The beauty of the slug

Slugs are unique, fascinating animals and the only class of mollusk that also lives on land. They are also enigmatic; biologists have not studied slugs in anywhere near as much detail as other animals. For her first solo exhibition, artist and author Abi Palmer has created an alternative world in which slugs are worshipped instead of viewed with disgust.

»I identify with the slug: I too have been regarded with repulsion, no more than a pest stealing spoils from the hardworking farmer. Once I allow myself space to move beyond visceral disgust and phobia, I find space for beauty, fascination and even a glistening reverence for a creature who became more disgusting as a means of survival«, says Palmer about the background to her artworks. The exhibition Abi Palmer: Slime Mother can be seen from July 20 to October 6 at the Chapter Arts Center in Cardiff.

On the day of the opening, the artist herself will give a virtual tour of the exhibition from 12 pm and then read from her book Slugs: a Manifesto, which is being published to coincide with the exhibition. The exhibition will then open to the public at 1.30 pm. Palmer was one of four artists to receive the Outset Studiomakers Prize in 2023 for her sculptures of mating slugs. Instead of prize money, the winners are given a studio in London rent-free for nine months. As an author, Palmer attracted attention in 2020 with the book Sanatorium, which was one of four books shortlisted for the Barbellion Prize.