Unstable Monuments

Artist Jesse Leroy Smith has curated numerous contemporary art exhibitions and projects in public sites and disused buildings across Cornwall that have brought together large groups of artists and local communities to reimagine these venues and their future use. His talk will explore how artists can transform places and contribute to cultural conversations.

In April this year an exhibition on the theme of 'Unstable Monuments' was held in the abandoned but historically charged Courts in Bridewell St, Bristol. The exhibition brought together over 50 established and young, emerging artists, performers and musicians to explore the role of monuments today. After the impact of Covid-19 the artists were able to work in the crumbling regency courtrooms and bleak labyrinth of cells to develop new ways to tackle the seismic cultural changes, so apparent in the city, highlighted by the widely reported toppling of the slave trader Edward Coulston's statue in 2020.

Inspired by the ambitious vision to transform the Courts into a creative hub to support young people, the curators, Jesse Leroy Smith and ex-Falmouth University graduate Mathew Benington, are now working towards a post-renovation show.

Jesse will share how this far-reaching project has generated dynamic ideas and artworks. 

Jesse is an artist working between Newlyn and Brighton. He completed a postgraduate diploma in painting at the Royal Academy Schools in 1992. He exhibits widely and travels regularly with recent teaching trips to Beijing and Scandanavia and published the hardback 'Revolver Art Cornwall' celebrating Cornwall's contemporary art scene.

Unstable Monuments

Wednesday 23rd Novenber, 6.30pm

Tickets: £7, £5 concession, £2 Student

A £1 Poly Fund payment is added to each ticket sold.