London Food & Culture

MUST DO: An arty day out on the Kent coast – for nada

Artist Julia Riddiough is inviting readers to join her for free on a tour that takes in Margate and Whitstable

Examining the space "between meaning and perception." Image: Misguided, Julia Riddiough
Examining the space “between meaning and perception.” Image © Misguided, Julia Riddiough
Much of Margate-based artist Julia Riddiough’s work uses found images. “I collect any interesting printed ephemera, including postcards,” she says. “John Hinde, who influenced the art of postcard photography, is a hero of mine, although it’s alleged that he often re-arranged the locale to get the right shot and sets were often added too.” Images in hand, she reframes them into new narratives “to look at the space between meaning and perception”.

Riddiough’s next UK project is for this year’s Whitstable Biennale Satellite. An artist-led walk and performance of her recent work Misguided, it takes place on Saturday 11th June, beginning at Margate’s seafront gallery Turner Contemporary, before moving to Resort Studios in Cliftonville, with a light lunch en route at hip seafood café Hantverk & Found. During a short train ride to Whitstable, there’ll be a performance of Misguided on the train, culminating in a tour of the international Whitstable Biennale 2016.

“I hope to share local knowledge about artists and their practices, laced with history and the odd artful anecdote,” says Riddiough, “giving you the ‘inside leg’ as it were.”

Julia:
Sharing local knowledge about artists: Julia Riddiough
But hang on. what on earth is the Misguided project about? It’s a book and limited edition boxed set of 13 postcards, each with their own vignette on the reverse written by the artist. “It questions the nature of travel,” she says. “Escapism is about immersing yourself in other realities to retreat from the current situation. Misguided uses my own personal collection of postcards bought on my travels: they describe a voyager on a personal journey linked to the landscape image on the front of each card. Is there really any freedom in escaping? Are we all hiding or seeking?”


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And while you ponder that, it’s worth underlining that Julia’s day-long event is free and totally open to those who would like to explore both the art cluster in Margate and an international art event nearby. It’s also a unique opportunity to participate (or just observe) in a special performance on a train. “Have you packed your emotional baggage?” she says, with just a hint of a wink.

Can’t make it down to the Kent coast?

Handmade box set: 'Photographing Girls'. Image: JR
Handmade box set: ‘Photographing Girls’. Image © JR
The following day (12th June) Julia Riddiough is at The Art Car Boot Fair in E1 with her project Photographing Girls, a collection of found images in a special limited edition handmade box set. “We’re told sex sells,” she says, “but exactly what kind of sex sells? The media use stereotypes to sell us things that we don’t really need, and these stereotypes create a false sense of ourselves, ultimately defining who we are and how we should live.” Catch her at The Outside World All Stars, Sunday 12thJune 12-6pm. More info here.

Julia Riddiough is the founder of A Brooks Art, a project which curates shows reflecting cultural themes that are critically challenging for audience and participants alike. Misguided takes place on Sat 11th June, 11am-6pm(ish). Free but booking essential: email j_riddiough@hotmail.com. Travel from Margate to Whitstable given in kind by Southeastern.


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