Abstract Vernacular continuing conversations

Abstract Vernacular continuing conversations

Curated by Talking Sculpture Making

12 Dec 2024—18 Jan 2025
Private view: Thursday, 12th December 2024, 6 – 9pm
Public Dates: Thursday – Saturday, 12 – 6pm

An exhibition of abstract sculpture and painting by nine multigenerational women and non-binary contemporary artists from London, the North and Ireland.

Many contemporary artists make works that are abstract, yet they do not define them as such.

TSM want to reclaim the word and open up conversations about how abstract sculpture and painting speaks to many through their visual languages which, through use of material and space refers indirectly to the complex world we live in. Visual concepts of form, spatial relationships, presentation and visual independence will become apparent across the works in the show, fuelling discussions that explore and dissect the language surrounding the artists’ respective practices and how they each engage with ideas.

TSM is an exhibiting and discussion forum formed in 2019 by abstract sculptors

Gillian Brent, Alexandra Harley and Sheila Vollmer. The group has an established exhibition profile exploring contemporary abstract sculpture, generating dialogue and supporting multigenerational women’s practices in the genre.

In this Hypha Studios show, TSM invites three sculptors (Katrina Cowling, Charlotte Cullen and Beatrice Galletley) and, for the first time, three painters (Jackie Askew, Day Bowman and Ellen Ransom) to show with them.

Each time TSM exhibits they host free public discussions about their practice, ideologies and experiences of working as women abstract artists, aiming to provide an inclusive environment for audiences to engage and respond to it on their terms.

The discussion for Abstract Vernacular – Continuing Conversations will be chaired by eminent curator and writer

Natalie Rudd at the exhibition venue, offering an exchange of ideas around the language of abstract art and the evolving nature of women’s art practices, including the parallels between abstract painting and sculpture.

  • Free tour of exhibition by the artists on Sunday 15th December 2024, 2-4pm. Everyone welcome.
  • Free public discussion with the artists, chaired by curator and writer Natalie Rudd will take place on
  • Saturday, 18th January 2025, 2-5pm. Everyone welcome.
Abstract Vernacular continuing conversations
Artists in the show
  • TSM
  • Gillian Brent
  • Sculptor
  • Alexandra Harley
  • Sheila Vollmer
  • Jackie Askew
  • Day Bowman
  • Katrina Cowling
  • Charlotte Cullen
  • Beatrice Galletley
  • Ellen Ransom
  • Natalie Rudd

Artwork List

W-rap VI
W-rap VI
Sheila Vollmer , 2024
Cut Bend Space
Cut Bend Space
Sheila Vollmer , 2024
Studies for blue detail
Studies for blue detail
Katrina Cowling , 2024
Studies for blue detail
Studies for blue detail
Katrina Cowling , 2024
Orange Ripple
Orange Ripple
Sheila Vollmer , 2024
/’trembl/ (studies for blue)
/’trembl/ (studies for blue)
Katrina Cowling , 2023
Lie gently, and the sea will hold you (studies for blue)
Lie gently, and the sea will hold you (studies for blue)
Katrina Cowling , 2023
Red Cloak
Red Cloak
JackiE Askew , 2024
Roughcast
Roughcast
Katrina Cowling , 2018
Acts of Transience (studies for blue)
Acts of Transience (studies for blue)
Katrina Cowling , 2024
Spinners
Spinners
Jackie Askew , 2024
Argumentative Map – Low
Argumentative Map – Low
Gillian Bent , 2024
Argumentative Map – Middle
Argumentative Map – Middle
gillian brent , 2024
Hidden Spaces
Hidden Spaces
Jackie Askew , 2022
Argumentative Map – High
Argumentative Map – High
Gillian Brent , 2024
Unfolding
Unfolding
Ellen Ranson , 2023
Plashy Place 2
Plashy Place 2
Day Bowman , 2018
Untitled
Untitled
Ellen Ranson , 2024
wasteland
wasteland
Ellen Ranson , 2024
The Buried Moon
The Buried Moon
Ellen Ranson , 2024
Flood and Ebb 2
Flood and Ebb 2
Day Bowman , 2019
Plashy Place 1
Plashy Place 1
Day Bowman , 2018
Rebirth Collective
Rebirth Collective
Beatrice Galletley , 2024
Liminal Spaces
Liminal Spaces
Beatrice Galletley , 2024
To disrupt
To disrupt
Beatrice Galletley , 2024
Astell
Astell
Alexandra Harley , 2024
Mariner Red
Mariner Red
Alexandra Harley , 2024
Dark Horse
Dark Horse
Beatrice Galletley , 2024
Holloway
Holloway
Alexandra Harley , 2024
Rowler Bowler
Rowler Bowler
Alexandra Harley , 2023