Learning Curve Gallery, Quay Arts. Sat 21 Jan - Sat 25 Feb. Preview: Sat 21 Jan 3.30pm

This exhibition is by art students from Island Innovation Trust Sixth Form Campus (the joint sixth form of Carisbrooke College and Medina College) working with artist Chris Jenkins. It is a response to The Urban Wastelands Project in The West Gallery (10 Dec – 4 Feb) and focuses on themes of forgotten, derelict spaces.

The students explored the derelict Newport Power Station and the boat yards along the River Medina, documenting and experiencing their surroundings. They started to gather objects of interest and disused materials which are present in this exhibition. Using Painting, collage, photography and textiles, they created their own ‘terrains vagues’ which developed into the multimedia installation you see here.

Whilst the exhibition reflects a strong sense of dereliction and neglect, echoing what is no longer relevant to modern society, it also celebrates these spaces. It invites the audience to explore beyond first impressions and contains several hidden narratives. It is an effort to convey the curiosity and excitement of exploring where so much has happened but has also been left behind.

Quay Arts is a member organisation of the Island Innovation Trust, alongside The University of Portsmouth, IW NHS Primary Care Trust, The Quarr Group, Yokogawa Marex Ltd and Solo.