KUDOS to The Base Greenham, shortly to be the opening venue for The Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry.
The exhibition runs from Friday, April 4 to Sunday 27.
It brings together 26 lithographic prints created by the renowned Catalan Spanish artist, to illustrate the writings of the celebrated French surrealist poet Robert Desnos.
One of the 20th century’s most influential and recognisable artists, Joan Miró’s highly individual style placed him at the forefront of Surrealism and Dadaism.
Primarily known as a painter and sculptor, Miró was also a celebrated and dynamic printmaker. Within this practice the artist produced a remarkable and extensive output of book illustrations, often created for artists, writers and poets associated with the Surrealist movement.
The first prints Miró ever made were illustrations for a book of poems, and literary sources would prove a constant inspiration for the artist. Miró never considered his involvement in these books to be strictly that of an illustrator. He worked from the free expression of what the text suggested to him and embraced the process of finding the image through experiment and accident.
This new exhibition will shine light on Miró’s prints and how they are not only an excellent example of the richness and variety of his print production, but also his famous experimentation with vivid colours and abstract shapes.
On Tuesday, April 8, The Base will host a Family Day for the Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry exhibition where visitors are encouraged to introduce their little ones to the inspiring world of art galleries in a fun and relaxed setting. This day provides the perfect opportunity to explore the venue as a family; view the Gallery exhibition, follow art inspired trails around the building peeking inside the artists’ studios, and boost children’s creativity and imagination with free art and craft activities.
As well as their Family Day, The Base Greenham will be hosting a Relaxed Day on Thursday, April 24 for the Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry exhibition. Adjustments will be made throughout the venue to ensure the space is inclusive and comfortable for anyone; these include turning off hand dryers in the bathrooms and background music throughout as well as limiting Gallery capacity per session and providing sensory bags. The event is particularly suitable for visitors who are neurodivergent but anyone who would benefit from a calmer environment is also very welcome at The Base.
There are also several exhibition-themed workshops on offer at The Base inspired by Miro’s work. There are workshops for young people which include Surrealism: Creative Collage (Saturday, April 5) where children can create their own mini collage landscape and Songs and Stories in the Gallery (Thursday 17 and Saturday 19) for little ones and their carers to explore The Base’s creative spaces through music and much-loved children’s tales.
For adults The Base will host a Poetry Open Mic Night (Thursday 24), giving people the chance to perform spoken word or listen and relax while taking in the beauty the exhibition, Explore Surrealism with Oils (Saturday 26) and Create and Play like a Surrealist (Saturday 26).
The exhibition is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 5pm).
To book tickets to the exhibition, related workshops or for more information visit thebasegreenham.co.uk or call 01635 522733.
About Hayward Gallery Touring
Hayward Gallery Touring is the UK’s largest contemporary art organisation producing touring exhibitions. Based at Southbank Centre, Hayward Gallery Touring works with a range of artists, curators, designers and writers to develop curatorial projects and ambitious exhibitions that are often beyond the scope of a single institution.
Hayward Gallery Touring’s programme includes the British Art Show – the largest and most significant exhibition of contemporary art produced in the UK – as well as thematic group shows and monographic exhibitions created for venues including museums, galleries, art centres, libraries, schools, hospitals and other unexpected partners and places.
Hayward Gallery Touring exhibitions are seen by up to half a million people in more than 45 cities and towns each year.
