Motorcycle Cultures: fashioning bikes, building identities

Curatorial project.
Motorcycle Cultures: fashioning bikes, building identities, is co-curated by Caryn Simonson and Space Station Sixty Five. This artist-led exhibition captures some of the motorcycling identities that make different motorcycle ‘cultures’ distinct.

Motorcycle culture has been a source of inspiration for fashion, film, literature and music ever since motorcycles and their riders were first seen on the streets. The exhibition brings together contemporary art, photography and design, image and object, concept and documentation. Motorcycle Cultures seeks to explore the close link between motorcycle styles and visual identities that are fashioned in tandem with these. Themes addressed include: the aesthetics of speed; the DIY ethos of the custom culture scene; and the importance of community, lifestyle and value that the motorcycle can engender.

The work shown is a curated eclectic mix of designed objects, advertising, fashion, photography, film and textiles rather than a comprehensive survey of styles.

Exhibits include: Cathie Pilkington’s Gonk sculpture; Sam Christmas’ custom culture photographs; Phil Polglaze’s original documentary photographs of the Rockers’ Reunion; Mac Motorcycles’ prototype motorbike; Tom Helyar-Cardwell’s ‘Battle Jacket’ paintings and drawings; Philippa Brock’s woven denims ‘Cherish’; Kate Smith’s video work; Caryn Simonson’s ‘dressed up’ motorcycle portraits; Nick Clements’ re-enactment photographs; Erling T.V Klingenberg’s motorbike painting performance; Craig Fisher’s hazard installation; Kathryn Round’s jacket on jacket; Chris Watson’s Bad Motorcycle screenprints; and David Simmonds’ photos exploring speed and embodiment at the TT.

Exhibitors:

Philippa Brock, Nick Clements, Sam Christmas, Craig Fisher, Adam Fuller, Tom Helyar-Cardwell, Rachael House, Erling T.V. Klingenberg, Ellis Pitt, Cathie Pilkington, Phil Polglaze, Kathryn Round, David Simmonds, Caryn Simonson, Kate Smith, Chris Watson.

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