Spacex was a contemporary art organisation, located in Exeter, between 1974 and 2017. It was founded in 1974 by John Butler as an artist co-operative. Its programme spanned installations, performance, photography, sculpture, painting, film and video. Its learning programme focused on helping visitors of all ages to explore and engage with contemporary art. Spacex ceased activity at the end of 2017 with the formal closure of the charity.

Origin and aims

Spacex was located in a converted 19th century warehouse, midway between Exeter Cathedral and Exeter quayside. It was established in 1974 by an artists’ co-operative. The original purpose was to offer affordable studio and exhibition space to local artists. In the early 1990s, Spacex became a registered charity and a publicly funded space showing contemporary art free of charge. Collaboration was at the heart of Spacex. The gallery's role in working with innovative local, national and international artists has been recognised by the Arts Council. Historically Spacex has put on 5-6 exhibitions a year, but in the 2010s it began to adopt a more diverse approach which includes more events and more flexible use of the space by artists.

Learning programme and events

Spacex' programme encouraged engagement with the latest developments in contemporary art through commissions, projects and activities. Work also took place outside of 45 Preston St through artist-led projects, events and research. In addition to organising events such as these, Spacex had a significant learning programme, working with students of all ages from local schools and further/higher education institutions.

Selected artists

* Sean Lynch: The Weight of the World 14 May-2 July 2016. *

Mathew Sawyer Mathew John Sawyer (born 1977, Hammersmith, England) is a British visual artist and musician, who lives and works in London. Sawyer studied at Chelsea College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art in London. His band Mathew Sawyer and ...

: White Male, 36 Years Old, Average Height, No Pets, Out of Shape and Anxious, 17 May–12 July 2014. * Scott King: De-Regeneration, 4 October–22 November 2014. * Anne Eggebert, Matthias Einhoff, David Ferrando Giraut, Polly Gould, Marja Helander, Uta Kogelsberger, Abigail Reynolds, Almut Rink, Emily Speed and Louise K Wilson - Topophobia (2012) * Blast Theory (2011). Bless Practice. * Salvatore Arancio (2011). An Arrangement of the Materials Ejected. * Paul Rooney (artist) �
Bellevue
(2009) * Random Acts of Art (2010). * Theo Jansen (2010). Ventosa Siamesis. * Emily Wardill (2009). Game Keepers Without Game. * Simon Pope (2009). Carved From Memory. * Laura Kikauka (2009). Celebration of Failure. * Andre Stitt (2008). Substance * Christiane Baumgartner (2008). Solaris *

Geoffrey Farmer Geoffrey Farmer (born 1967) is best known for extensive multimedia installations made of cut-out images which form collages. Life Early career Farmer was born on Eagle Island, BC in 1967. His career as an artist was unplanned, but he attended an ...

– The Last 2 Million Years (2008) * Dawn Mellor (2006). Vile Affections. *

Mika Taanila Mika Taanila (born 1965 in Helsinki) is a Finnish film director and visual artist. His films can be categorized somewhere between the traditions of classic documentary film-making, avant-garde and video art. His most notable films are ''Tectonic P ...

(2005). Hotel Futuro *

Phyllida Barlow Dame Phyllida Barlow (born 4 April 1944) is a British artist. She studied at Chelsea College of Art (1960–63) and the Slade School of Art (1963–66). She joined the staff of the Slade in the late 1960s and taught there for more than forty y ...

(2005). Scape.Phyllida Barlow Review

Art daily, May 2005

References

External links

Culture24 entry

Bing attractions entry

List of exhibitions, projects and events at Spacex since 2002
Buildings and structures in Exeter Art museums and galleries in Devon Tourist attractions in Exeter {{coord missing, Devon