For people who have never been to an exhibition and wonder why it would be relevant for them, I would ask them… do you like horror films? Seems a bit random I agree. Needle felting artist, Jenny Egerton selected Catherine Lester’s research in children’s horror films to inspire a piece of art. Perhaps you have watched Coraline (2009) or Frankenweenie (2012) with your kids?

Or are a diehard Beetlejuice (1988) fan? ‘Beetlejuice,’Beetlejuice…’ I won’t tempt fate.

Catherine is in the Department of Film and Television studies at Warwick University. She said,

‘My research investigates the children’s horror film in US cinema from early child-friendly films with frightening elements, such as Snow White (1937), to more recent films like Frankenweenie (2012). Children are traditionally thought of as being innocent, vulnerable and impressionable beings. However, children have been enjoying horror films for decades. I explore how these films use imagery and conventions of the horror genre to represent specific fears and experiences of childhood, such as growing up, relationships with one’s parents, and exploring one’s identity. The conclusions from my research show that, far from being ‘unsuitable for children’, horror provides a fun and safe space for children to confront and learn to overcome fear.’


Interested to see what the outcome will be? To overcome your own fears of exhibition spaces come along and see the artists and academics exhibition on the 26th of November at Fargo Village, Black box studio, Far Gosford St, Coventry, CV1 5ED.

 
Albert Einschwein, pig scientist, by Jenny Egerton

Artist Jenny Egerton started making models when she was a little girl, bored, on long car journeys with Opal Fruits (Starbursts).

‘My Dad bought us sweets for the journey and if he got Opal Fruits , I would create models out of the sweets. It was a limited palette and left me with sticky fingers, but I think it was the start of something! I went on to study illustration. Then I began to gravitate away from drawn illustrations, and back towards my childhood roots of model making; making three dimensional multi-media models to photograph and use as 2D illustrations. Since leaving University I established my own business making and selling my models, polymer clay and needle felt based mixed media works. My work communicates my passion for storytelling, concept and character, often with some word play or a silly pun thrown in for good measure!’


This event is being supported by Fargo Village and funded by The Culture, Media and Creativity fund, Sociology Department, University of Warwick, and the generous donations from Warwick Alumni.

Emma Parfitt

Proofreader for business and academic documents, translations, and English writing.

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