Archives: Projects

“Our Shadows Are Long”

“Our Shadows Are Long” is a joint exhibition between two community darkrooms: Fotohane in Turkey and Contact Darkroom in Totnes.

The show brings together images made by Fotohane’s students in Mardin, taken as part of their workshops with young people during which particapants are encouraged to play and experiment freely. Alongside this work, they are showing photographs captured as part of a visit by Contact, along with a few extracts from a film about Fotohane and Mardin.

Their collaboration grew from a shared passion for photography and darkroom culture, and its power to move and empower people of all ages, especially young people. Serbest, one of Fotohane’s founders, is a Syrian refugee who began running workshops to help connect young refugees to the world around them.

INSIDE UFO

KARST’s studio artists invite you to a sculptural test space at KARST.

Something speaks to you, as if from a great distance, of hidden structures; of what might or might not be there; of excess, compression, mass; of things that shouldn’t be inside you but are; of the subterranean and how to map it; of flesh and wet and pulp and pipe, fleece and rubber and plastic. One choice might lead you towards a threshold, another into a rift. Turn to the page of your choosing.

INSIDE UFO is the result of two peer-led residencies conducted by Anna Boland, Laura Hopes, Tom Pether, and Laura Robertson. The artists coined the term Unidentified Familiar Objects, or UFOs, to describe the found materials at the heart of their practice. Their shared aesthetic favours material interest over polite redaction. The work is maximal and unpolished.

The exhibition takes its name from Edward Packard’s 1982 choose your own adventure book Inside UFO 54-40, in which the reader is invited to search for Ultima, a fabled planet of paradise. Ultima can only be reached by accident — by stumbling across a page the book will never navigate you to. The book carries a special warning: “No one can get there by making choices or following instructions. There is one way to reach Ultima. Maybe you’ll find it.”

The show will be opening on Thursday 14 May, 5.30 – 7.30pm. Join the artists on Saturday 16 May, 12pm – 1pm, for a discussion panel in KARST’s FENSTER project space.

Test Space: Charlotte Henry-Stumpe and Lily Maddocks

Recent graduates, Charlotte Henry-Stumpe (Arts University Plymouth) and Lily Maddocks (Bath Spa University), present work they have developed during their six month residency at KARST.

Charlotte Henry-Stumpe draws together scrapstore textile artifacts to create costumes of emboldenment, identity markers and acts of resistance against the quiet violences inherited within local communities. Henry-Stumpe attempts to navigate a cultural backdrop in which the uncertainty of changing community identity has been met with obsessive national pride. The high-vis workwear featured in her work embodies shared experiences, whilst the repeated flag imagery represents something more sinister. By disrupting these homogenised, mass-produced fabrics, she hopes to make obsolete their attached norms and imagines how they could be re-made, re-worn and passed on as local history or myth.

Lily Maddocks uses her practice to engage with and respond to her environment, working directly with materials collected during time spent outdoors. Using found and foraged earth pigments, Lily forms a connection between location, method and material, working closely with the ground. Her work in Test Space displays a growing body of pigments she has collected over the past five months during her residency at KARST. These pigments represent multiple areas across the South West, from the north coast of Somerset to Dartmoor and the south coast of Devon.

Opening Event:
27 February, 5.30 – 7.30pm

Artists in conversation with KARST’s Head of Programme, Ben Borthwick:
28 February, 12 – 1pm

Doorway Guardians

Doorway Guardians is a year-long collaborative project between KARST, Matt’s Gallery and Flatland Projects, comprising a series of three large woodcarvings by Annie Whiles. The sculptures – Attendant, Minder and Sentinel – combine the imagery and culture of British seaside destinations with the media and methods of painted medieval religious carvings, while echoing the artist’s memories of molded- plastic charity collection boxes of the 1960s and ‘70s.

The sculptures are designed to stand in the entranceways and thoroughfares of gallery buildings. Their role as divine attendants is to be preoccupied but open, listening and on watch, to be touched. Eccentric and idiosyncratic, Whiles’ work combines highly accomplished technical skill with cheeky humour. There is often more than meets the eye – hidden elements and surprises are there for those who look.

Throughout 2026, different Guardians will simultaneously occupy entrance spaces at Matt’s Gallery in London, Flatland Projects in Bexhill-on-Sea and KARST in Plymouth. They will be rotated and exchanged, setting up an evolving series of encounters for visitors at all three venues. Collaboration between public arts organisations across the UK is central to the project, with the Guardians taking on a civic role that encourages a sense of public ownership. A spirit of cooperation is embodied through touring and sharing the work.

