and then at the ICA. Play Orbit was curated by Jasia Reichardt (then Assistant Director of the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London) in collaboration with Peter Jones of the Welsh Arts Council.
That exhibition consisted of ‘toys, games, and playables [produced] by people not professionally involved with the design of playthings, but who work in the field of the visual arts’.
While our show continues to centre around play, it is play of all kinds; play as a political tool, in opposition to 'work', play where it is not viewed instrumentally as an early-years vehicle to learning that we’re encouraged to eventually set aside.
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Engaging with gender fluidity and class structures this solo exhibition will also be produced with collaborators CommonWealth, Llanrumney. Amateur dramatics, the Drag King scene and autobiography are recurring themes in Ashill's work, which they use to explore and navigate gender identity. Funny and playful Ashill uses the do-it-yourself aesthetics of amateur dramatics to create costumes and sets in which they perform.
Now we're open again the warp Library is open, a de-instututional resource for all. The collection mainly houses artist books, arts-related reference books, zines and pamphlets. These span from the socio-political to the experimental, from 60s avant-garde retrospectives to contemporary exhibition publications; and hopefully everything in between. This in an ever-developing, growing collection.