High Wycombe’s Brunel Engine Shed to re-open with former Venice Biennale exhibition on Disability Arts Movement

High Wycombe’s Brunel Engine Shed has officially re-opened following Buckinghamshire New University’s restoration of the Victorian structure, showcasing an art exhibition which formerly featured at the Venice Biennale 2024.  

Disability-led arts organisation Shape Arts brought its landmark Crip Arte Spazio: The Disability Arts Movement in Venice exhibition to High Wycombe as a celebration of the disability arts movement. The title ‘Crip Arte Spazio’, translated as ‘Crip Art Space’, plays on Italian words while reclaiming slurs disabled people have historically and continue to face. 

In collaboration with The National Disability Movement Archive & Collection, Shape Arts is displaying a variety of artworks which previously featured at the international Italian arts event.

Curated by David Hevey, the exhibition tells stories of how disabled people have fought for rights and visibility, as well as displaying protest art parodying mainstream or ‘normative’ culture. 

Curator and Creative Director of the exhibition, David added: “What we have tried to do is re-ignite the sheer exuberance of fighting for something through art - so the art is the star of the fight for justice by disabled people and their allies.”
 

One featured artist Caroline Cardus’ collection The Way Ahead, subverts classic road signs to highlight the mainstream marginalisation of disabled people through a series of striking and provocative traffic signs displayed throughout the Engine Shed. Also on display are huge protest banners and activists' t-shirts featuring defiant slogans.

The exhibition is the first to feature in the historic Engine Shed following BNU's investment in the Grade II listed building and its refurbishment by Bucks Council. 

The former railway shed has been transformed into a gallery space which pays homage to the town's rich history as well as being a hireable events and exhibition space, and area for learning and teaching with a focus on design, arts and heritage. 

Following its refurbishment, the Brunel Engine Shed now features underfloor heating systems, power, data and audio-visual systems, solar panels, and furnishings, while maintaining the original character and preserving the heritage of the site. 

Addressing the inaugural exhibition in the newly refurbished Engine Shed, BNU’s Director of Estates Paul Robinson‍ says: “We are delighted to be opening the Brunel Engine Shed. The listed building has been sensitively refurbished and we will be reviewing its use over the coming months to ensure it meets the needs of the University for civic impact, commerciality and student experience, working closely with the Student Union and other stakeholders.

“Over the next few months we will have a low-key opening of the building, in order for us to test the facilities and their use and engage with our staff, students and community on the building and its future use. We then plan to open fully in September, with café, offices, teaching and event spaces.

“One use of the Engine Shed will be to promote and host exhibitions. Our first exhibition is in partnership with Shape Arts, and includes artworks from the National Disability Movement Archive and Collection, held at the University. The text and graphic-based artworks explore Disability Rights and Empowerment with some items fresh from their presentation at the Venice Biennale 2024. We then plan to host the University’s Art Summer Show, from mid-June. “

The exhibition ‘Crip Arte Spazio: The Disability Arts Movement in Venice’ at the Brunel Engine Shed opens Thursday 8 May 10am-3pm.

It will then run Wednesdays - Fridays from 10am – 3pm, with guided tours from the Shape Arts team running on Wednesdays. 

Entry is free and open to all.