Professor Paul Coldwell’s new artworks and accompanying publication explore the objects and stories around Captain Robert Falcon Scott’s final expedition, highlighting the tragic unfolding of his attempt to be first to the South Pole. Using printmaking and sculpture, Coldwell re-imagines aspects of this final journey to construct images and objects that explore the sense of loss felt around the world at the news of Scott’s death.
“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to work closely with Paul Coldwell on this exciting project, which fulfils the aims of the Polar Museum to encourage artistic responses to the collection,” said Heather Lane, Keeper of Collections. “The results of his research are extraordinarily moving, and we are proud to be the first to exhibit them.”
Paul Coldwell is best known as a pioneer of digital printmaking, digitally weaving together layered images that address themes of memory and identity, exile and loss. His practice often reflects his research in collections or archives to develop bodies of work such as at Kettle’s Yard, the Freud Museum and the Estorick Collection, where he curated the major exhibition Morandi's Legacy: Influences on British Art, to trace connections between futurist Giorgio Morandi and modern British artists.
Coldwell has established an international reputation as a print scholar and curator, frequently representing the UK at major events such as the Ljubljana Print Biennial, the International Print Triennial at Cracow. His work forms part of the permanent collections at the Tate Gallery, MoMA New York and the British Museum.
He is the author of the acclaimed book, Printmaking: a contemporary perspective (2010) and is a regular contributor to the journals Print Quarterly and Art in Print.
A simultaneous retrospective exhibition, A Layered Practice: Graphic Work 1993–2012 staged by the University of Kent, will be shown at the University of Greenwich 14 June -11 July for which a fully illustrated catalogue will be available.
Re-Imagining Scott: Objects & Journeys will run from 31 May to 20 July 2013 at The Polar Museum, Scott Polar Research Institute, Lensfield Road, Cambridge.
To celebrate his year-long research project at the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), internationally renowned artist Paul Coldwell will launch an exhibition of new work at the Polar Museum.
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