- Celebrated designer opens up collection of 200 costumes
- Chance to try on designs from fabulous productions
The creator of astounding and evocative costumes worn by international dancers, performers and circus artists is opening his collection for the public to explore – and try on.
Alex Rigg, whose own group Oceanallover stages spectacular performances all over the country, is welcoming visitors to his workshop in the hills above Moniaive, near Thornhill, as part of this year’s Spring Fling open studios weekend from 24-26 May.
Visitors can browse his collection of over 200 costumes, try them on, and will be helped to capture the moment on camera. There is also an abundance of accessories from shamanistic staffs to trombones and a vivid pink loudhailer.
Over the past three decades Alex has been commissioned to create costumes used in street carnivals, French circus acts, New York dance production, site-specific theatrical performances and much more.
Many are inspired by the natural world and by environmental issues while others have a sci fi or fantasy feel. Recent works have been based on reptiles shedding their skins.
Alex said: “Everything we create is individually designed, whether it’s for our own productions or for other performers so that it will help bring their concepts to life. All are hand-made and unique.
“People often ask if there’s a chance to try them on – and it’s a real pleasure to make that possible at last.
“This is the first time I’ve opened up the collection in this way and I hope visitors will have fun browsing through the costumes, transforming themselves by trying them on, and getting pictures they can keep and show friends.
“I’m also looking forward to talking people about the costumes and my work.”
Visitors will also be able to see the drawings and notes showing the influences, origins and development of Alex’s costumes. These range from historical and cultural icons to architectural and natural forms.
Natasha Kinsella, Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC which runs Spring Fling, said:“Alex’s is a celebrated designer, his work is incredibly skilled and beautiful – evocative of other worlds and wondrous possibilities. It’s going to be a real treat to see his collection and enter the alternative realities he creates by trying them on.
“More than 80 studios, offering everything from textiles and ceramics through to Jewellery, painting, glassware and photography, will be opening their doors for this year’s Spring Fling.
“It’s a great chance to enjoy the incredible creativity of Dumfries and Galloway and spend time enjoying one of the country’s most beautiful rural regions.”
Spring Fling is divided into six colour-coded routes that visitors can use to guide them round the studios.
Alex is on the Green Route along with tapestry weaver Gyllian Thomson, metalworker Nate Robinson, ceramicists Samuel Sparrow and Ruth Elizabeth Jones, jewellery designers Kaz Robertson and Alison Macleod, painter Anne Butler and the Cample Line gallery.
- See the Upland website at www.weareupland.com.
- See https://oceanallover.co.uk for more about Oceanallover.
Ends
Notes for editors
The full Spring Fling list
Ceramics: Andrew Priestman, Clare Dawdry, Fitch & McAndrew, Heather Armstrong, Joshua Williams, Mary Gladstone, Rebecca Woods, Ruth Elizabeth Jones, Samuel Sparrow, Frances Ross, Julian Francis, Lorna Phillips
Costume design: Alexander Rigg
Glass: Amanda J Simmons, Katy Quinn
Hand-forged knives: Chris Renshaw, Timothy Westley
Hats: Kay Ribbens
Illustration: Ailsa Black, Louisa Birdsall, Sarah Stewart, Suzi Plunkett
Jewellery: Alison Macleod, Jesse Ball, Kaz Robertson, Natalie Vardey, Sheena McMaster, Sonny Cooper
Metalwork: Adam Booth, Nathan Robinson
Mixed Media: Alison Corfield, Linda Mallett, Martha Schofield, Murray Young, Rhiannon D Dewar, Stephanie Lightbown
Painting and Drawing: Angela Lawrence, Anne Butler, Elizabeth Dagg, Elizabeth Gilbey, Gloria Newlan, Hazel Campbell, Heather Davies, Heather M Nisbet, Kate Bentley SWA, Kevan McGinty, Martin Clarkson, Michael Johnson, Scott McFarlane, Amanda Hayler, Catherine Corfield, Maggie Ayres, Mark Welland, Catherine Coulson, Julie Hollis, Sally Jennings, Suzanne Stuart Davies
Photography: Alistair Hamilton, David Quinn, Claire Cameron-Smith, Joshua Miles, Laura Boswell, Sarah Ross-Thompson, Alan Cameron, Pamela Grace
Sculpture: Kerry Samantha Boyes
Textiles: Jo Gallant, Morag Macpherson, Rebecca McLellan, Gail Kelly, Laura Derby, Yvette Phillips, Linda Ann Irving, Gyllian Thomson, Louisa Ruthven
Wood: Jane Alison Fraser, Jay Rubinstein, Daniel Lacey, Ian Cameron-Smith, Rachel Ashcroft, Mike Dixon.
About Upland
Upland CIC (Community Interest Company) supports artists and makers based in, and with connections to, the region. It delivers, events, training, networking, support and opportunities as part of a year-round programme to benefit the region, its artists, communities and economy. Upland CIC runs the annual Spring Fling contemporary visual art and craft open studios weekend in Dumfries and Galloway. It works closely with other arts bodies in the region to further-strengthen the sector. Upland is based at Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries and exists to:
- provide leadership in the visual art and craft sector regionally, collaborating with the cultural sector across Dumfries and Galloway and beyond.
- raise the profile of the visual art and craft sector of our rural area in a national and international context and build meaningful partnerships to support this.
- listen to local visual artists and makers and respond by providing relevant support and act as a collective voice to advocate on their behalf.
- support the engagement of a wide diversity of audiences in visual art and craft and initiate opportunities that promote inclusive, meaningful participation.
- produce and facilitate ambitious creative projects that are innovative and experimental in approach.
Its funders are Creative Scotland, D&G Council, The Holywood Trust, ASWT, Barfill.
For media information contact Matthew Shelley on 07786 704299 or at [email protected] or call Upland on 01387 213 218.