Before the opening of Magda Archer's self-curated exhibition '#notquitedisney', we wanted to take a moment to ask her a few questions about the inspiration behind her exhibition title, the artists she has chosen to include and the process of making her own works.

Jealous:

You have chosen a huge range of artists, working in all different mediums and styles. What were you looking for when choosing artists to include in the exhibition?

Magda:

I was looking to produce a show with a funfair vibe…that is, something for everyone who visits. All of these Artists interest me, their ideas and interpretation of a subject or theme. I think it is a fascinating group of people and I’ve been really excited and encouraged to see the things they’re making for this show.

Jealous:

The exhibition is titled ‘#notquitedisney’, can you explain what the title means?

Magda:

The title #notquitedisney stems from a few ‘Disney' things I’ve collected over the years...things that are ‘a bit wrong’ interest me more than, say, a perfect replication of a Disney character…they seem to have more soul. People can still see ‘what it’s meant to be’ but there is more of a challenge to the eye and the mind.

Jealous:

What do you think it is about Disney that has such widespread appeal?

Magda:

I guess Walt D. just hit on some themes and characters, music etc.that the public really took to heart and that’s had years to ingrain itself in our psyche’s.

Jealous:

When making your own work for inclusion in the exhibition, did you have any particular challenges?

Magda:

The challenge has been to make some work that ‘holds it’s own' within the group. Early on, some of my energy went into encouraging some of the other artists and then I thought I needed to take a step back from that and concentrate on what I would make…to challenge myself...what would I want to see?

#notquitedisney will run at Jealous (53 Curtain Road) from 27th June to 13th July