Tŷ Pawb’s gallery is set to be transformed into an evolving film set this summer as part of a major new exhibition.
PLAY – The Movie! is the vision of artist Rachael Clerke, commissioned by Tŷ Pawb and working in partnership with playworker Penny Wilson of Assemble Play.
The project will see Tŷ Pawb’s gallery one transformed into an evolving film set for eight weeks over the summer. During this time, children will work alongside artists Ella Jones, Harold Offeh, Noemi Santos, Sarah Ryder, Jamila Walker and Rhi Moxon, local playworkers and 73 Degrees films to collaboratively create an epic feature length film that explores play in Wrexham; how & where do we play now, how and where do we want to play in the future?
PLAY – The Movie! has links to the Welsh Play Sufficiency Assessment, and research being carried out in relation to Wrexham’s forthcoming campaign to become UK City of Culture 2029. Anyone is welcome to get involved, either behind the scenes or in front of the camera.
The finished film will premiere in a red carpet event at Wrexham Odeon in late 2023.
The exhibition is being funded by Art Fund’s Reimagine grant, The Thomas Howell’s Foundation and Arts Council Wales.
A continuation of pioneering Play work in Wrexham
Lead Member with responsibility for Tŷ Pawb, Cllr Hugh Jones, said: “Among Tŷ Pawb’s greatest achievements are the strong and fruitful partnerships they’ve been able to form with playworkers and play professionals, both here in Wrexham and nationally. This has enabled them to collaborate on some fantastic projects, from the phenomenally popular Play-Work exhibition in 2019, which saw the gallery transformed into a giant adventure playground, to the free, playworker-supported play sessions that take place every week in Tŷ Pawb’s Useful Art Space.
“This exhibition is set to take this partnership to the next level. It will be a continuation of Wrexham’s pioneering and well-renowned work in the field of Play, with children, artists and playworkers working side by side to create something we can all enjoy and learn from. We are hugely excited to see where this project will lead us over the summer.”
‘Play-it-forward’
Rachael Clerke said: “I’m so excited to be working with Tŷ Pawb, Assemble Play & 73 degrees film on Play – The Movie! It’s a rare treat to get to bring together artists, children and playworkers like this, to make something together.
“Art galleries are often spaces where we are told not to touch, where one or two artists are put on a pedestal. Movies are something made in Hollywood (though of course we’re making them all the time on our phones). It feels radical to be able to transform the gallery into a space where children can play and create like this together. We’ve got everything we need right here!”
Penny Wilson said: “Working with the Playworkers of Wrecsam, Rachael Clerke, Ella Jones, Noemi Santos, Jamila Thomas, Rhi Moxon, and Harold Offeh to discover ways that they can play-it-forward by revisiting their playhood memories and offer a gallery version of them to the children of Wrecsam has been an absolute joy.
“Let’s see what sort of film snippets the children create, with the support of 73 degrees, to remind adults about the vitality of freely chosen play. Thanks to Tŷ Pawb for being a bold and imaginative play advocate.”
PLAY – The Movie! Opens from July 29 – September 23
See our What’s On guide for more info on upcoming events
