08 Over and Out
A Thought…
From Ronan
I opened HOME in 2020 with the strong intention of creating a shared space which could present innovative exhibitions, while offering a library, free workspace, and a gathering space to host events. Although successful in many ways, I had to make the difficult decision to close HOME’s physical space in December 2022 after struggling to keep it afloat. It’s been almost a year since it’s physical closure, and alongside my incredible and inspiring team; Courtney, Haja, Shadeh and Elif, we’ve continued the ethos of HOME through a series of special projects including the birthing of this very newsletter, our podcast, and pop up activations.
2023 has proven to be a difficult year for many of us, and we’ve all been through both professional and personal transitions. Globally, times are testing, and the HOMEies and I are all in the process of discovering what truly makes us happy, and how to spend as much time as we can doing that. Personally, my practice has continued to expand and I’m finding my feet with a new lease of energy for education, exploration and play.
It feels like an appropriate time to set HOME down, to preserve the strength it had and has as a project, and the special time and place that it continues to hold in our hearts, but allowing ourselves the freedom to transition in to the next phases of our creative practices in whichever shape or form that may take. Writing HOME and HOME Impressions will be on pause for a little while, while we redefine its meaning for us and to come back collectively as Haja, Elif, Ronan, Courtney and Shadeh, on equal ground.
Before we go - I was kindly invited to Ghana by Gallery 1957 in September, and have recorded a special collaborative episode of HOME Impressions sharing five moments from the trip; from Eric Gyamfi’s home and studio, to the excellent Dikan Centre by Paul Ninson. I share the conflicting thoughts around my sense of place, belonging, and the over-explaining of ideas to gain funding or support, alongside a new perspective on allyship and being in an environment which prioritises time in different ways. Listen here.
HOME has been a special journey, and we would love the opportunity to cement HOME’s legacy in printed matter - an archive of our exhibitions, essays, artist responses, parties and programme, so if you are a publisher and interested in collaborating, please do get in touch!
Writing to you with honestly and respect; this chapter is closed for now, but it’s still only the beginning.
Thank you for being on this journey with us.
Ronan