Swansea students’ art showcased at global ‘Without Borders’ project

Students and staff at University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD)’s Swansea College of Art are amongst 300 participants connected to 21 groups around the world who have contributed to a new global art project.

‘Without Borders’ has sought to remove barriers, create alliances, and connect with neighbours and aims to bring creative people together, to collaborate in an international touring exhibition of works on paper – a collection of artists pages.

Without Borders has been curated by Jonathan Powell, Elysium gallery Director and Heather Parnell, artist, and co-editor of 1SSUE. The exhibition of artist works has now made its way from Kyoto to Nagoya in Japan on the next leg of its world tour.

At the end of this exhibition, these pages will be gathered together and forwarded to another venue to be dismantled and displayed, and then reassembled before moving again to the next location. The exhibition will travel the globe and at the end of the tour, the book will be placed in a special collection’s library.

UWTSD Cert HE Art and Design Foundation Programme Director Katherine Clewett said: “I am delighted to see that the exhibition has now entered its next phase. ‘Without Boarders’ Includes work by staff and students from Swansea College of Art in collaboration with Elysium Art Gallery

“It is an evolving digital project and physical exhibition, aimed at bringing together communities and artists from around the world.

“The exhibition title upholds ideas and perspectives concerning current socio-political boundaries. This project was an opportunity for students and staff to reflect on constricted connections, and to seek collective responses.

“Swansea College of Art contributors comprises students and staff from Foundation, Degree and MA courses, exhibiting in a variety of mediums including drawing, painting, photography, and stitch.

“We are again thankful to Jonathan at Elysium Art Gallery for inviting us to contribute to this timely exhibition and working with us as we follow it around the world.”

Jonathan Powell said: “A big thank you to Izuru Mizutani – Director of the Art and Mind Center in Nagoya for hosting this ambitious exhibition. Also, a big thank you to Masahiro Kawanaka & Art Spot Korin in Kyoto for hosting us previously.”

Artist and project organiser Heather Parnell said: “This exhibition and what it stands for has become more significant than ever. Freedom to connect and share with our neighbours, without restrictions and in peace, is fundamental to human flourishing.”

In response to the crisis unfolding in Ukraine, a special ‘Prayer for peace‘ corner will be in place at the Elysium gallery. It is a place where artists express their intentions to pray for the safety of the Ukrainian people.

(Lead image: UWTSD)