Doorway Guardians was developed by Annie Whiles with support from an Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice grant and Goldsmiths, University of London. The exhibition is developed in partnership between Matt’s Gallery, Flatland Projects and KARST, with support from the Henry Moore Foundation.

KARST Volunteers: Cyclical Tensions

Cyclical Tensions is a show by KARST volunteers: AS•I•AM, Dana Aala, Elisa Margot Winters, Erica Luke, Flora Elford, Lucy Walker, Sarah Trotter, curated by Nis Murat.

The works articulate a collective inquiry into repetition, routine, and resistance, whether encountered intentionally or subconsciously, as both a strategy and a conceptual condition. Repetition here is never neutral: it generates tension. It does not promise stability; it exposes vulnerability and temporality. The works enact a resistant gesture against disappearance, inhabiting spaces where memory, process, and fragility continually press against one another.

This show is grounded in the notion that repetition is not static. Each iteration, each routine, each cycle bears the weight of contingency, sustaining a tension that accumulates between sameness and difference, stability and instability, revealing the strain on the efforts that strive to persist within them. What remains is not the perfect copy, but the unresolved resonance: the glitch, the stain, the hand, the horizon line drawn once more.

Opening Event: Friday 5 September, 6-8pm

SCANITAS:lab by Tom Milnes

Following on from SCANITAS, Tom Milnes’ solo show at Studio KIND, SCANITAS:lab presents in-process experiments in 3D sculptural and 2D printed works that uncover the nature of 3D-scans and spatial imagery. Exploring the transience of three dimensional imaging methods through the laboratory format, works evolve within the gallery space – highlighting the technology’s limitations in its ability to capture form and space.

Through these evolving works, Milnes explores thematics of glitched still-life imagery as a contemporary take on 17th century Flemish ‘vanitas’ artworks. These works included objects such as exotic fruits in decaying states, precious metal and glass craftware, beautiful dying flowers, and skulls which hold a symbolic significance in their representation of the ephemerality of life. Vanitas works continue to hold high cultural significance – dealing with the duality of human transience whilst providing methods for revealing technological fallibility.

In SCANITAS:lab, the works produced use scans of objects reminiscent of those that appear in the original vanitas paintings. The photogrammetric technology employed by Milnes is confused by anything transparent, reflective, complex, repetitive, or patterned, so the objects appear glitched and indistinct as the image-making technology struggles to understand them. The resulting sculptures and images are warped and stretched, creating a contemporary vanitas to expose the fragility and temporality of both humanity and technology.

The 3D works are presented as paper sculptures using a technique known as Pepakura, a form of paper craft which takes a 3D model and creates printable, flat nets of the object that can be cut and folded to form a 3D paper sculpture. The printed 2D works include glitched 3D model images and 3D scan textures that create layered collage works; as well as pen-plotted images of 3D-scans and photographic fakes of sculptural works.

Opening Event

Friday 5 September, 6-8pm

Test Space: Jemima Mansell and Maisy Timney

Recent graduates, Jemima Mansell (Arts University Plymouth) and Maisy Timney (Bath Spa University), present work they have developed during their six month residency at KARST.

In a society of increasing digital nativeness, Jemima Mansell’s practice explores the relationships we form with our immediate digital technology and the blurring of boundaries between human and non-human. Recently, her practice has consisted of sculptural, print and text-based works, exploring ontological ideas with a focus on the strange comfort technology can provide during periods of grief.

Maisy Timney’s paintings explore the tension between the painted surface and the pictorial image. Through layered colour fields, gestural marks and precise brushwork, Maisy creates compositions that balance movement with painterly structure and experiment with transparency and texture. Repetition plays a key role as a recurring motif, with marks emerging through deliberate, rehearsed techniques of applying paint.

Opening Event

Friday 28 February, 6-9pm

Artists in conversation with KARST Head of Programme Ben Borthwick

Saturday 8 March, 12-1pm

KARST x KIND: SCANITAS by Tom Milnes

SCANITAS is an exhibition at Studio KIND. by KARST studio holder Tom Milnes. In this solo show, Tom Milnes displays a collection of 3D sculptural and 2D printed works exploring the thematics of glitched still-life images – a contemporary take on the ‘vanitas’ popular in 17th century Flemish painting.

