WILDSCAPES

CONTEMPORARY REFLECTIONS ON COLONIALISM AND DOCUMENTARY

2 - 21 MAY 2014

DUNCAN CAMPBELL ALLAN HUGHES RYAN MOFFETT

Catalyst Arts is pleased to present WILDSCAPES, an exhibition of work by Duncan Campbell, Allan Hughes and Ryan Moffett which considers the overlapping tensions inherent within documentary filmmaking and contemporary art practice.

Through the entanglement of artifice and authenticity, the works question the often deceptive nature of documentary, whilst reflecting upon contemporary understandings of colonialism.

Whether examining the production of remediated histories or presenting manipulative forms of fiction, each of the works strives for ever more authentic representation of reality.

Duncan Campbell’s film works blend archive footage and documentary material with fictional elements. ‘It for Other’ was exhibited at the Venice Biennale in 2013 as part of Scotland + Venice. Campbell has previously presented his work in solo exhibitions at venues including the Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Artist’s Space, New York; Tramway, Glasgow; Chisenhale Gallery, London; and Tate Britain, London.

Based in Newcastle Upon Tyne at the Northern Charter studios, Allan Hughe’s practice and research explores the production of remediated histories through an interest in the language and structure of video making processes. Recent exhibitions of his work include ‘Enemy Blue’ a solo exhibition at Belfast Exposed - and ‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ at Temple Bar Gallery, Dublin. Hughes is currently Head of Sculpture in the Fine Art Department at Northumbria University.

Belfast-based Ryan Moffett creates fictional narratives influenced by factual events. He explores notions of representation and authenticity, exposing the perceived ‘truths’ within areas such as anthropological texts, documentary practice, museums and zoological gardens. Moffett is a recent MFA graduate from the University of Ulster and is currently Graduate in residence at Flax Art Studios, Belfast.