Classic Stories: A Solo Exhibition by Clive Edwards
14th – 28th January
Opening Night: Friday 13th January, 6-9pm

Surface is pleased to announce Classic Stories: a solo exhibition by Clive Edwards.

Classic Stories is a collection of images inspired by still-life art and great literature. The literature spans a broad selection of works by English and American authors, writing across a range of genres and centuries. The most recent works in the collection are Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo, Beloved, by Toni Morrison, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, by JK Rowling. The earliest texts are both from the late 14th century: The Miller’s Tale from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight by an unknown poet. In between are images inspired by Shakespeare, Eliot, Austen, Hardy, the Brontës, and others. Join us for this fascinating reworking of the written word in visual form. 

Artist Talk
Saturday 21st January, 2pm
During the talk, Edwards will consider two aspects of the collection: the cultural status of the literature represented, and the value of studying the texts and reading them for enjoyment; the photography, and how the still life component of each diptych seeks to represent a feature, a theme, an incident in the text. Edwards will be asking if the image successfully represents the literature, and on a broader note, exploring how metaphors operate in still life art and in literature. 

The talk is informal and will be followed by a Q&A session. The audience may like to suggest alternative metaphors for depicting texts in the collection, or to question why certain texts have been omitted -- or included. We hope that the talk develops into a lively discussion and a fruitful exchange of ideas. 

Classic Stories opens in the Project Space in conjunction with the International Postcard Show in the Main Gallery. As always, there will be a donations bar with ales from local brewery, Pheasantry

Free Entry: Everyone Welcome