• Details
  • Parking & Access

Details

Join us to say farewell to FRACTURE!

The Oxford-based artists of PORTABLE Collective have responded to the single word “Fracture”, incorporating their eclectic practices within the gallery space of The Old Fire Station to explore and question its meaning and influence within their work and the wider world. 

John Blythe’s experimental photography takes as its starting point an interest in the materiality of the medium, fracturing away from historical assumptions of photography as a recorder of external imagery, to shift the focus towards the process itself.

Mark Clay employs drawing amongst other mediums in his practice. “Perhaps we live in a ‘broken’ society and a ‘fractured’ world…there has always been injustice, uncertainty and points of tension that can ultimately accumulate to the point where the faultlines break open and damage is done. But when things fall apart it offers us an opportunity to see things anew and understand.” 

Anne Griffiths’s practice revolves around the museological tasks of collection, categorisation and display. For FRACTURE!, the artist has created works with a focus on restoration or repair. Linking to the Japanese notion of wabi-sabi, the viewer is invited to consider the life of an object and to value the broken and imperfect for exactly what it is. 

The printed and projected works of Zelga Miller represent something of the unease inherent in the human condition. “Fracture represents a place and a time, an emotion that I want to move away from; my visceral reaction that suggests movement and transition from what was ‘broken’ towards something more solid.” 

Childhood toys and ephemera are re-purposed by Miranda Miller in her mixed media pieces to explore the psychological fracture within oneself. “The work is an exploration of the fractured self which is sometimes painful and difficult to look at, but, I believe necessary to be able to repair and heal.”

Painter Jeremy Morgan sees the contemporary world as an “Interim between consensus and an individualised ‘on-demand’ culture”, his abstract works are ambivalent responses to this fluid situation, and incorporate instability and compositional fractures between elements as they negotiate with each other. 

Responding to the transient dynamics of shadow around the Old Fire Station, Sarah Wills-Brown has created a series of art-objects which both reflect and fracture the architectural space of the gallery. “Reflections are cast and shadows appear, allowing these divided elements to rebuild these fractured forms, offering the possibility to explore or dream of new spaces.”

Workshops

Break It To Make It
Saturday 29 January, 10am – 12.30pm
A workshop that uses different methods and approaches to drawing to explore the idea of “Fracture”. These include graphical and other explorations of disassembly, reassembly, rebuilding and repair.
Book now.

Cut’n’Paste!
Saturday 19 February, 10am – 12.30pm
Join members of PORTABLE Collective for a fun and fast-moving workshop which explores the creative potential of change using collage and mixed media! £20.
Book now.

Parking & Access

Parking

There are a number of Blue Badge parking spaces nearby on Beaumont Street, and more on New Inn Hall Street and St Giles.

The closest car park is Gloucester Green Car Park, accessed via Gloucester Street.

If you have any questions or concerns, the City Council’s Access Officer can be reached at 01865 249811.

Getting here

We are committed to reducing our carbon footprint, but we need your help. Use ecoway, our sustainable travel planner, to see the most eco-friendly options for your journey to Old Fire Station, and plan a bespoke and flexible route. ecoway is easy to use and you’ll be kept up to date with any disruption or changes to your journey plan.

Car parks in Oxford Blue Badge information Public transport in Oxford

Access

Disabled patrons are eligible for one free companion ticket with their booking. To book this, contact the ticket office: tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or 01865 263990.

There are two entrances to the Old Fire Station: 40 George Street via the foyer, and on Gloucester Green via the shop. Both are step-free. If you are coming to a show, we ask that you use the George Street entrance, as the Gloucester Green entrance is not always open.

Events in the Theatre

There is level entry to the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the main Theatre (where most shows take place).

If you are a wheelchair user attending a sit-down show, space will be reserved for you. If you are attending a standing gig, please contact us (call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk) and we will talk with you about your needs.

Events in the Studio

There is level entry into the foyer of the Old Fire Station, and step-free access to the Studio.

Events in the Loft

There are six steps leading up to the Loft space, with no lift. If you would like to discuss this to find out more, please get in touch.

The Gallery

There is step-free access to the Gallery – level entry through the George Street entrance, and via lift from the Gloucester Green entrance.

Facilities

Accessible toilet
There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor, accessible via platform lift. Other toilets are in the basement (accessible via lift).

Hearing assistance system
The Theatre is equipped with a hearing assistance system. If you have any questions about using it, please e-mail us at tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk or phone 01865 263980.

Assistance dogs
All types of assistance and guide dogs are welcome at the Old Fire Station. It would be great if you could let us know in advance if you will be bringing a working dog to any performances – just e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Strobe lighting
We will warn visitors on the website and in the foyer of the venue if a performance is going to contain strobe lighting. If lighting affects you, and you have any concerns, please call the ticket office on 01865 263990 or e-mail tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk.

Chairs in the theatre
Our chairs are a standard dining-chair size, measuring 40cm deep by 37cm wide, with a metal frame. Some have arms, and some do not. They are all joined together at the sides, to form rows. If this is likely to pose a problem for you, please email tickets@oldfirestation.org.uk and we can discuss how to make your visit more comfortable.