ROUNDABOUT
[DAVID CHECKLEY]
The first artist, who’s two-month residency at The Asylum Art Gallery commenced the ROUNDABOUT project, was David Checkley. Find out more about the artist and his work below.
2nd November 2023 - 14th January 2024| Public event and unveiling the 17th February 2024
[ ABOUT THE ARTIST ]
David Checkley's practice is multifaceted and includes large sculptural works and lighting design often using less conventional techniques and equipment; combining and up-cycling vintage with new and evolving technologies. His experience and skills come from a background in technical theatre design along with mentoring from established artists and curators.
His work features many themes like re-examining aspects of play and the unexpected, investigative works on mental illness, the psychology behind audience interaction and perceptions of audience space, and the impact of socio-political and environmental issues.
[ ROUNDABOUT PROPOSAL ]
Checkley proposed to create a space in the Chapel Ash underpass where performers and the public participate to form an experience.
The work is interdisciplinary and uses a mixture of traditional sculptural materials, such as cut steel sheets, attached to lamp posts like sails or awnings which create projected wayfaring and highlight other works in the space. The artist ensured it was simple, bolt on, easy to modify, resilient and accessible, providing a focal point for meeting and performance.
[ LIGHT ] 17 February 2024, 5-7pm
The first event in the Chapel Ash underpass, LIGHT, took place in February 2024. It saw us showcase the work of David Checkley and celebrate with live performances of music, poetry, spoken word and drumming by artists from the West Midlands.
Inspired by Checkley's work, the event was themed around light, journeys, and finding our way and visitors had the chance to talk to Checkley about his work and ask questions to Project Manager Hannah Taylor and Community Board Members.
Despite the rain, LIGHT had a great turnout; warmed by the performances of local artists responding to ROUNDABOUT.
The final works by David Checkley were officially installed on site in May and are now part of the Chapel Ash underpass.
[ VIEW GALLERY ]
David Checkley's work now sits in the Chapel Ash underpass and interacts with work by the other ROUNDABOUT artists in the space. It continues to promote wayfinding by allowing pedestrians to encounter different aspects of Wolverhampton's landscape in one place. His residency saw the Chapel Ash underpass used for the first time as a venue for bringing art into the public realm and solidified the need for the ROUNDABOUT project as a way to invite and commission local communities and artists to use the space for activations.