Join us at 7pm on Friday 29th May for the launch of the latest (virtual) RIPE exhibition: Homemade Mango Chutney.

We will meet on Zoom and take an artist lead tour of the new and improved virtual Alfred Arcade featuring live art performances, followed by a Q&A on the terrace out the back. The Zoom link will be made available once you’ve registered to attend the event through Eventbrite.

Led by ’a space’ arts, Homemade Mango Chutney is a virtual exhibition of new work by graduate artists in Southampton.

Previously titled Mango Chutney, the exhibition was originally intended to showcase the work of 10 artists who currently occupy studio spaces at the Alfred Arcade and the Hidden Wardrobe on Old Northam Road. These spaces were offered to the current residents last year as part of ‘a space’ arts’ RIPE Graduate Programme. As well as using the spaces as studios, the artists have met regularly for crit sessions and evolved their ideas through this exchange and experimentation; forming networks and friendships that will help them sustain a fruitful visual arts practice here in Southampton.

In these unusual and unprecedented times it felt important to expand the project, and take advantage of new digital ways of working, to include RIPE artists who have since left Old Northam Road and are now working and living in other places, on other projects. Homemade Mango Chutney provides all the participating artists with the opportunity to remain connected and optimistic in this new, difficult and digital time.

RIPE is a graduate programme led by ‘a space’ arts, in partnership Solent University (SU) and Winchester School of Art (WSA), University of Southampton; all RIPE artists are SU and WSA graduates. The virtual gallery which hosts Homemade Mango Chutney is modelled on the Alfred Arcade and was created by WSA alumni and artist, George Thom.
George Peter Thom