Points of Rupture: Welsh artist Phoebe Davies explores the training and recovery of teenage female wrestlers in Oslo

For her latest series, Points of Rupture, Welsh artist Phoebe Davies takes inspiration from her recent sports injury to explore the tactility, training and rehabilitation of teenage female wrestlers in Oslo, Norway.

Spiral Holds #02, © Phoebe Davies

Spiral Holds #02, © Phoebe Davies

Davies is currently recovering from a ligament rupture whilst playing basketball last year – something she draws parallels with through her new moving image work that documents day-to-day routines at the wrestling club, alongside combative and compassionate exchanges.

On show at Site Gallery in Sheffield from 21 February, there'll be a multichannel soundscape and installation to accompany the film, taking a closer look at sports aesthetics, agility drills, plays and structures. This expansive sound work considers the limits of stamina, rest and physical and mental exhaustion – check out the trailer to get a flavour of what to expect.

Davies often finds herself referencing and exploring collaborative models of working across different social and cultural sectors, be that strategies from methods of organic farming, feminist organising or speculative fiction. For the last year, a key focus of her practice has been working within community sports settings, researching athletic methodologies, coaching and rehabilitation.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an expansive public programme of talks, workshops and screenings to introduce people to working with sound, advocate for and introduce women to the benefits of contact-based sports, host discussions around barriers to sports access and connect with live performance in the gallery.

Points of Rupture opens at Site Gallery in Sheffield on 21 February and runs until 17 May 2020. See the full programme at www.sitegallery.org.

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