Norwich: Unconsumed exhibition at Shoe Factory Social Club

The cross-generational, multi-disciplinary art show in Norwich is supported by the East Anglia Art Fund and entitled Unconsumed, offering artists the chance to display pieces made during lockdown.

Eleanor Rodwell is a local artist and co-curator of Unconsumed at The Shoe Factory (Image: Andrew Gooding)

Artists and co-curators Eleanor Rodwell, 26, and Georgia Green, 27, will present the six-day group show in St Mary’s Works from Saturday, March 4. 

“We both feel really supported by the art community in Norwich and wanted to champion it,” said Eleanor.

“Then we realised it wasn't just about the city. The art scene extends into rural areas – and Suffolk in particular has a dynamic scene going on right now.” 

The open call welcomed students, professional artists and those without a formal arts education.  

Multi-disciplinary artist Sanika Devdikar will exhibit at Unconsumed (Image: Sanika Devdikar)

“We wanted to break down boundaries in the art world,” Eleanor said. “That's why we were so broad in our open call.

"The only limiting factor was that you had to have a strong connection to the region.” 

The exhibition will showcase oil and acrylic paintings, collages, photography, textile works, bronze sculptures and ceramics, as well as performance art and transitory installations that won’t exist after the exhibition finishes. 

Georgia Green is a local artist and co-curator of the Unconsumed exhibition (Image: Georgia Green)

“We’re so happy with the diversity of both the artists and the work that we’ve received,” Georgia added.

“It was just brilliant looking through the submissions and seeing such a range of mediums, but also a range of people from all over the region: Norfolk, north Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridge.” 

Refreshments on the opening night will also be provided by local businesses including Mr Winter’s Brewing Company, Fat Cat Brewery, Ampersand Brew Co, Redwell Brewery and Kettle Chips. 

The Shoe Factory Social Club at St Mary's Works, Norwich will host Unconsumed (Image: Sam Coe)

“Making is a very human way of dealing with crisis,” said Eleanor. “This exhibition will show that, but also how experiencing art is a positive way of coming together as a community. 

“Experiencing art and making art is all about expression, but it’s also about finding commonality in life experiences. And during the pandemic, that's what everyone wanted, wasn’t it?” 

Gus Farnes's sculpture artwork will be displayed at Unconsumed (Image: Gus Farnes) (Image: Gus Farnes)

The exhibition is free to attend with artworks for sale and a pop-up shop selling small prints, postcards, books and T-shirts. 

“The pandemic was a crisis, but we’re still in the cost of living crisis,” said Georgia. “It is very real and there’s a lot of anxiety and stress for everyone, including creatives, which is why we wanted to do something that is accessible, free and social by nature.  

“All you need to do is turn up whenever you have a spare hour, look around and hopefully you'll see something that resonates with you.” 

Jasmine Bradbury’s iron casts will be exhibited at Unconsumed from March 4 (Image: Christopher L Proctor)

Sculptor Jasmine Bradbury said: “The Unconsumed group exhibition is an inspiring opportunity to showcase my iron casts, not only in the county I have grown up, studied and begun my sculptor career but to return back to my roots and be selected to showcase alongside other fellow Norfolk artists.” 

Multi-disciplinary artist Sanika Devdikar said: "I really love Norfolk and being a part of the art community. Things are so different here from how India has been for me. I find these differences fascinating and want to show my connection from a place like India and moving to Norfolk.

"The opportunity due to this show has paved the way for me to connect with more artists, and reach the people from East Anglia."

Painter James Hunter added: “Finally, a show that will showcase a full spectrum of different artists and mediums! As a relatively new painter, I have been looking at different avenues to enable me to exhibit my work.

"After discovering the Unconsumed open call, I finally had the confidence and platform to do so.” 

Superstore by James Hunter will be on display at the Shoe Factory in March as part of the Unconsumed exhibition (Image: James Hunter)

Artist Zheni Warner said: “It’s wonderfully exciting to see Norwich re-asserting itself as a major national centre for the visual arts.

"With a hundred artists from all over the county, this exhibition firmly establishes Norwich as a city of culture.” 

Unconsumed starts 6pm-9pm on Saturday, March 4 and is open 12pm-6pm daily until March 9 and from 10am-2pm on March 10. 

For more information, follow on Instagram @unconsumed.theshoefactory or click here.