Portalis

an image of a cave on a black background overlaid with white text reading "Portalis 31 mar - 2 apr 2023"

Portalis was an exhibition presenting six artists’ concepts of the cave, reflecting on personal experiences, memories and associations. The exhibition spanned five portal themes: inner self, transformation, spirituality, the underworld and adventure.

In many cultures and traditions, caves are portals to the underworld, places of mystery and discovery - sacred places to explore and connect the inner self to the earth. Cave thresholds symbolise the unknown, the mysterious and the mystical.

This exhibition is the result of a long-running annual collaboration between Nottingham Contemporary and Nottingham Trent University. Post and Undergraduate students join their disciplines of Fine Art, Interior Architecture, Photography and Graphic Design to research, produce and document a new exhibition. For 2022-23, students responded to the exhibition Hollow Earth: Art, Caves and The Subterranean Imaginary.

Thanks to our partner Nottingham Trent University.

an install shot of a dark gallery space with sculptures and paintings
an install shot of a dark gallery space with sculptures and paintings
an illustration of a person holding a torch in a cave
an install shot of a dark gallery space with sculptures and paintings
an install shot of a dark gallery space with sculptures and paintings
an install shot of a dark gallery space with sculptures and paintings
a plaster sculpture
a clay sculpture
the exhibition leaflets for Portalis next to A stone
the exhibition leaflets for Portalis
a web of string
a clay sculpture with virus like sculptures coming off it
a clay sculpture on a plinth in a dark space

Photos: Marwa Ali and Raluca Popa

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