Beneath The Surface is a project by Newport International Airspace (NIA) who has commissioned professional artists to explore and express their own interpretation of an unsung hero living within the city of Newport. Whether it be a person, service or landmark, the artists’ unique journeys have taken them to the streets to find a character they connect with.
Through their eyes, it’s been about discovering someone or something they feel gives the city its daily pulse and vibrancy. By looking beneath the surface and behind the scenes, unexpected relationships have formed and a whole new perspective has been found.
The exhibition and performances taking place promise to be a dynamic experience. You can find out what happens to one artist as he is thrown down the challenge by an award-winning toilet attendant, or witness the conversations unravel spontaneously through traveling around on a Newport bus with no end destination in mind.
NIA will be taking over the Project Space in Newport from Thursday 19th to Saturday 28th March for a multi media event spanning two weeks. Through an ambitious exhibition with performances and workshops across the duration, it will show how artists connect to the communities they live in.
The event kicks off with a screening of Massimo Salvato’s film, Jonny. The film is a documentary about Newport artist, Jonathan Sherwood. Through his eyes and the constant suspension between creation and demolition, we follow the diaspora that a group of artists is stuck in since the transformation of the town centre into a big shopping mall.
There is an invite-only private viewing of the film, Jonny on Wednesday 18th March, but tickets will be available to book along with the exhibition opening to the public from Thursday 19th March.
Featuring artists: Art Rat, Jo Haycock, Marion Cheung, Marega Palser, Massimo Salvato, Mr and Mrs Clark, Stephanie Roberts, Steven George Jones, Tin Shed Theatre Productions and Victoria J E Jones.
Beneath The Surface is funded by Newport Community Arts Development, The Project Space and The Arts Council For Wales.
The Project Space 