Testing Ground is our residency programme at Exchange Place Studios, intended to provide an intensive period of creative experimentation for an artist based in Sheffield. Our artist-in-residence for Feb/Mar 2026 is Ash Martin, a multidisciplinary artist working primarily across drawing, poetry, and drag performance.

Their dreamlike Biro drawings (rich with personal symbols, medieval marginalia, Skyrim fanart, and bubble-written poetry) chart a journey of liberation, self-mythology, and queer spiritual reimagining. These images are held within cartoonish papier-mache frames inspired by the architecture of churches and the Baroque frames of classical paintings.

For Testing Ground, Ash will push this work further by increasing the scale and creating freestanding multi-panelled works, evocative of medieval rood screens and the dioramas of table-top roleplaying games. The space will also enable Ash to test out iterations for a future installation featuring the new works.

Through a series of public open days, you are welcome to visit Ash in the studio for a glimpse of their developing work and the chance to ask them questions.

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STUDIO OPEN DAYS

Drop in during an open day for an opportunity to meet Ash and engage with their developing works-in-progress.

Friday 13 February, 12-4pm
Friday 27 February, 12-4pm
Saturday 28 February, 12-4pm
Friday 13 March, 12-4pm

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CRIT

Come along for our monthly crit group for the chance to critically engage as a group with Ash's work. Free, but booking essential: contact tyler@artspace.org.uk to reserve a space.

Wednesday 25 February, 4.00pm - 5.30pm

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CLOSING EVENT

Join us for a celebratory closing event to meet Ash and see an informal presentation of work developed during their residency. No need to book, just drop by.

Friday 27 March, 5-7pm