Poetic Dissonance
Poetic Dissonance is an exhibition by Simeon Barclay, which represents the culmination of his tenure as Artist in Residence 2018-2019 at Girton College. Barclay presents a new body of work, comprising of photography which innovatively responds to the social and cultural life of the college. Throughout his year long experience as Artist in Residence, the artist has taken part and examined all aspects of College life. This exposure has given Barclay a rich perspective upon the social life, ceremonies, rituals and traditions that give Girton College it’s distinct identity.
The exhibition, located outside the Old Hall, is open to the public, admission free. Monday – Sunday, 9am – 7pm (until 28 October 2019). Visitors can pick up a free booklet from the Porters’ Lodge which includes a guide to the artworks.
The Artist in Residence scheme is, in short, part of a unique educational adventure with Girton at its centre. We are grateful to the founders and funders who have made it possible. They are Suling Mead (1975, Economics) and Ruth Whaley (1974, English): two Girton alumni whose vision and energy have, like that of the artists whose work they support, truly made a difference.
Girton’s artist residency dates from 2013. It enables early career visual artists to live and work in the College for up to a year. The hope is that their creativity will be influenced by us – by the history, geography and materiality of the site, by the Fellows, staff and students who inhabit it – and that our thinking and practices might in turn be shaped by their presence.
All pieces in ‘Poetic Dissonance’ are for sale and the proceeds support both the Artist and the Artist in Residence scheme at Girton. Please see the free booklet for some images and price guide (available from the Porters’ Lodge). If you would like to purchase any of Simeon’s work, please contact Tamsin Elbourn-Onslow via email: development@girton.cam.ac.uk or by phone: +44 (0) 1223 765 685.