We are delighted to announce that Tabatha Andrews, Subject Tutor on the BA Art and Contemporary Craft programme at West Dean College, is presenting her solo exhibition, The Slightest Gesture, at Exeter Phoenix. The exhibition opens on April 26th and runs until June 21st, showcasing new works that explore the connections between the body, non-verbal communication, and the tactile qualities of materials. As part of the exhibition, Tabatha has created immersive sculptural installations that draw attention to touch, movement, listening, and the subtle, intimate gestures that shape our daily lives. The works on display including carvings, castings, and repurposed objects reflect Tabatha's exploration of sculptural form as it relates to the human body. 

At West Dean College, we pride ourselves on fostering a spirit of collaboration across departments, and this project is a perfect example. The college supported Tabatha by providing workshop access across various departments, alongside brilliant technical assistance from Neil Finch and other staff. The Clocks and Furniture departments have played a pivotal role in the development of the exhibition, with students Layla La Monde (GD Furniture Conservation) and Dan Batty (BA Clocks) contributing their exceptional craft skills and ingenuity. 

This collaborative approach extended beyond the college walls. The exhibition was developed over an extended period as part of a socially engaged, collaborative sculpture and dance project, in which the artist worked with Freefall+, a group of young, creative and learning-disabled adults who meet weekly at Exeter Phoenix to engage with the arts in an inclusive space. It presents sculptures that were informed or inspired by their interactions, alongside works that were co-created with the group during their sessions.Together with dance practitioners from South-West Dance Hub, Andrews aimed to unlock the primal creative experience that sculpture can inspire. Their regular workshops explored translation; from one state to another, one material to another, one language to another, one body to another. They explored diverse ways of being and moving, celebrating intimate, everyday gestures, of routine, of care, joy or exhaustion, and translating them into sculptural form in a variety of tactile, haptic materials. The visceral response to touch, texture, weight, balance and movement that all humans share. 

The project will culminate in June with the presentation of The Gifts, a bespoke multisensory sculptural collection commissioned by Exeter Phoenix which will form an ongoing community legacy and resource for the city’s learning disabled and neurodiverse communities. This project is supported by an Arts Council National Lottery Project Grant, Exeter Phoenix, Exeter City Council, Pelican Projects and Positive Light Projects. It also demonstrates the ongoing commitment of West Dean College to support the creative ambitions of its students and staff, fostering a rich environment where art, craft, and conservation come together in meaningful and impactful ways. 

We are proud to see Tabatha’s exceptional work come to life and invite everyone to experience The Slightest Gesture in person at Exeter Phoenix this spring.