The New Art Gallery Walsall.

As a Textiles student I try and visit a variety of different galleries and museums, to get a range of influences and techniques that could help develop my own work. I am currently starting a new project and I'm slightly unsure on the topic I want to do it on, after a lot of deliberation I managed to get to the subject of 'The Unknown', this covering a huge range of categories such as; religion, conspiracy theories and death.

Yesterday I visited The New Art Gallery in Walsall, where I saw a few exhibitions:

• Damien Hirst - Artist Rooms
• Jacob Epstein and Damien Hirst - Birth, Death and Religion
• Ged Quinn
• The Farman Ryan Collection and The Epstein Archive

I decided to visit this gallery as the exhibitions on show linked with my topic of choice, plus its the last chance to see the work Damien Hirst, as his exhibitions and his joint exhibition with Jacob Epstein ends on the 27th of October 2013.

'Away from the Flock' (1994). This is one of Damien Hirst's most famous works. When I saw this piece I was blown away, I just thought it was amazing that these real life animals were preserved in such away. Hirst managed to preserve the sheep in formaldehyde-filled containers, he's created a series of dead animals (sheep, cows, sharks, foxes, horses etc) like this and also included some taxidermy work. Sadly however the sheep was the only piece available in the collection. Upon seeing the sheep I would think that taxidermy is another branch that I could use in relation to my topic. I would definitely recommend seeing this exhibition or another exhibition where they display Hirst's work, especially in the dead animal series, this is a piece you NEED to see for yourself to really appreciate and get a real feel for this installation.

Jacob Epstein

Ged Quinn

Ged Quinn

Looking at the work of Ged Quinn, certain elements of his work really fit, seeing elements of conspiracy theories (all seeing eye and the devil) and religious elements. This show I found really interesting because its rare that you come across works which join the elements of a 'classic' painting, with other aspects, which aren't necessarily modern, but combine two very different styles. Quinn's work is so striking, I found that when you look at one of his painting you keep finding new things with the picture. I found this show really thought provoking, in my mind as the paintings are done in a Victorian style, it show a part of that time you forget. Victorians were very superstitious and in paintings you don't see that side and its as if he's pointing out that it was all still there.

I really enjoyed visiting The New Art Gallery, I would definitely recommend people to go and see the exhibitions they have to offer, its only a short walk from the station, plus its free admission. All of the shows on were good and i'd definitely consider to go back to The New Art Gallery Walsall, and I would definitely see something of each artist again, especially Damien Hirst, the only draw back I have is that I wish they would have had more of Hirst's work in relation to the dead animal series as I found them so interesting.

Have you been to any good shows or exhibitions recently? i'd love to hear about it, don't be shy :)