TAKING UP SPACE is a mixed-media, interdisciplinary project - culminating in a multi-sensory, eye-tickling exhibition created by designer, illustrator and MA Graduate - Bobbi Rae. TAKING UP SPACE is co-curated and co-produced with Ellie Andrews and facilitated by The Gallery at Cafe 164 in Leeds. To find out more about Bobbi’s work, go ahead and visit portfolio.bobbirae.co.uk or for more about the gallery, check out their website: leedsgallery.com
Featuring an evening of discussions from a panel of female professionals working in the creative industries, plus a series of FREE creative workshops which are open to the public; the TAKING UP SPACE project aims to empower women by teaching practical skills as well as providing a platform to talk about - and to promote - ways in which women are working together to counter the disproportionate representation of their male peers in our work spaces. ALL events are free to attend and open to the public.
The project aims to question the dynamics of our social structures and institutions by asking people to look at the way in which women take up space in the male-dominated art industry… And consider that, while the vast amount of space commanded by men, and the art they make, might not be a concern for everyone, it’s a feminist issue that is far from exclusive to the creative industry.
The exhibition includes over 100 large and small-scale sculptures, depicting and abstracting the female form, as well as a brand new selection of never-before-seen prints by Bobbi Rae, which together, promise to bring you an exhibition which is both on-point and off-the-wall. Think Sesame Street meets Guerilla Girls.
The TAKING UP SPACE project is an embodiment of an important agenda which will offer a multi-sensory, mixed media experience, including free, public workshops and paid creative opportunities - as well as an exhibition, launch and an evening of discussions from industry professionals - which will be free to attend and open to the public.
The project has already been funded by Leeds Inspired, which covers the main body of the project, the majority of time, materials - and even a big poster-drum campaign for Leeds City Centre! However, your help is still needed to raise the 10% match required, for the public funding.
Leeds Inspired have funded a 4 week exhibition period in June 2020. A portion of funds received through Crowdfunder will be used to extend the exhibition for a further 2 weeks, meaning greater opportunity for visitors to come and fill their eyes. All other funds raised will be used to provide paid work for local creatives in a variety of freelance roles over a 4 month period in 2020. Funds will also be used to buy materials for workshops which will be facilitated by professionals and provided for free in underfunded areas around Leeds’ City Centre - including Holbeck, Richmond Hill and Little London.
This project is already over 90% funded and with a little help from people like you!.. Will be ready in time for a summer launch! Stay tuned for updates...
Thank you for your time & support! It means a lot.
Useful Links:
Bobbi Rae’s Portfolio: portfolio.bobbirae.co.uk
Gallery website: leedsgallery.com
Webshop: bobbirae.co.uk
Instagram: @bearcubs
Twitter: @bobbiraecouk
Bobbi’s 2017 Solo Exhibition: bobbiraecubs.wixsite.com/playfulexhibit