At the end of July Watch This Space will bid farewell to our co-director Bridget Chappell. Bridget has been a crucial part of the boon in programming WTS has enjoyed over the past year. They oversaw the expansion of the library at Watch this Space, increasing its range of titles to include a miscellany of art journals, poetry chapbooks and zines from across the continent, with a particular focus on small presses and self-published projects. In tandem with this they played a critical role in developing the 2021 zine fair, delivering an extraordinary range of performers and publications over the course of two days. Their organising of the radical typography workshop provided the local community with an opportunity to learn font-making skills and contribute to the custom Watch This Space font which will be revealed later this year. This was also an opportunity to engage in a wider political discourse about how fonts operate socially and what kinds of assumptions about space and ownership particular fonts reinforce. In August 2021 Bridget coordinated mini residencies for a number of local artists in the absence of a Travelling Artist In Residence, allowing a flurry of activity from local artists and collectives. Of course, Bridget also played a critical role in the inaugural Coober Pedy art camp. This camp has spawned numerous creative relationships and collaborations and is set to facilitate even more as its second iteration approaches. Bridget has also been a generous and attentive point of contact, resource and collaborator for many travelling artists in residence and studio artists alike. We thank them for devoting their energies to WTS.
Co-directing WTS is a role that often demands the suspension of one’s own creative projects and practice. Being run, as we are, primarily by artists, we want to acknowledge that this is not always an easy task for those working in the directorial roles. We greatly appreciate the good faith that Bridget has brought to the role and the organisation. As an Artist-Run Initiative we want to improve staff’s ability to attend to their creative projects and collaborations alongside the labour that keeps Watch This Space running. As such, we appreciate Bridget’s suggestions and insights as to how this might be possible.
Bridget and Charlie were the first Co-Directors in the history of WTS, a model that has long been desired by former directors. The patience and commitment they have shown in figuring out that model’s potentialities and failings has been an enormous asset to Watch This Space and is sure to greatly benefit the Co-Directors yet to come. For this, we thank them deeply.
As many of those who have previously been involved with Watch This Space will testify, a change in role is rarely a departure, more often it is a change in relation. Bridget will remain part of our community and we’re sure we’ll work together again soon. Until then, we wish them the very best and will follow their next ventures with excitement and solidarity.
— Gabriel Curtin
Chair, Watch This Space
Bridget says,
Watch This Space is an ARI like no other, and it’s been a very special time being its co-pilot. It’s been an honour and a pleasure getting to work with and learn from the community that makes up all its parts. In particular I’d like to thank Charlie, my co director, who has made me laugh, think in new ways, and feel heard and seen every day we’ve worked together here. I’m looking forward to watching what WTS does next and being involved in other capacities. Thanks again, so much, for having me on the ride so far.
Charlie says,
I could never have imagined a more generous and generative, fast and furious co-host for the WTS show. There is a very special community that holds this space together but the intimacy of a co-directorship is the ultimate upkeep; demanding your constant care and attention, for the space, surrounding communities and importantly, for each other. It’s been a pleasure and a privilege to nurture this thing together, in opalescent high definition. I’ll be forever grateful for your collaboration in this great charade and I’ll miss you dearly. I can’t wait to see your practice evolve on the other side of spaces like these.