About

Groundwork has four strands: a season of international contemporary art opening in May 2018, field trips, residential workshops and an ambitious learning programme.

Supported by funding through Arts Council England’s Ambition for Excellence scheme, Groundwork is organised by CAST (the Helston-based Cornubian Arts and Science Trust) in partnership with Kestle Barton, Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange and Tate St Ives.

With an emphasis on moving image, sound and performance, the programme of exhibitions and events in 2018 includes presentations of important new commissions and acclaimed works by internationally celebrated artists in venues and outdoor sites across West Cornwall.

The Groundwork learning programme provides opportunities for encounters with the work of internationally recognised artists, curators and producers, with particular initiatives tailored to the specific interests of the participating institutions.

Groundwork is an exploration of place as the terrain of past, present and future human activity. It aims to develop connections between the visual arts and other specialist fields and to build on strong working relationships with organisations in Cornwall. It is dedicated to encouraging national and international connection and exchange and has grown out of earlier projects in Cornwall exploring ideas of place, including The Falmouth Convention in 2010 and The Penzance Convention in 2012.

Informed by ongoing conversations with Cornwall’s exceptional community of artists, Groundwork also draws on the experience of the Cornwall Workshops held at Kestle Barton since 2011, led by artists Mark Dion, Hamish Fulton, Simon Starling, Ben Rivers, Ruth Ewan and Christina Mackie; field trips led by artists, scientists, geographers and historians exploring particular themes and ideas; and CAST’s energetic public programme of screenings, talks, workshops and performances.