On a dull, drizzly day in February I visited Interventions,the first exhibition of the 62 group’s 50th Anniversary year at Platt Hall, Manchester which runs until 19 May 2012.
The Gallery of Costume is housed in an imposing Grade 2* Georgian building set within
Platt Fields Park and I was looking forward to seeing how other members had responded to the Museum’s Collection.
26 members of the group are represented in the exhibition and the work shown covers the
whole gamut of disciplines.
The main exhibition space is small but beautifully curated. The contrasting styles of work
sit well together and give a glimpse into the ethos of the group.
The juxtaposition of Jeanette Appleton’s Dressed to Dine, a beautiful life size felted china
collection, the contrast of hard and soft reminiscent of the work of Claus Oldenberg, and the cast concrete of Ann Goddard’s impressive piece Secret Support ( Extra Firm Hold) was sublime.
images below : top : Jeanette Appleton : Dressed to Dine/ bottom: Ann Goddard ; Secret Support (extra firm hold)
Quite a few members used construction: of cloth, of paper patterns, of garments, of lace and of undergarments, as a starting point for their work whilst others found inspiration in the Museum’s Accessories Collection. Boots & shoes, hats, baby bonnets, bags, parasols, and neckties were all represented as was the Museum’s fascinating Button collection.
A number of members used collected and/ or recycled clothing to give a more personal
and autobiographical response.
All in all I thought it was a great start to the year for the group.
Don’t forget you can buy the new 62 Group book RADICAL THREAD which showcases and celebrates 50 years of the group at www.62group.org
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