PRESS RELEASE
And Breathe…
2 October – 14 November 2015. Exhibition open Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 6pm. Free.
Over the last ten years, visual artist Jayne Wilton has created a body of work that explores
the act of breathing.
Her installations, drawings, videos and sculptures make visible the ephemeral human
breath. Wilton’s immersive and subtle works depict various breathing gestures and
interrogate overlooked dynamics in unconscious and automatic human processes. Wilton
uses traditional and non-traditional drawing materials to capture the fragility and resilience
of the breath.
Recent work will be on display at the Old Fire Station Gallery from 2 October to 14
November 2015, including a selection from her series of works titled Drawing Breath. This
body of work uses dark room processes to capture the trace of a breath as it moves across a
surface, creating evocative records of an unseen moment. Small scale installation Crowd
uses similar processes to record spent breath with light on photographic film.
Jayne has honed her practice and perfected a series of specialised techniques that allow her
to capture incredible subtle and delicate gestures on film.
She says;
“In my most recent work on film I have recorded the traces of participants’ breath
whilst they sing. The intensity and the variety of the marks created through these
intimate short performances was very poignant and moving.”
Wilton will also be showing a series of fragile graphite drawings; Expire. Bubbles dusted with
graphite burst onto paper - creating a fugitive and delicate drawing that refers to structures
which hold or contain the breath. Alongside exploring drawing practices, Wilton has utilised
printmaking processes to create a series of etched copper plates. These plates bear the
marks left from the condensation of an exhalation onto the plate – and are retained when
etched by Wilton in her studio, creating a permanent rendition of an ephemeral moment.
About Jayne Wilton
Wilton graduated with an MA from The Slade School of Fine Art, UCL in 2010. She completed
a Leverhulme funded residency at Brunel University, London in 2013 and was awarded Arts
Council funding for a recent residency at the Royal Brompton NHS Trust Hospital. She is
currently a member of the Life of Breath Project Team led by Bristol and Durham
Universities and funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Related Events
And Breathe… Workshop
Saturday 3 October, 1pm – 3pm
Join us for three drawing related activities capturing the unseen breath.
Participants can try their hand at some of the alternative drawing techniques that Jayne
Wilton uses to create her work Expire and practice traditional still life techniques drawing a
blown glass bubble.
Places limited. Ages 10+
Film Nights
Wednesdays 7, 21 October and 4 November, 7.30pm – 9.30pm
A series of illustrated talks by film historian Andrew Hogan explores the theme of breath and
breathing in film. Including short films by Jayne Wilton, linking to her exhibition And
Breathe… Each talk will be illustrated with examples from film history and will conclude with
a feature presentation.
Both events are free. Please book your place via Tickets Oxford, 01865 305305 or in person
at the Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, Oxford, OX1 2LW
ENDS
For more information please contact Alex Coke, Marketing Manager
Alexandra.coke@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263988.
Arts at the Old Fire Station
A thriving arts centre in the heart of Oxford, showcasing the best of local and international
performance and artwork, which takes a risk and entertains.
 Theatre, comedy, dance, music, visual art and design.
 Space for performance, exhibitions, rehearsals, meetings, classes, innovation and
debate.
 Working closely with the homelessness charity, Crisis, helping to build the
confidence and skills of people who are homeless through projects and
opportunities.
Website: www.oldfirestation.org.uk
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