Oraculum Petere

The Autobiography of A Super-Tramp looks at two different approaches to pursuing our goals – whether we focus our ambitions at home or further afield. It features those artists who embed themselves in a locality or scene and those who adopt the position of a romantic ‘Littlest Hobo’ outsider, their nomadic practice embracing globalisation and increasing inter-national homogeneity. The local is often seen as static and unique, a place of fixity, tradition and continuity. It is often contrasted with the global, a supposed realm of unfettered mobility and dynamism, of continuous transformation. Those artists who move toward these opportunities, wherever that takes them pit the lure of the unknown against the desire to remain. The Autobiography of A Super-Tramp takes its title from a novel by W H Davies published in 1908. Davies left his native south Wales for America and meandered across the States and into Canada via railroad in pursuit of opportunities and, in many ways, happiness before eventually returning to the UK. His travels are documented as a long saga, reminiscent of Don Quixote. The episodes paint a picture of a man for whom standing and staring was desirable but the urge to stay on the move was ever present. In conjunction with the exhibition, Unit #1, a new rolling programme of exhibitions and projects will present new and recent work from three artists throughout the duration of The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp. Artists include: S Mark Gubb, Rachel Calder, Paul Emmanuel, Matthews and Allen, Peter Finnemore, Paul R Jones, Rebecca Gould, David Shepherd, Huw Andrews, Owen Martell & Simon Proffitt, Bedwyr Williams and Cerith Wyn Evans.