Exhibitions

Not sure where to find a venue? - Find comprehensive details of all venues being used in the 2008 Bury Festival.

Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery

Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery is situated in the historic Market Cross, a fine Grade I listed building restored in the Georgian period and with foundations dating back to 1583. It was renovated by the celebrated architect Robert Adam in the late 18th century, providing a remodelled theatre for the townspeople to enjoy. Indeed performances of one sort or another have been taking place here ever since, not least when the Market Cross became home to the Art Gallery in 1972.

Inspired by the history of the Market Cross building, in particular its use as a space for local dances in the mid 20th century, Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery features the work of four contemporary artists who consider the theme of dance through the spectacle of performance and in various collaborations between artists, choreographers, dancers and spectators.

BILLY COWIE in the flesh; 7 - 31 May

In the Flesh is the enthralling and hypnotic new film by composer and filmmaker Billy Cowie. Experience this magical dance screen installation wearing 3-D glasses and you will witness a dancer come to life, appearing to be alongside you in the space, solid and real; in effect, she is there ‘in the flesh’. At the end of her four minute dance she fades into nothing.

In the Flesh premiered at the Paradiso Club in July 2007 as part of the Cinedans Festival in Amsterdam. During May In the Flesh can also be seen at the Brighton Festival and Glasgow Tramway.

LINDA FLORENCE sugar dance; 6 May, 6 - 9pm (performance starts 7pm)

With a fine dusting of icing sugar to stencil her intricate patterns, designer Linda Florence has attracted much attention recently for her magical dance floors. Bury St Edmunds Art Gallery is pleased to present this unique work with dance performances on a special opening night to celebrate our ‘focus on dance’ throughout May.

Come along and see Sugar Dance at the Gallery where it will remain, transformed by the dance steps of the opening night performance, until Saturday 10 May.

MORTEN NILSSON dancers; 7 - 31 May

The glamour of ballroom dancing is offset by the trials and tribulations of growing up in this exhibition of photographs by the Danish artist Morten Nilsson. Nilsson is drawn to his subjects primarily because of their clothes, make-up and teenage angst: "It's about basic training in being a perfect adult - a perfect gentleman or a real lady princess. But as with most teenagers - the teenage imperfection and diversity breaks through even the most perfect surface here and there. Though they try, they can't hide that they are teenagers. And it's these collisions I am looking for."

Morten Nilsson’s Dancers is a Ffotogallery, Cardiff exhibition, courtesy of the artist.

OONA RICHARDS backstage at the ballet; 7 - 31 May

Triggered by the passing viewer, Backstage at the Ballet stirs into a graceful yet awkward performance as it combines the elegance of balletic dance steps with the protracted, often torturous act of acquiring, practicing and accomplishing complicated techniques.

This automated sculptural construction is the work of emerging artist Oona Richards. Richards is a member of the Derby-based art collective Morph Dynamic Creatives and her work has recently been exhibited at Derby Museums & Art Gallery.

Festival Residency artist

During the festival period the Gallery will be home to the annual artist in residence. This artist will work with local schools, colleges and community groups to create new art through a shared experience.

To find out more about the Festival Residency and the Gallery's work visit www.burystedmundsartgallery.org

Stephen Walton Fine Art at 28a Hatter Street, Bury St Edmunds

Vernon Rose - painter and Markus Hartel - New York street photographer

Simon Carter - painter, recent works including new paintings from his Constable Country series of pictures

Cattle on a bright field by Simon Carter
Swimming in the morning by Simon Carter

Croasdales Chemist Video production, Buttermarket, Bury St Edmunds

A compilation of video work from both year 1 and year 2 students from Studio 18 (the video production course at West Suffolk College) will be playing on the large plasma TV in in Croasdales Chemist for the entirety of the bury festival.

Outside link - West Suffolk College website

Moyse's Hall Museum

A medieval building with local history and changing collections in the heart of Bury St Edmunds.

Saturday 17 May – Living History Event Linked with the new "Market" exhibition.

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