Honiton: New film installations to launch at the Thelma Hulbert Gallery

This January, Thelma Hulbert Gallery (THG) will show two new films directed by the international artist Mikhail Karikis.

Mikhail Karikis is a Greek/British artist who is based in London and Lisbon. His films, sound performances and other media are exhibited in London, including the TATE, and internationally.

SeaWomen (2012) and Children of the Unquiet (2014) are two films where the communities live in an environment which is rich in natural resources, and they have a dependency on it.

However, as processes of extraction evolve and employment structures change, both of these communities are having their way of life threatened.

Seawomen explores the lives of fisherwomen from the 'haenyeo' community on the island of Jesu, Korea. The haenyeo are an ancient and fast vanishing community who dive to depths of up to twenty metres with no oxygen supply to catch seafood, collect seaweed and find pearls. The film explores their daily lives and considers the challenges the group face.

Children of the Unquiet shares the story of children brought up by the geothermal plant in Devil's Valley, Tuscany. It was here that the world's first geothermal power plant was built but, since the process of generating energy has become more automated, the area has become depopulated.

To coordinate with the films, Thelma Hulbert Gallery will feature a 'Climate Conversations' event on 11 February, where Mikhail Karikis will be a special guest. Climate Conversations unite academics, artists and activists and project groups in their area of expertise.

Ruth Gooding, Thelma Hulbert Gallery's Curator and Arts Development manager said: "We are delighted to open our 2022 programme Creative Communities and the Land.

"We invite audiences to consider sustainable futures across the generations. The project will be accompanied by a public programme, which continues our series of 'Climate Conversations' with our communities."

Alongside Karikis' films, there will be an exhibition of Tom Bailey's work, who explores our human relationship to a changing planet.

Mikhail Karikis's films will be shown between 15 January and 5 March in Thelma Hulbert Gallery and at Ocean in Exmouth. Click here for further details

Climate Conversations with Mikhail Karikis and Be The Change will be on 11 February, 4pm-6pm at Thelma Hulbert Gallery. Tom Bailey's exhibition will be on display between 15 January and 5 March at Thelma Hulbert Gallery