Important new Outside In commission at Chichester's Pallant House Gallery

Artists are being offered the opportunity to create new work which will be displayed at Chichester’s Pallant House Gallery.
Work by Madge GillWork by Madge Gill
Work by Madge Gill

The co-commission is the second to be run by the gallery and the award-winning arts charity Outside In, which works to provide a platform for artists who face barriers to the artworld due to health, disability, isolation or social circumstance.

Amanda Sutton, acting director for Outside In, said: “This co-commission between Outside In and Pallant House represents a fantastic opportunity for Outside In artists to show work in a major gallery as well as presenting opportunities for audiences to view the work of Madge Gill, who has long been one of my favourite artists and whose work, I believe, deserves wide acclaim.”

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Artists who meet Outside In’s criteria can propose artwork in any medium including painting, drawing, photography, and sculptural work in response to pieces by visionary artist Madge Gill. The results of the co-commission will be exhibited in Pallant House Gallery’s Print Room, January to March 2021, alongside Madge Gill’s work from Pallant House Gallery’s permanent collection and from private collections.

The deadline for applications is October 26 at 10am. The successful artist(s) will receive £5,000 and the support of an artist mentor. More information on how to apply, and the support on offer, can be found at www.outsidein.org.uk.

Madge Gill (1882-1961) was a self-taught artist. She is known for the thousands of intricate ink drawings she created during her lifetime.

Gill is often described as a visionary artist. She said she channelled a spirit guide named Myrninerest who she believed influenced her artwork.

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Gill worked mainly on paper and textiles using pen marks to create intricate ink drawings that often-included figures and faces of women. Some of Gill’s work is small in scale; dimensions range from postcard size to works that are 30 feet long. Her work is often described as mysterious and otherworldly.

Gill was born in Walthamstow in London. She was placed in an orphanage at the age of nine and later moved to Canada when she was 14 years old and stayed there until she was 18 when she then moved back to London.

Gill suffered a great deal of tragedy in her life including the death of her daughter and son. Gill also suffered with health issues, including the loss of sight in one eye following a severe illness.

In 1938 Gill exhibited one of her artworks at the Whitechapel Gallery in London and continued to do so every year till 1947. After her death Gill’s work has been exhibited more widely and is now part of collections all over the world.

Closing date: October 26 2020 at 10am

Interview dates: November 2 and 3 2020

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Time for selected artist to make work: November 2020 – January 2 2021

Exhibition date: January 13-March 14 2021

To find out more about Outside In visit:

Website: http://www.outsidein.org.ukSocial media: @outsidein_uk

To find out more about Pallant House Gallery visit:

Website: www.pallant.org.uk

Social media: @PallantGallery