TACO Torre Abbey Contemporay Open 2009

16th July - 31st August 2009

ARTIST’S BRIEF
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for exceptional artists to showcase the diverse talent in the South West.
This is an exciting opportunity to exhibit your work alongside internationally acclaimed artist
Antony Gormley and his piece entitled Field for the British Isles*. This captivating piece consists of
approximately 40,000 terracotta figures standing together in an enclosed space namely the historic
Spanish Barn at Torre Abbey.
This is a huge milestone for not only for Torre Abbey but for the region and will offer a shared audience
to less established artists in a fantastic setting.
Torre Abbey has a new gallery space and opened in 2008 with the Blank Canvas festival and
exhibition which sought to highlight inspirational, high quality, contemporary work from the region.
All works must be original and any medium is considered although people working in digital media
may be asked to provide their own equipment. In addition there are numerous indoor spaces which could be
utilised. These spaces can be seen on the Artist Open Days, detailed below.
Who is eligible?
All artists living or working in or having a connection with the South West are welcome to apply.
Priority will be given to Devon based artists although all applications will be considered on merit.
Will there be an opportunity for artists to look at the spaces?
Artist Open Days will be held on Friday 27th February (10am) and Saturday 7th March (2pm).
A tour will be given and you will have the opportunity to meet some of the project team.
These days will give you the chance to look at the spaces available and consider the work you may wish
to put forward. Tours will last one hour with time for questions afterwards.
To book a place please contact Torre Abbey 01803 293593 specifying which date you would prefer.
Please note this is purely a booking line, for queries please see below.
How do I apply?
For the exhibition, we will be following a process similar to the Royal Academy. We would like to invite
all artists to bring along 3 examples of original work to the Abbey on either Friday 27th March (2pm) or
Saturday 28th March (10am). A panel of judges will then select the work to be included in the exhibition.
If selected we will expect to exhibit these pieces in the 2009 TACO show. For artists working in
3-dimensional forms or digital formats, alternative arrangements can be made.
Please can you inform Emma Carter of which day you would like to submit (27th or 28th March).
You will then be informed where to park and unload/collect your work.
Chosen work must be available from 13th July until early September 2009.
Please note this date is subject, but not expected to change. Please note: 25% commission will be
taken by the Abbey for all works sold. This will feed directly back into the continued development
of the creative venue.
What spaces are available to use?
Numerous sites within the Abbey itself and we are keen to use the gardens and cloister area.
The Spanish Barn, well known for hosting C Visual Arts will house Antony Gormley’s piece.
All these spaces can be viewed at the Artist Open Days – see below.
If I work in 3D/digital/multimedia how do I apply?
To apply, please send in the following:
• The TACO submission form (see ‘call to artist’ to download form)
• 4 good quality prints of recent work or a CD (see end of form)
• A short artist statement (approx 100 words) and current C.V.
• A SAE for return of images if required
THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS 31st MARCH 2009
For queries and submissions, please contact Emma Carter on 07798 571905
(please leave a message if unavailable), email info@emmacarter.com or post to:
19 Headland Park Road, Preston, Paignton TQ3 2EN.
16th July - 31st August 2009

*The Gormley will be a free exhibition in the Spanish Barn. There is a charge for entry to the main Abbey where TACO will be held. There is no charge to apply to take part in TACO

For more information visit http://www.torre-abbey.co.uk/