UPDATE: Site Gallery is currently closed and plans to reopen after lockdown in December.
For most, the creative potential of a knee ligament rupture sustained whilst playing sport is a “I’m feeling sorry for myself” monologue on Instagram stories. But for Welsh artist Phoebe Davies, it was the inspiration for her first solo exhibition currently on display at Site Gallery. Points of Rupture dives into the world of competitive sport, laying bare the physical and mental strength necessary to thrive and – fundamentally – to win.
Site Gallery, which always seems to arise anew every time an exhibition turns over, has been transformed into a sports hall. A childhood of PE memories come flooding back as shoes squeak on the bouncy floor, bright white lights flicker above, and a giant gym mat invites us to throw ourselves down and start stretching.
This is no bog-standard gymnasium though, Davies' thick court lines dance off into circles, arrows and rows of stripes. Bold yellows, blues and greens divide and collide, creating a patchwork of shapes that inspire movement. The markings make it seem as if a sports team has just finished pounding the floor and every move made has been captured in this installation. Occasionally, spotlights focus on certain areas as if to define an arena for competition.
