During Light Up Wakefield, Emma Bolland unveils The Public Dream, a poetic installation of drawing, light, and text. Developed during a two-week experimental residency in the Gallery, the work invites audiences into an evolving space where dreams, archives, and speculative futures converge.
Bolland is an artist and writer whose methods have included literature, translation, screenwriting, performance, drawing, expanded painting, sculpture, installation and moving image. From 10 November, Bolland transforms The Art House Gallery into a live working studio, continuing research begun during their Testing Ground Residency at Yorkshire Artspace earlier this year.
Drawing inspiration from The Art House’s historic building history as a library – a place of both illumination and imagination – Bolland is developing a wall-drawing, sculptural, and light installation exploring dreams, sci-fi, and speculative futures. During the two-week residency, audiences are welcome to step into the space, encounter the evolving work, and at selected times, speak directly with the artist about their process.
As part of Light Up Wakefield (21–23 November), The Public Dream will open fully to the public. Visitors can immerse themselves in the developing installation, where shifting light, colour, and text combine to create a poetic, speculative environment that blurs the line between archive, dream, and imagination.
Photo Courtesy of Emma Bolland. Credit: James Clarkson