CultureLabel has long been flying the flag of arty gifts – it’s what we do – turning turning everyone’s favourite art into lovely gifts that are accessible to all. But now Birmingham based artist Mitra Memarzia is turning the art / gift concept on its head and has created a piece of art from lots of previously unwanted gifts. The project is called “The Unwanted Gift Shop” and has been running since 18th January at Walsall’s New Art Gallery. Mitra is currently the gallery’s artist in residence for a period of three months and has transformed the studio space into a gift shop where unwanted items will be celebrated and given a new lease of life. Jumpers, kitsch ornaments and useless gadgets form part of the display, once rejected tat, they are now elevated to artistic status. Visitors to the shop are invited to question and participate in the role of gift exchange, and are asked to “bring an unwanted gift or something you have laying around that you would like me to change into a work of art!” The project forms part of The New Art Gallery’s 10th birthday celebrations where the party theme includes a display of birthday cards created by past exhibiting artists and a dance extravaganza choreographed by artist Lucienne Cole.
For gifts ideas that definitely won’t end up in the “Unwanted Gift Shop” check out CultureLabel’s gift guides HERE.