Vanitas paintings focused on the symbolic impact of ‘vanity’ – in this context, referring to futility and pointlessness of material wealth. The objects depicted in vanitas (such as decaying, dying flowers, and skulls) often represent transient riches and the ephemerality of life. The Flemish vanitas works continue to hold high cultural significance today, providing methods for revealing technological fragility and pointlessness.

Tom Milnes is an artist, researcher, and curator. His practice explores the materiality of imagery and technology, engaging with the cultural impact of media through glitches, errors or hidden subcultures. Milnes has exhibited internationally including at: W139 – Amsterdam , AND/OR – London, CEAC – Xiamen, The Centre for Contemporary Art Laznia – Gdansk, and Gyeonggi International Biennale – Korea. He is the curator of the online platform Polygon Palm.

The private view at Studio KIND. will be on Friday 31 January (6-8pm) and the exhibition will be on view until Saturday 1 March. Click here to find out more.

KARST x KIND is an ongoing collaboration linking artists and organisations in North and South Devon. SCANITAS is the third annual exhibition at Studio KIND. by a KARST studio holder, following Katy Richardson’s exhibition A Cake of Painted Tin and Anna Boland’s exhibition SPY-nul.

Rolodex Propaganda

Polygon Palm presents Rolodex Propaganda, developed by KARST studio holder Tom Milnes. Exploring recent developments of NetArt and the ethics of digital/virtual image production, Rolodex Propaganda is a confrontation of propaganda, corruption, deep fakes, and deception.

As part of The Wrong Biennale, the project existed as an online, mobile-only embassy. Now at KARST, the digital works have been developed by the featured artists in a series of physical manifestations, installations, and screenings.

Featured artists include: Clareese Hill, Clement Valla, Helene Kazan, Katie Zazenski, Marc Blazel, Max Colson, MicheÃ¡l O’Connell (Mocksim), Raphael Fabre, Shane Sutherland, Theo Ellison, and Tom Milnes.

Rolodex Propaganda opens at KARST on 18 April (6-8pm) and is on view until 27 April.

The Joyous Thing #5

In partnership with Outlands, KARST presents a weekend of experimental music and performance in Plymouth. The Joyous Thing #5 is an opportunity to experience talking, dancing, singing and socialising. Together, we will explore the connected themes of collaboration, mutual support, and equality of access — centred around the vital question: how do we continue to keep things Joyous?

Boundary-breaking musicians NikNak and I AM FYA kick off proceedings on Thursday with live performances at Leadworks. On Friday, KARST hosts Penumbra – a new interdisciplinary piece bringing together acclaimed musicians Dali de St Paul & Maxwell Sterling with filmmaker Rebecca Salvadori and light artist Charlie Hope. To conclude the weekend, on Saturday morning artist Rhys Morgan leads a performance by LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir Seaweed in the Fruit Locker at The Lions Den, followed by a sea swim.

Throughout the weekend KARST and Leadworks will also host a range of talks and workshops focused around producing and presenting experimental and interdisciplinary performance.

Turntabalism Workshop with NikNak
Thursday 4 April, 5-6pm
Leadworks
Free

NikNak presents a relaxed Turntablism workshop at Leadworks specifically for LGBTQIA+ People of Colour who also identify as female, trans and non-binary designed to give participants the confidence to play the music they want without fear or anxiety.

NikNak says: “there continues to be a lack of authentic diversity and representation in line-ups in electronic music, especially where DJ-ing is concerned”.

This workshop is specifically for LGBTQIA+ People of Colour who also identify as female, trans and non-binary. To book your place, email info@karst.org.uk.

First Thursdays: NikNak live with support from I AM FYA
Thursday 4 April, 7-11pm
Leadworks
Tickets £9 / £6 (concession) – book here

NikNak is an artist known for her creative and boundary-breaking work, who has gained worldwide recognition with her unusual albums, remixes, and engaging performances. In 2020, she made history as the first Black turntablist to receive the prestigious Oram Award. Not limited to any one genre or role, NikNak is an experimental composer, sound designer, DJ, and electronic artist. With multiple releases, collaborations, and live shows, NikNak stands out for her unique style. Featured in various publications as a rising star, NikNak continues to advance the boundaries of sound innovation with her complex and singular approach to turntables and spatial music production.

