OPEN CALL TO ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS

 Joanna Kessel, an Edinburgh based artist is looking for materials for her upcoming exhibition Field of Vision | altered state at Mary Arnold-Forster’s Alder Gallery in Dunkeld this May. This project started in 2025 and coincided with the artist visiting the If Bricks Could Talk exhibition by EAA at Mote Gallery in Leith, as part of ArchiFringe 2025. 

Joanna is creating a new series of small scale, experimental sculptural artworks and is looking for small items of discarded materials reclaimed from architectural projects such as stone, concrete, wood etc.

 As an artist, Joanna is interested in what we notice, and how that can enhance our life experience at that particular moment and expand our thinking over time.  In the two series of work (In)visible Cities and Field of Vision she responds to hidden glimpses of the urban and natural environments we inhabit and considers the beauty in the ordinary.  She collects small, discarded objects that catch her eye as she walks through town; something about each piece intrigues her enough to stoop and pick it up. In the studio she considers these objects then applies a small area of paint to the surface that is subsequently drilled out.  This recess is then filled with hand pulled glass filati (threads / stringers).  Through these creative interventions her aim is to highlight the beauty in the ordinary and often overlooked.

Joanna seeks one to two small items (palm to shoebox size). In addition, if you have some information about their history, where they have come from, their previous use etc. she will collate this information to show alongside the artworks.   Joanna will select a few items to respond to for this exhibition. The deadline for this is 17 April 2026.

Items are needed by mid-April for this show so this initial call out has a very quick turnaround.  The project will be ongoing and there will be subsequent opportunities to participate.

Please let us know the details by emailing mail@eaa.org.uk and joannakessel@gmail.com  prior to arranging delivery of the items.

Items can be delivered to:

Joanna Kessel (studio 301)

Patriothall Studios

Hamilton Place

Edinburgh

EH3 5AY