DEGREES UNEDITED

Finding its beginnings in the latter part of 2008, the consortium Q-Art London has grown fast and is now to flourish itself with a cross institutional exhibition this July. By“inviting students to present and discuss work in a critical, peer-reviewed environment” Q-Art has now reached a membership of over 2000 people receiving their mail listing and are thirsty for more: they are looking for a Degrees unedited contributor to review the exhibition.

Acting as the drive behind multiple conveners involving art students from across London the group now present their collective concerns and communal force in a post-degree show representation of contributing artists.  41 participants take the context of the critical meetings as inspiration for presenting work at the APT Gallery in South East London.

The show is to be curated by London-based visual art practitioners: Poppy Bowers and Katie-Alice Fitz Gerald.  Through a commonality in using acts and rituals, they go by the name Hammer and Nail to manifest artworks in a variety of guises; producing this time a collective show focusing on the act of conversation and debate as its curatorial drive.

Q-Art provides the collective apparatus for inaugurating debate through a critical format that takes the form of an autonomous art school.  Indorsed by many of the London colleges the group pulls in students from a diverse hotpot of creative activity and thought: manoeuvring its activity in dissolving institutional barriers between art schools, setting itself up as a united and growing set of individuals presenting themselves as a collective whole.  As well as being cross-institutional Q-Art also strives to be multi-disciplined in its approach canvassing all levels of studentship from BA to MA and beyond. 

Ultimately, Q-Art provides a forum where graduates of the contributing colleges can continue to present and critically discuss work.  In addition to this the forum is impartial and informative in its approach; it is non-demanding as it is self-generating of its contributors who construct a unification of ideas and support.  Director of Q-Art Sarah Rowles offers her words:

"It is hoped that by creating a London-wide system of peer review and critical exchange, critical excellence will take more of a lead role in determining future successful artists as opposed to market forces."

The 'unedited' sections of the a-n site, in reflection of Q-Art's activities, are simultaneously generative of such critical exchanges and peer communication for the whole of the UK.  Degrees unedited is a forum of debate, review, self promotion and progression and in light of this Q-Art are looking for a contributor to review their show and post it on the Reviews section.

Visit their website to join their mailing list
www.q-artlondon.com »

For more information and to initiate contact with Q-Art visit their Project blog »

or contact the Q-Art director: Sarah Rowles: sarah.rowles@googlemail.com »

First published: a-n.co.uk June 2009