Invisible Flock Barnsley Artist Residency

Invisible Flock, the award-winning interactive arts studio, supported three Barnsley artists who each joined them for a ten-day residency at their studio in Yorkshire Sculpture Park. 

The three artists are Tala Lee-Turton, a Barnsley-born, British Chinese creative producer, dramaturg and dance artist, questioning and deconstructing discourses on gender, identity, and climate justice, Ailish Treanor, a Barnsley-based artist whose practice comprises sculpture, painting, and installation and Spencer Hughes, a Barnsley-based artist whose work varies in social, documentary and landscape photography through the analog format.

The residencies took place throughout August 2024 and offered the artists an opportunity to work alongside Invisible Flock and access their high-quality and innovative facilities and technology. The artists also received mentoring, peer feedback and networking opportunities with other creative professionals.

This residency programme is part of Storying Barnsley’s ongoing commitment to support and collaborate with artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, and to create immersive and interactive artworks that engage audiences in meaningful and transformative ways.

  • Ailish is pictured here in the workshop adapting drawings from her sketchbook into laser cut designs made from handmade decorative papers she previously created.
  • Ailish is pictured here in the workshop adapting drawings from her sketchbook into laser cut designs made from handmade decorative papers she previously created.
  • Tala outside the studio capturing the first in a series of experimental polaroid works. She has also begun initial development work with the LiDAR, Artec micro scanner, and sound recorders.
  • Tala outside the studio capturing the first in a series of experimental polaroid works. She has also begun initial development work with the LiDAR, Artec micro scanner, and sound recorders.
  • Spencer is on his way towards the final construction of a stainless steel light box, designed to house a commemorative scarf which will hold the title of his upcoming new photo book TOTIK.
  • Spencer is on his way towards the final construction of a stainless steel light box, designed to house a commemorative scarf which will hold the title of his upcoming new photo book TOTIK.

Amy Balderston, Invisible Flock, said: "We are delighted to begin working alongside Tala, Ailish and Spencer in the studio this summer. The residency is designed to be a space to create, explore and develop their artistic practice through the space and equipment at the studio, without the pressure of a set output. We were incredibly impressed by the breadth, scope and talent of the applications we received from this call out. Their applications stood out with their passion and interest to explore materials, processes and their individual connections to Barnsley.”

Tala Lee-Turton said: "I'm looking forward to exploring personal themes in my residency with Invisible Flock through research methods and creative approaches that will be new to me. Taking the short story and polaroid image as jumping off points, I will focus on developing a system of imagery that is both intensely subjective and relatable on a wider level of shared lived experience. In particularly, I'm keen to find ways of expressing how feminine bodies have historically been commodified and codified within a Western patriarchal structure that has also commodified and codified the land."

Ailish Treanor said: "I am very excited to have the opportunity to engage with Invisible Flock as part of their Barnsley Artist Residency. Over 10 days in August I will be using a laser-cutter to create intricate images. These images will be made from decorative papers made by me, that I usually use to create sculptures. When I create my sculptures there can be scrap-paper left behind, I'm excited to utilise this left-over material in the work I make at Invisible Flock. The work produced during my residency at Invisible Flock will be exhibited as part of my exhibition Ulterior Motifs, opening at Barnsley Civic Gallery, 14th September 2024.”

Spencer Hughes said: “I am delighted to be one of the recipients of this Barnsley Artist residency at Invisible Flock Studios. Together with Invisible Flock I will be producing material for a working title project. The residency presents the opportunity to develop work in a new medium, from a new perspective, which will inform a photo book and physically curated pieces subjecting my hometown of Barnsley, today.”

Cllr Robin Franklin, Cabinet Spokesperson in charge of Regeneration and Culture, said: “We’re delighted to support Invisible Flock and the three talented Barnsley artists who will benefit from this exciting residency opportunity. This is a great example of how Storying Barnsley is nurturing local creativity and showcasing the rich and diverse stories of our town. We look forward to seeing the outcomes of the residency and how they will inspire and engage our people and communities."

 

Invisible Flock's 'Barnsley Artist Residency' programme was commissioned and funded by Barnsley Council's Cultural Development Fund programme 'Storying Barnsley'. www.barnsley-museums.com/projects/storying-barnsley

About Tala Lee-Turton

"I am a Barnsley-born, British Chinese creative producer, dramaturg and dance artist, questioning and deconstructing discourses on gender, identity, and climate justice, informed by my civic role and lived experience as an intersectional Barnsley artist.

A graduate of the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Moscow, I draw on my varied career as a multidisciplinary artist, having developed my skill set across dance, visual art, research and film sectors, to create work intersecting documentary and fiction. My work to date is supported by Arts Council England, Screen Yorkshire, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Barnsley Civic, Sheffield City Council, Reclaim the Frame, BalletBoyz, Dance East, Northern Ballet, Sheffield Theatres, Barnsley Museums, the Abderrahim Crickmay Charitable Settlement, the Genesis Foundation and Girls in Film."

www.talaleeturton.com/productions

@talaleeturton

 


About Ailish Treanor

Ailish Treanor is a Barnsley-based artist whose practice comprises sculpture, painting, and installation. She often creates highly composed displays, which force a flattened perspective and hold various elements and idiosyncratic references in place, landing somewhere between object and image.

Graduating from Newcastle University BA Fine Art in 2018. Treanor’s recent opportunities include Tableau Retro a solo show at 87 Gallery Hull in 2022, and Kissing Gate, a public sculpture commissioned by Barnsley Council as part Love Barnsley Festival 2022

In 2024 Treanor will undertake a solo exhibition at Barnsley Civic Gallery. As part of this exhibition, she will engage and respond to a series of drawings by Georgia O’Keeffe, on loan from The Hayward Gallery.

www.87gallery.co.uk/tableau-retro

@ailishtreanor

 

 

About Spencer Hughes

Spencer Hughes is Barnsley based artist, whose work varies in social, documentary and landscape photography through the analog format, and favoured medium - zines. 

Focusing on a little bit of everything, Hughes is currently developing a visual project which is attempting to blur the lines between Barnsley’s coal fields heritage and it’s current cultural landscape; reflecting on the fields of change and the relationship the younger generation holds with the Northern town in it’s post industrial shadow.

www.spencer-hughes.com
@spencer__hughes