A HIGHLY acclaimed, world-renowned filmmaker and performance artist is coming home to provide the centrepiece of this year’s Rugby Collection exhibition at the town’s Art Gallery and Museum.
Emily Wardill, who was born in Rugby, has built an international reputation for her short and feature-length films, and won the prestigious Jarman Award in 2010 among her many accolades.
She also won a Philip Leverhulme Prize in Visual and Performing Arts in 2011, and has exhibited at the Art Basel, Serpentine Gallery, Tate Britain and Venice Biennale, as well as numerous prestigious international film festivals.
She now returns to her hometown to present When You Fall into a Trance – her new film exploring “the relationship between mind and body, and the complexities of communication”.
The piece focuses on neuroscientist Dominique’s relationship with Simon, a patient who has lost proprioception – the body’s ability to sense movement and position.
And Emily has selected pieces from the Rugby Collection of 20th and 21st century British art to accompany and complement her work.
The collection boasts nearly 200 pieces, including paintings, drawings, photography, prints, film and new media by artists such as Barbara Hepworth, Percy Wyndham Lewis, AK Dolven and Maggie Hambling.
Jessica Litherland, the gallery’s senior exhibitions officer, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Emily Wardill back to Rugby to curate this year’s Rugby Collection exhibition and showcase her latest film work.
“Emily has been at the forefront of British film for a number of years now, gaining international acclaim for her work with exhibitions across Europe and America.
“When You Fall into a Trance, together with her selections from the Rugby Collection to complement the themes explored in the film, promises to be a fascinating and compelling combination.”
The Rugby Collection exhibition runs at the gallery from Saturday (April 16) to Saturday June 11. Screenings of ‘When You Fall into a Trance’ start at 10.15am, 11.45am, 1.15pm and 2.45pm.
Visit www.ragm.co.uk for more information on exhibitions and events.
