Be the first to see acclaimed artist Jacqueline Poncelet’s museum debut at MIMA

If you’re a lover of art, mark your calendar because the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art (MIMA) is gearing up for a spectacular showcase of Jacqueline Poncelet’s incredible journey through five decades.

Supported by the Freelands Foundation through the annual Freelands Award, this is Poncelet’s first museum exhibition, her largest and most ambitious show to date.

Opening its doors from 1^st February 2024 until 23^rd June 2024, it presents a rare opportunity to view the artist’s work, ranging from new, large-scale watercolour paintings to delicate ceramics made in the 1970s which were part of significant national collections at the time.

Jacqueline, born in Liege, Belgium, in 1947, has left an indelible mark on the art world with her exuberant, joyful, and reflective creations.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The exhibition promises an immersive experience, offering a rare glimpse into the evolution of her artistic journey, from delicate ceramics in the 1970s to new, large-scale watercolour paintings.

The display is an ode to Poncelet’s relentless exploration of materials, industrial processes and a connection to cityscapes and rural landscapes.

Supported by the Henry Moore Foundation, the exhibition is organised thematically across four gallery spaces, providing a captivating narrative of Poncelet’s artistic evolution.

The first gallery juxtaposes her earliest bone-china pots with expansive watercolour paintings, showcasing the artist’s mastery of scale and form. Then, the second gallery is a deep dive into Poncelet’s ceramic work from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s revealing the intricate intersection of art and industrial techniques.

The heart of MIMA’s expansive exhibition lies in its largest gallery space, a colourful explosion of pattern and joy featuring paintings and large-scale carpet work from the early 1990s. This section showcases Poncelet’s ability to weave memories of interiors into highly patterned compositions, demonstrating her multidisciplinary approach.

And in the finale, the exhibition presents a juxtaposition of Poncelet’s mid-1980s figurative ceramic sculptures with her latest large-scale watercolours, inspired by her time in South Wales. This closing exhibition not only showcases her evolving style but also ties together the threads of her remarkable career.

A REPRESENTATION OF MIDDLESBROUGH’S PAST

Jacqueline Poncelet’s deep engagement with Middlesbrough’s history of production is evident throughout the exhibition. Immersing herself in the region’s industrial past, she draws inspiration from early ceramics and visits the site of the last steelworks.

Poncelet’s connection to MIMA’s approach, rooted in the industrial history of Teesside University’s local environment, is a testament to the exhibition’s thoughtful curation.

‘I have loved getting to know Middlesbrough and the wider area and have connected with so many fascinating people and places through the process,’ says Jacqueline. ‘In the process of making the publication and the exhibition, I’m learning so much about myself.’

Beyond the gallery walls, Poncelet is set to unveil a new site-specific public artwork in 2025, reflecting the Tees Valley’s heritage, built environment and creative communities. The exhibition also features a substantial community engagement program and a monograph, the artist’s first, published with Anomie Hurtwood.

Accompanying the exhibition, Poncelet curates a display from the Middlesbrough Collection, drawing from the unique collection of jewellery associated with the New Jewellery Movement. This adds a layer of depth to the showcase, providing a unique perspective on Poncelet’s contribution to British ceramics.

VISIT MIMA’S WEBSITE

MIMA, Centre Square, Middlesbrough TS1 2AZ

• Share: