On display at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Coventry is the ‘Fevral – A Folklore’ exhibition containing works by artist Stewart Francis Easton. This engaging and intriguing exhibition is open until 2nd September 2018.
Fevral – A Folklore
The Fevral – A Folklore exhibition is the artist’s exploration into the creation and development of a folkloric tale. Easton develops of his very own folk tale, using the character of a bear called Fevral. The artist maps the journey of a traditional folk tale from its origin through to the creation of myths. Easton draws upon both historical and fictional events, weaving a story which treads the fine line between the real and the imagined.
The exhibition has been divided into sections of ‘The Myth’, ‘Creation Myths’, ‘Charms’, ‘Children’s Rhymes’ and ‘Fevral in Contemporary Life’. Therefore, Easton is charting the journey of a traditional tale, from its creation to its re-interpretation in contemporary life and art. Easton also raises questions regarding how we obtain information today in the 21st century and in what way the original story can be altered from the truth, in the wake of ‘fake news’.
Creation Myths
Creation Myths, are the tales that have stemmed from the original story of the Fevral. One of the artworks included in Creation Myths (as above), is a painting displaying a fiery landscape, with deep orange tones. The accompanying creation myth on the gallery label describes that the essence of the Fevral was borne out of a great fire in the Queen’s Wood in 1876. Therefore, the exhibition actively allows visitors to assess the differences between the original story and how it’s retelling has been altered in the Creation Myths.
Guest Artists
Alongside Easton’s artworks three guest artists, Claire Scully, Luke Jinks and Rachel Matthews, have also been invited to exhibit. Claire Scully has included two illustrative works of the Fevral’s profile whilst Luke Jinks has created two bold pieces narrating the fatal scratch of the Fevral. Textile artist, Rachel Matthews has produced a knitted piece symbolically illustrative of the myth of the Fevral. Their work is included in the ‘Fevral in Contemporary Life’ section.
Curator’s Comment: Dominic Bubb
The following is a comment from Exhibitions Officer and Curator Dominic Bubb reflecting on the exhibition:
It was a fantastic experience working with Stewart Easton on developing and displaying Fevral: A Folklore. During our first few meetings for the exhibition, one thing became very clear, and that was Stewart’s passion for the Herbert and its collection. In my opinion, it doesn’t get much better then when you get to work alongside and help support, a hugely talented artist whose been inspired by the works found on your own gallery walls.
Stewart has crafted a beautiful and melancholic tale which not only draws on our primeval, fears, wishes and emotions but also recognises how ‘folklore’ and what is ‘real’ and what is ‘fake’ remains a controversial subject matter today.
‘Fevral: A Folklore’ will be on display from 25th May until 2nd September 2018
Free Admission
Time for one more read?
If you enjoyed today’s post, you will enjoy our recent post on Gabrielle Roberts-Dalton’s exhibition ‘Menopause: A Change In Life’ at the RBSA Gallery.
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