What Next: Life After Changing Spaces

Since developing the concept and artwork for my project, 'Changing Spaces' I have been thinking about the term regeneration. In reality this is what 'Changing Spaces' as a project was about, taking something old and turning into something new. The term ‘regeneration’ is now in common usage and has impacted directly and indirectly on lives and communities, especially those in urban areas considered in need of change. The term suggests progress or renewal and something unquestionably deemed as a positive outcome.  In the contemporary context, regeneration has become associated specifically with the construction of new urban developments, delivering sustainable communities and creating a greater sense of place, and economic growth.

Since the 1990's artists have played a role in regeneration through government policy such Section 106. Within Section 106 town planners and developers had the facility to commission public art, but specifically  ‘outdoor site-specific art'.  Although artists benefited from Section 106 funding, the brief many artists had to follow gave them very little scope for analysis and risk-taking.  An expectation of conformity with a pre-designed vision to produce work that would 'fit’ into the vernacular resulted in work that was architectural rather than creatively interpretive.

Over the next few months I will de-constructing and analyse the term, ‘regeneration’ and using it as the context for the production of new work. My new work will be available to see in up and coming solo exhibitions late summer 2013 and the beginning of 2014. 

If you would like to purchase any of my work please go to: http://jonathanodea.blogspot.co.uk/