Kavenna visited Reynolds’ studio in Jun 2025 and wrote Turning in the Widening Gyre, describing the experience. Her essay is not only funny and consummately well written it’s also revelatory of the artist’s wider practice and approach.

Kavenna’s extraordinary new absurdist novel, SEVEN has just been published by Faber. In exchange for the essay in Walking A Cappella, Reynolds made a game board for the fictional game of SEVEN around which Kavenna’s latest novel revolves. The board follows the preoccupations of the book, and its pieces draw on natural forms, mathematical tilings, number games and infinity, ritual landscapes, time, and puzzlement.

At The Exchange they will discuss their recent collaborations, the weaving of improbable narratives, the nature of complexity, and holes.

Walking A Cappella is co-published by Anomie and Newlyn Art Gallery & The Exchange and is available to buy from the gallery and on the artist’s website. Designed by Michael Kelly, a flow of images of Reynold’s work is contextualised with commissioned texts from the novelist Joanna Kavenna and curator Hammad Nasar, as well as a dialogue with Sophie J. Williamson.

FREE WITH ADMISSION, BUT BOOKING ESSENTIAL TO RESERVE YOUR PLACEThis event is included with standard admission, but please book your place in advance to reserve a seat. Free entry for Supporters, Patrons, Art Lovers, and current Annual Pass holders (please bring it with you on the day). If you do not have a current Annual Pass, please purchase an admission ticket on arrival, which gives you 12 months entry to exhibitions at both venues plus access to the talk.

50% off standard admission with a National Art Pass.