Sarah Chapman

Sarah Chapman

Job title: Director of Peninsula Arts, Peninsular Arts (Faculty of Arts)
Address: RLB1A, Roland Levinsky Building, Drake Circus,
Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA
Telephone: +441752585038
Email: sarah.chapman@plymouth.ac.uk

Qualifications & background

Since graduating with an MA in Sequential Design from University of Brighton in 2002, I have taught on both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Plymouth University including, BA Media Arts, MA Publishing, BA/BSc Digital Arts and Technology, as well as being a visiting lecturer at Swansea Metropolitan University. I am currently completing my PhD entitled Marking the Photograph: in defence of graphic intervention, which brings together my interest in drawing and photography.

This direct involvement in current research within art practice has benefited my role as curator at Peninsula Arts. It has allowed me to engage with a number of key debates which impact on both curation and rethinking the role of arts for contemporary audiences. In addition to my involvement with the development of the public arts programme within Peninsula Arts, I also enjoy working with the University of Plymouth Press as an Art Director. Recent involvements include art direction on the annual publication Short Fiction (since 2006-2011), the 20 Romanian Writers series (2009-2013) and the forthcoming artbook, which celebrates the internationally acclaimed Romanian artists Dan and Lia Perjovschi: The Art of Marginalia (2012). Peninsula Arts is supporting the publication by showcasing the first ever exhibition of their work in the South West (Peninsula Arts gallery, November-December 2012).

I have overseen the organisation of a number of Festivals and symposiums, a recent example was the 'Plymouth Whale Festival' (February 2011), which was inspired by the book Leviathan, or the Whale by Philip Hoare (winner of the 2009 Samuel Johnson Prize for non-fiction). I continue to work with Philip Hoare and artist Angela Cockayne on Moby Dick Redux - a 21st Century audio and visual rendition of Herman Melville's 19th Century classic novel made accessible for new audiences. Moby Dick Redux will be launched at the 'Plymouth International Book Festival' (12th-16th September 2012) in partnership with Peninsula Arts, Cyprus Wells and Faculty of Arts, Plymouth University.

Other research
2012: "Public Arts as Interdisciplinary and Extra-Curricular Learning"

A TFAS award that examines the beneficial role public arts can play within the student learning experience (both formal and informally) across a range of art and science disciplines.

Teaching Qualification: GTA (General Teaching Award, 2006).

Publications

Chapman, S., in Cockayne, A. & Hoare, P., Dominion: A Whale Symposium. (Bath: Wunderkammer Press, January 2012).

Chapman, S. ‘What Can University Galleries Offer?’ in Quinn, P., Cabinet: Changing Perceptions (Plymouth University Press, 2011), 20-21.

Art Direction / Design

Crowley, D., Dan & Lia Perjovschi, The Art of Marginalia. (Plymouth University Press, November 2012).

20 Romanian Writer series, (Plymouth University Press, 2009-2013).

Short Fiction, series 1-5, (Plymouth University Press, 2007-2011).

Additional information

I have a particular interest in fostering critical debate and believe that the free exchange of ideas and constructive contestation underpin the development of all progressive ideas. Debate one might argue is the pre condition for a healthy society and Universities prize their commitment to the free spirit of enquiry. In this tradition Peninsula Arts supports ‘The Disputables’ a new Plymouth based debating platform, which encourages a questioning and intelligent approach to discussion on all matters that both impact on and influence our lives.

7th February 2012: "Digital Natives or Digital Captives? How is Technology Changing Young People?" Alan Earl (Police Officer and advisor on Internet Child Abuse Team), Andy Phippen (Professor of Social responsibility in IT, Plymouth University), Darren Towers (Media Advanced teacher, Stoke Damerell Community College), Neil De Witt (Associate Professor, Head of Technology Enhanced Learning).

4th November 2011: "Should austerity be embraced or rejected?" Oliver Colvile (MP Member for Plymouth, Sutton and devonport), Daniel Ben Ami (Author of 'Ferraris for All'), Simon Ashby (Plymouth Business School), Danny Bamping (Chairman 23Acorns Group), Rob Gawthrop (University College Falmouth).

Please see the Peninsula Arts website for more information.