Inspired by Mail Art and by the restrictions many of us have experienced due to covid-19, new work is sought for an exhibition of miniature pieces of art which will be displayed in a set of old letter press drawers and showcased online through livestream and video. The project is led by artist Amanda Lynch in partnership with Clayhill Arts, Somerset.

Artists are invited to create small works for the drawers' compartments which range in size from 3cm x 3cm to 6cm x 13.5cm. Four compartments will be allocated to each artist with the tiny space designed to provide a reflective stimulus. The work should be inspired by the theme Restriction, and what that means to you in the context of covid-19 and lockdown. Each exhiiting artist will be allocated four different sized compartments in the drawers.  

Application is open to all artists based in the UK and internationally. Work by emerging artists and by d/Deaf and disabled artists is particulary encouraged. 

All appropriate artforms are welcome, including digital. Please note there is no power supply to the drawers.  

Two of the contributing artists will be invited to create a blog post about the porcess of creating their work- a paid opportunity with a fee of £50 to each artist. 

As part of the project, contributing artists will be invited to be part of an artists' network the Correspondence Collective, which will be created to provide an ongoing point of contact, particularly for those who have felt isolated during lockdown. This will include online talks and workshops.

Contributed artwork will be archived by Clayhill Arts as a record of work created about this ususual time. 

How to apply

Please send the following information:

- Your name, email address, phone number and location.

- A short description of the artwork you would like to create, including the materials you plan to use and how you plan to respond to the theme of Restriction. We suggest 100 to 300 words for this, as a guide. Alternatively, you can send us an audio recording or a short video (around 3 minutes)  in English or BSL.

- Tell us about yourself and the artwork you create. You can include a link to a website and or a pdf of images. 

- Please say if you're disabled and/or an emerging artist. We're asking this beacsue we want to make sure that we include disabled people and emerging artists amongst those exhibiting.

- Artists are welcome to make one piece of work broken up into four parts, this could be in drawers adjacent to one another or spread out. 

- Drawer compartment sizes and locations will be allocated for you. If your artwork idea requires that your compartments should be adjacent to each other, please do state this in your application.

Access

We want  to make the project as accessible as possible. If you have any special requests regarding the application process, please get in touch with us.

Successful artists

Once your application is received you will be allocated four compartments in the drawers. Completed artwork should be posted to Clayhill Arts. Charlynch Lane, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA5 2PH, England, UK to arrive no later than 5th March 2021. Artwork will not be returned unless specifically requested and agreed.

Timeline

14th Feb 2021 - Closing date for applications

16th Feb 2021 - Successful applicants will be informed and receive information about their allocated spaces.

5th March 2021 - All artwork to be recieved by Clayhill Arts 

23rd March 2021- Exhibition opens with livestream online

23rd-6th April 2021- Networking events online 

6th April - Exhibtion ends 

www.correspondencecollective.com