Experience 'Catalyst' - a new virtual exhibition

'Catalyst' is an online exhibition celebrating nearly a decade of arts/science collaborations as part of the ESI Creative Exchange at the University of Exeter's Environment and Sustainability Institute. Launched on Earth Day (22nd April 2021).

2021 marks almost a decade of the ESI Creative Exchange, a rich and absorbing programme of arts/science collaborations between researchers at the University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) and South West based creative practitioners. Supported by the ESI and Arts and Culture, University of Exeter, the Creative Exchange brings researchers and artists together to explore questions related to climate change, ecology and environment, generating opportunities for public engagement and collaborative learning.

Since the programme launched in 2012, a small gallery space in the ESI has played host to exhibitions showcasing everything from kaleidoscopic bacterial colonies to the plants growing in a dyer’s garden, offering students, staff and the public a chance to engage with topics such as hidden microscopic worlds and local ecosystems.

To celebrate these fascinating creative collaborations and highlight the programme’s legacy, Arts and Culture are delighted to have teamed up with the ESI and South West based curator and producer Claire English to create a stunning online exhibition, called Catalyst. Whilst the real gallery space remains temporarily closed due to the pandemic, the team have recreated a virtual gallery, featuring work of twelve previous ESI Creative Exchange collaborations. Showcasing work from 2013 onwards, you will be able to navigate through a series of spaces to view photography, creative writing, visual art and film all exploring issues of climate, environment and sustainability.

The artists exhibiting are:

The Art and Energy Collective, Dr Bram Thomas Arnold Dr Tim Cockerill, Chris Thorn, Harper and Chave, Hugo Glasier, Gabrielle Hoad, Josie Purcell Rame, Peninsula Beach Care, Roseberry and Slack, Rosie Fierek, Sara Bowler and Elizabeth Masterton.

You can access the virtual gallery below from Thursday 22nd April.

Catalyst Blog

Throughout the exhibition we shared more about the artists and researchers involved in each collaboration via short blogs on the Exeter Arts and Culture website and social media. Keep your eye on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to discover more.