This exhibition brings together work created in the Artist in Residence Studio by LJ Furner and Virginia Orr, two artists at the beginning of a period of change and transition in their lives.
New beginnings and periods of change can come at any time in life - adapting and engaging with these changes can be both wonderful and daunting, exciting and challenging. Two former SMH team members, LJ Furner and Virginia Orr, were offered the opportunity to share the SMH Artist Residency Studio at a time where both of them were starting new pursuits - LJ in academia, and Virginia in painting. As artists, the studio proved to be a space where both could explore these changes, and they kept in touch with one another’s thoughts and processes via a small black notebook.
This exhibition brings together the work and ideas they developed during their time in the studio space. Exploring notions of memory, trust and connection, these works are not necessarily collaborative in terms of their physical form, but were each created in the same space, by two artists at the start of their new beginnings.
L.J. Furner makes work that explores sensory relationships to ecology, queerness and memory. Their work explores ideas of documentation and collecting, making tactile objects from found, altered and discarded materials. They are currently studying an MPhil in English and Humanities at Birkbeck, University of London. Recent exhibitions include Broken/Makeshift (zine library) at Sunny Bank Mills, Symbiosis IV: Liquid at Folk House Darkroom, and BLEND: Notts Book Arts (touring exhibition).
Virginia Orr’s work explores human characteristics and contemporary perception of age and beauty. She works with photography and has started using paint whilst studying at Essential School of Painting. Her interest in psychology informs her work and uses photography to inspire a dialogue around human characteristics and emotions. For this exhibition she explores TRUST through the lens of her former SMH colleagues. Virginia is a Life and Business Coach and Curator.
She curated exhibitions at SMH for the last two years, establishing the Gallery Cafe and Chapel as exciting and considered spaces. She has exhibited her photography at London Photo Show, Leytonstone Art Trail, and other group shows in East London. There is a permanent installation at SMH of her project photographing their garden; A Garden In Time
Contact: If you have any questions regarding this exhibition, please email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk
Venue: The Chapel at St Margaret’s House, 21 Old Ford Road — E2 9PL
Access: We are working to make our Grade II listed building more accessible, but it will take some time. Please note that entry to the Chapel is not step-free. If you require access support (including our portable ramps) and/or access to an accessible toilet, please contact us on 020 8980 2092 or email emily@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Opening Event: Friday 30th January, 6-8.30pm
Exhibition: Saturday 31st - Sunday 1st February, 10am-6pm
Tickets for the Opening Events are free, but registration is essential