I AM FYA has been mesmerising audiences across the UK and beyond with her distinctive collision of live sample manipulation, experimental yet soulful vocals, and full spectrum sonic arrangements. Her performance has recently been described as “Barbadian bass science and undefinable grandeur”.

This is a First Thursdays event in collaboration with Queer District Collective and Minerva.

The Joyous Thing: Outlands Network member-led event
Friday 5 April, 12-4pm
KARST
Free, all welcome

An afternoon of presentations and panel talks from Outlands Network members, featuring a keynote performance from The Cornwall Youth Noise Orchestra and presentations from Jessica Beechey (London / Cornwall), Moogie Wonderland (Penryn), Full of Noises (Barrow), Another Sky (London).

A panel and audience Q&A session will follow, with Karen Sutton (The Oram Awards), Anthea Clarke (I AM FYA), Nicole Raymond (NikNak) and Rhys Morgan (Seaweed in the Fruit Locker), chaired by Caleb Madden (Outlands Network / Spirit of Gravity).

Vocal Improvisation Workshop with Dali de Saint Paul
Friday 5 April, 4-5pm
KARST
Free – book here

In this introductory workshop with Dali de Saint Paul, you will play with exercises and improvisation techniques, and listen to examples from the history of experimental sound and music, exploring the voice as a musical, communal, and political instrument, and how multiple voices can interact in the context of improvisation.

Dali De Saint Paul is a prolific collaborator and a prominent figure in Bristol’s improvised music scene who likes to explore musical dialogues with musicians across different genres. Over 6 years, her improvised project EP/64 involved more than 40 musicians and visual artists across 64 concerts. Described as having a ‘raw vocal style’, Dali is completely self-taught as a vocalist and a musician.

The workshop lasts for 1 hour approx. No experience or musical training is required. Tickets are free but booking is recommended to reserve a space.

Penumbra (Dali de St Paul, Maxwell Stirling, Rebecca Salvadori and Charlie Hope) with support from Jessica Beechey and DJ Bealzedub
Friday 5 April, 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM
KARST
Tickets £9 / £6 (concession) – book here

Penumbra is an experimental performance devised by vocalist Dali de Saint Paul, electronic composer and double bassist Maxwell Sterling, and visual artists Charlie Hope and Rebecca Salvadori. Emerging from a series of collaborative sessions, this new interdisciplinary commission from Outlands comprises a dynamic sonic improvisation structured by a video and lighting score. The project has developed and evolved over a series of live shows touring England in spring 2024 culminating in Plymouth. The tour was produced by Outlands Network member Al Cameron, commissioned by Outlands Network and supported by Arts Council England.

Seaweed in the Fruit Locker and sea swim
Saturday 6 April, 11am-12pm
The Lion’s Den
Free

To conclude The Joyous Thing #5, on Saturday morning artist Rhys Morgan leads a performance by LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir Seaweed in the Fruit Locker at The Lions Den, followed by a sea swim.

Seaweed in the Fruit Locker are an LGBTQIA+ sea shanty choir formed by artist Rhys Morgan to explore collective performance in marginalised communities through the tradition of shanty singing. The choir will be performing a selection of new and traditional shanties which have been rewritten by the choir to reflect their own queer lived experience, often inspired by existing queer narratives within sea faring heritage and using the gay slang language Polari.

Bacon or veggie butties and tea/coffee will be provided for the swimmers by Minerva cafe.

SCHEDULE

Thursday at Leadworks
7PM – DJs
8PM – I AM FYA
9.05PM – NikNak (live)
10-11 PM – DJs

Friday afternoon at KARST
12-4PM – The Joyous Thing member-led event. (details to follow)
4-5PM – Dali de St Paul vocal improvisation workshop

Friday evening at KARST
7.30PM – DJs
8.15PM – Jessica Beechey (live)
9PM – Penumbra (live)
10PM – Beelzedub (DJ)

Saturday morning on The Lions Den
11AM – Seaweed in the Fruit Locker sea shanties (live) and sea swimming
11.30AM – Bacon or veggie butties and tea/coffee for the swimmers

The Joyous Thing 5 is presented by Outlands and KARST with support from Leadworks, Queer District Collective and Minerva.

Outlands has existed since 2017 to support and unite audiences; artists; and producers of experimental and interdisciplinary arts. KARST has been a fundamental part of building this network from its genesis. This event is funded by the Arts Council thanks to the National Lottery.