This Thursday 16th June sees the launch of Tender Bodies a new zine and exhibition from Papaya Press, hosted by Praxis Gallery, based in Commercial Union House in Newcastle. Pulled together from an open call out from Papaya Press founder (and writer herself) Lauren Vevers, which asked artists to respond to the theme of tenderness, the project has since grown to include an exhibition and live performance night containing spoken word, readings and music, with artists coming together from across the region for a unique evening that should satisfy the desires of any culture vultures in need of a fix.
The theme itself is a fascinating choice for artists to respond to, the concept of ‘tenderness’ whilst universal, also contains an inherent openness, resulting in revelatory works which leave the artists exposed in some form or another, be it through baring their soul through prose, sensuality through images, or their fears, worries, loves and hidden identities. All of this creates a truly unique relationship between the audience/viewer and the artist – sometimes uncomfortable, other times comforting – and the sincerity of it all helps to set it apart from your standard white wall gallery fare.
Artists involved include Zara Worth exhibiting a series of delicately crafted drawings; Georgia Grace Gibson, whose work looks at cultural and class identity centered on growing up in the North East; Maria Abbott, whose critiques on contemporary society’s obsession with consumerism and beauty is always engaging; and recent graduate Oliver Doe, as well as a number of other readings throughout the night. The zine has an even more eclectic group of writers, designers, and artists, including Shiori Naruse, Grace Denton, Oscar Dempsey, Phoebe Elliott, Sarah Grundy and Lucy Walters to name but a few. With a limited number available in print it’s well worth picking up a copy on the night.
