Setting up an art gallery is not the kind of endeavour that most people would attempt singlehandedly. project/ten, however, is unlike any other art space in Cardiff. A ‘pop-up’ gallery that aims to showcase the most promising, emerging artistic talent from the region, it will be springing up in venues all over the city, starting at Cardiff Arts Institute this week.
Cat Gardiner is the driving force behind project/ten, touting it as Cardiff’s first “design-focused gallery”. By promoting contemporary art and design in temporary locations, Cat hopes to create a space for a new generation of artists and art collectors alike.
“I was frustrated with the lack of curatorial opportunities in cardiff, and the lack of design orientated exhibitions,” she said, “and I felt that a platform for young and emerging contemporary artists and designers needed to be offered to give balance to Cardiff’s commercial art scene.”
With art for sale ranging from £25-£1500, Cat hopes to capitalise on a gap in Cardiff’s art market for a commercial gallery that showcases young and emerging contemporary artists and designers.
The first exhibition will include new work by artists Jon Oakes, Tom Kitchen and Shaphan Cole, as well as work by designers Osian Batyka-Williams, currently preparing to show at the Barbican in London, and Debbie Smyth, who recently exhibited at the AAF in Brussels.
project/ten‘s first exhibition is on show at Cardiff Arts Institute from Mon 22 Mar – Mon 12 Apr. A social takes place on Fri 26 Mar. Admission: free.