The As You Like It Dancers: An Exhibition Inspired by Shakespeare

Jacob Chandler with his ‘As YOu Like It’ Dancers artwork which features in the 2024 Shrewsbury Arts Trail

Artist Jacob Chandler to Show Works Inspired by Shakespeare’s Beloved Play at Soulton Hall

Jacob Chandler will present his latest collection, inspired by Shakespeare’s As You Like It at Soulton Hall this November.

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Summary of events

There are two days of private viewings:

• Thursday 14 November PRIVATE VIEW (invitation only, please see this blog concering the Salopian/SSPA event)
• Friday 15 November – PRIVATE VIEW (invitation only, please email cal@jacobchandler.co.uk)

At the weekend there are two days of public open events:

• Saturday 16 November – INVITATION TO VIEW (open public event)
• Sunday 17 November – INVITATION TO VIEW (open public event)

Further details about the public open events are provided lower down this page. 

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The chaos and dystopia of the usurped court from which the good characters flee is shown in the exhibition, which incorporates a sculpture retrospective.

The exhibition will show his monumental prints as well and new relief sculptures, and is the culmination of a long-standing collaboration with the Ashton family of Soulton and the esteemed BYRGA GENIHT country house consultancy.

The exhibition will also include a retrospective selection of Chandler’s earlier works including items generously loaned by private collectors, offering a wonderful review of his artistic journey.

The exhibition will allow viewers and patrons to appreciate Jacob’s extraordinary talent and dedication.

Jacob Chandler’s AS YOU LIKE IT dancers in the Moot Hall, Soultno Hall

It will also provide an opportunity to experience exceptional and important artworks that are intimately connected with recent discoveries of national significance:

• about the setting and meaning of ‘As You Like It’,
• that play’s place in Tudor England’s intellectual life,
• its connection to Old Sir Rowland Hill,
• and tantalizing glimpses into how the famous dance of harmony that closes Shakespeare’s supreme meditation on love is actually done as work continues on the famous Soulton dancing pavement that encodes its dance notation.

Critical acclaim

Assesing the work Dr Will Tosh, Head of Research at the Globe Theatre has said:

Jacob Chandler’s collection captures the vitality of Shakespeare’s characters in all their edgy, front-footed, dynamic beauty.

This is the world of As You Like It brought thrillingly to life.

Oliver, Audrey, Orlando and Phoebe. As imagined by Jacob Chandler.

Certain of these works premiered within the Shrewsbury Museum summer exhibition, and Jacob has been acquired for several institutional bodies including the City of Birmingham, the NHS, and other public institutions.

He has also provided sculptural work for the Commonwealth Games public festival.

Silvius, Rosalind, Touchstone and Celia: 4 of the 8 dancers, as rendered by Jacob Chandler

Further details about public invitations to view

On the weekend (16 and 17 November), there will be the following events:

The public invitation to view the work

The work will be shown in the Soulton Court, from 11am until 4pm on both days, this is free and unticketed. Children must be supervised.

Brief tours will take place to allow exceptional public access to the Epidaurus Court (the venue for Old Sir Rowland’s theatrical performances the generation before Shakespeare was born). These tours will also look onto the dancing pavement and across to the woodland setting of the play.

The tours will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 30 people.

 

Workshops led by Jacob

(suitable for anyone over the age of 5)

Early years and community access to visual arts are important principles around arts commissioning at Soulton Hall. We at Soulton Hall have therefore requested Jacob to develop accessible community events with a focus on families, which he has kindly agreed to support as part of his practice.

There will be several workshops throughout the weekend, in Soulton Court. Jacob will lead activities suitable for families, where they can produce greeting cards to take home. These greeting cards will also be inspired by Shakespeare’s play about a quest for harmony in an enchanted forest with a good duke working to take back his court from a bad duke.

The workshops will last approximately 20-30 minutes and take place at 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM each day.

Soulton Wood, inspiration for Thomas Lodge’s Rosalynde and for Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT

This will work on a pay what you can basis (recommended £5 contribution to cover materials). Please email cal@jacobchandler.co.uk to reserve a space.

William Shakespeare’s First Folio