WOLVERHAMPTON.- Stories is a captivating mix media show which is hosted by Wolverhampton Art Gallery this summer. Featuring the work of 9 artists from varied creative backgrounds, works inspired by fairytales, mythology and childhood memories are displayed for an engaging summer experience. Including paintings, sculpture, installations and textiles the show has a range of diverse artworks for visitors of all ages to explore. From the large scale light installations of Aether and Hamera to the drawing based textiles of Maria Holohan, the gallery space is set to be transformed.

Curator of Stories, Helen Oliver said: ‘Created in response to fairytales, childhood memories and mythological stories, these mixed media artworks have been displayed to entice visitors to spend some time wondering around the gallery in an enchanted and magical atmosphere as well as taking time out to read and experience a fairytale of their very own.’

The selection of work featured represents the same mysterious yet playful theme of fiction and successfully challenges the everyday with magical scenes of everything from ice cream landscapes to experimental sculptures. The amalgamation of work in this exhibition makes exciting viewing for both children and adults alike.

Aether & Hemera create large scale light installations which express ideas and emotions and the gallery is set to be re-invented by the power and atmosphere of their work. Inspired by ancient Greek mythology, pieces such as Rose’s Halo will feature in Stories (which was originally created for Saltwell Park in Gateshead for the Culture 10 Winter Festival).

Nicola Dale’s work is a selection of sculptures made from story books themselves. Dale painstakingly creates all her works by hand and intentionally keeps the mistakes visible as a crucial aspect to the finished piece. When creating work she is concerned with not just what is written on the book but the actual physicality of it, such as the smell, the shape and the texture.

Jennifer Stevenson creates beautiful sculptures inspired by nature, science and fascination and desire. Stevenson creates powerful representations of animals that don’t exist in reality but are inspired by funeral decorations. This surreal art form shows the fantasy element of her work, the animals become decorative objects rather than species and the intrigue and fascination with this is not dissimilar to that of preserved bodies and magical, fictional transformations in stories.