Impossible Changeling

25 May to 1 June 2008

Beach Huts 8 & 12 (beneath Wish Tower slope)

Eastbourne Seafront

Towner Offsite is pleased to present Impossible Changeling, a new artwork by artist Caroline Wright. Taking notions of transformation and change as its central issues, the work will invite the public to examine their responses to familiar and found objects. The idea for the artwork was prompted by the transferal of collection artworks from the Old Towner Gallery to its new home, due to open autumn 2008.

Wright was inspired by Eastbourne’s beachfront and its recognizable stretches of distinctive pebble and shingle. Based on the Suffolk coast, Wright has become interested in the importance of the individual pebble and its relation to the surrounding space. She states, "On visiting the coast and walking along the beach it is not uncommon to spend time searching for that elusive pebble – perhaps the one with the hole through the centre, or the pebble that is a particular colour or shape. Bringing a pebble home into our personal domestic environment affords it them a status - separated from the crowd the single pebble becomes a treasured artifact. "

During the exhibition period installation, Wright will place pebbles along the beachfront – 142 in total – which represents the number of miles between Eastbourne and Suffolk. The pebbles will have been originally sourced from the Suffolk coast where the artist has her studio. Each pebble’s physical appearance will be dramatically changed by the application of a fine covering layer of gold leaf before making a journey to Eastbourne. The pebble’s transformation and subsequent voyage to Eastbourne mirrors the move of the Towner Collection from the old gallery to the new. Using gold leaf, Wright attributes each pebble with an opulence and beauty that signifies value and worth, taking it beyond its everyday appearance and function. Through the ravages of time and the vagaries of weathering and tides, the gold leaf will eventually be removed and the pebbles will return to their former state. Like the pebbles, Wright will also cover the interior of a beach hut in gold leaf, transforming the inside and inviting the viewer into a shrine like atmosphere; a space for reflection and contemplation.

Throughout, the public will be invited to search for their own Changeling pebble on the beach and to think about their individual responses to change, location and familiar objects. Should the pebbles prove too elusive, a small limited edition of Impossible Changeling's will be available in beach hut No# 12 during the exhibition period. The limited edition pebbles are encased in a numbered box and include texts by Sanna Moore, Exhibitions Curator at the Towner Gallery and Yasmin Canvin, independent curator.

Impossible Changeling is part of Towner Offsite, a series of artist interventions and events happening across Eastbourne town centre, celebrating the lead up to the opening of The Towner’s new home, autumn 2008.

Opening Times:

11:00 – 18:00 daily

Admission Free