Art Collective Umbrella Debuts New Work at Depot Artspace

New art collective Umbrella debuts scintillating work in Estranged

The words alienated, isolated, marginalised and detached are frequent visitors to our contemporary vocabulary. That’s part of the reason new art collective Umbrella (aka USAN) have chosen Estranged as their theme for their first exhibition at Depot Artspace in Devonport, Auckland.

Most of us experience what it is like to be estranged; whether by nature of birth or societal circumstances, exacerbated by an internet-fuelled, increasingly homogenised world - we experience being on the outside. Rapid globalisation has affected how we participate in the world and the extent to which we feel a sense of belonging.

Estranged is a group show by Umbrella, a group of multi-disciplinary artists consisting of Barbara Smith, Rowan Belcher, Monica Seo, Ken Martin, Barry Ross Smith, Elsa Lye, Gitte Steen Andersen, Julie Woodward and invited guest exhibitor Denise Batchelor.

The group formed the foundations for their unity in 2008 through the rigorous Master of Fine Arts programme at Whitecliffe College of Art and Design.

Artist Elsa Lye says, “We’ve challenged ourselves to express how we fit in a world of change. Estranged expresses our personal responses to a world that has shifted on its axis and tilted into strangeness, with the common thread being the link to our humanity”.

Each artist has worked both individually and collectively to develop their ideas on diverse subjects such as the environment, poverty, technology, homelessness and personal relationships, considering the theme from personal, local and global perspectives.

As the project unfolded and their work developed, it became evident that many strands were connected and Estranged as a theme increased in poignancy and impact.

The Depot Artspace is elated to present Estranged, which coincides with its objective to raise social awareness in a changing and challenging world, and invites audiences to engage with the notions presented.

We anticipate it will provoke discussion and generate empathy for the multiple perspectives and ideas the artworks have unveiled.

Estranged officially launches on Saturday 30 September, 2 – 3:30pm, at the Depot Artspace, 28 Clarence Street, Devonport, Auckland.

Estranged runs from Saturday 19 August 2017 to Wednesday 6 September 2017 and is a part of Artweek Auckland. This exhibition has been funded by Auckland Council Creative Communities NZ.

Late night @ the Depot - Friday 13 October

As part of GLOW@Artweek, Depot Artspace will be open late with music from DJ Mints in Toast plus a meet and greet with a few of the Umbrella members.

Q&A with Umbrella - Saturday 14 October, 1:30pm – 3:30pm

Join some of the Umbrella members for a discussion on the differing notions of being estranged, plus ‘In Conversation’ with Raglan based artist Elsa Lye who will discuss her raku firing process and technique.

ENDS

Umbrella aka USAN

Umbrella (aka Usan which is Korean for Umbrella) is a group of artists who work in mediums such as Digital Presentations, Fire Kiln Ceramics, Installation, Sculpture and Painting. Falling within the Fine Arts spectrum, Umbrella’s work is versatile and contemporary, with a worldly awareness and contextualisation. Peeling back the very existence of identity as diasporic Pacific Rim practitioners, their work represents the most current and heartfelt topics.

Depot Artspace

Depot Artspace is an open and inclusive creative community in Devonport, Auckland that encourages engagement in all art forms. Depot Artspace offers a variety of facilities, services and events that support the creative community including galleries, a professional development programme, publications, a recording studio and a design studio.

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