Observe, Experiment, Archive - The Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens:

What better way could you start the year 2020 then visiting a local art exhibition? As usual Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens have pulled off yet another extraordinary exhibition which was not only just pleasing to the eye but also very knowledgeable and interesting. Spectacular artists were bound together to show off their creative photography skills while throwing in a Scientific twist through: observation, experimentation and archive (Hence the title of the display: Observe, Experiment, Archive). It was compelling to see that each artist had their own topic which they all held carefully in such a beautiful manner. Each subject detained a strong message, these messages highlighted how impressive and life changing Science and Human actions/inventions can be when fused into one. I was deeply fascinated by all the work that was surrounding me.

To my surprise an artist whose work I have been following for the past 2 year was also a part of the exhibition, this artist is Mandy Barker. I felt overwhelmed when I came by Barker’s work as over the years of being inspired and looking up to Mandy through a computer or phone screen is the closest I thought I’d ever get to her artwork, so to be standing right in front of her collection ’SOUP' was just phenomenal. Mandy Barker captures the devastating effects that Plastic Pollution is causing to our Sea, from this it is obvious that Barker’s job in this exhibition was to demonstrate the not so impressive acts of Humans. Although Plastic Pollution is such an awful happening Mandy still somehow manages to illustrate it in such a beautiful way.

Mandy Barkers , Soup collection 2011:

Robert Zhao Renhui:

One of the artists, known as Robert Zhao Renhui, photographed and added captions to his work which then turned them into documentations that stated many interesting and even life changing facts. These facts were printed in such a small text that it brought you in closer, almost as if it was inviting you to become face to face. Facts on how a Russian Scientist had engineered the luminescent gene into a Deer to prevent roadkill in hope the Deer would illuminate when a vehicle is oncoming and how in Britain researches had produced a Cow which no longer grew horns for farmers protection also for pain procedure reasons, blew me away and made me think how unbelievable it all really is and just makes you think how amazing Science is.

Robert Zhao Renhui and another artist named Maria McKinney slightly touched upon each other subjects by involving Genetics within their projects. McKinney set full focus on the genetics of Cows, the shots she had supplied presented a view of the Mammals while combined with Sculpture’s located on their backs. The placement of the sculptures was to expose the selective breeding through their DNA’s which are being modified to suit Farmer’s needs.

Maria McKinney: Reproduction/Chromosome, Templemichael Zebo (FR2279) EBI Heading- Good Reproductive Performance:

Maria McKinney:

Another eye-catching photographer was Sophie Ingleby who titled her collection of photographs as ‘SEED’. The Portraits that Ingleby had on display allowed you to be a part of such a personal moment during the cycle of Fertility treatment. Personally, I believe that it was essential to read each statement she had placed next to each shot so you can understand the incredibility of this treatment.

Sophie Ingleby- SEED: Embryologist, 2016.

Sophie Ingleby- SEED: Embryologist, 2016.

Many times, when exploring other exhibitions I have viewed paintings and photographs where I have the choice to either: read the statements alongside the art and determine what is going on or to add my own story to it. However, when I was admiring the artwork here I felt as if I did not have this choice as straight away I was so pulled in and wanted to know more. Instantly every piece there generated a whirlwind of thoughts and questions throughout my mind of what was going on.

Behind every exceptional exhibition there is always a talented face behind it all, in this case it was multiple known as NEPN. NEPN stands for North East Photography Network, this organization is funded through the University of Sunderland and also receives support from The National Lottery through Arts Council in England. They done an extraordinary job levelling out all of the master pieces on the white and emerald green walls, all of the work was framed and mounted which helped give off a professional look.

Overall, I enjoyed this Exhibition and also left feeling well educated on topics that I knew absolutely nothing about. Each artist who took part did a fantastic job at the master pieces they produced for: Observe, Experiment, Archive.