• 54 Contemporary Artists
    17/07/2009

    Torre Abbey's place at the cultural heart of Devon is now firmly established with the 2009 Torre Abbey Contemporary Open.  54 local and regional artists are showing 80 exhibits including paintings, multi-media work, sculptures and installations.

    Cubed, Abey Smallcombe
    This year's TACO exhibition was selected by a curatorial team comprising:
    Amelia Marriette, Keeper of Art, Torre Abbey
    Emma Carter, Freelance Fine Art Consultant
    Clive Adams, Director of the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World

    The panel agreed that they had seen the highest standard of work to date and that the prospect of showing alongside Antony Gormley had proved to be a big draw for South West artists.  TACO's open brief has resulted in artists exploring many themes and concepts.  Naturally, however, the work exhibited has fallen into distinct categories - the most evident of these being figurative.  This is perhaps due to the presence of an installation at the Abbey by one of the greatest figurative artists today - Antony Gormley.  His 'Field for the British Isles' piece is in the Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey until 23 August.

    TACO offers the audience an exciting and diverse exhibition with a fresh perspective on contemporary art in the South West.  Each exhibit has been chosen with the belief that it has the power to inform, inspire, or even provoke the audience.  The result is an exhibition that reflects the dynamism of contemporary art in the region.

    TACO is in the Torre Abbey galleries until 31 August.  Visitors will also be able to see a glass exhibition 'On the Edge' featuring the work of South West and Irish glass makers in the gatehouse.

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