With solo exhibitions at Spike Island and Modern Art Oxford, and archival work in a new group show at Nottingham Contemporary focusing on Black British art from the 1980s, Lubaina Himid’s paintings and installations are attracting both critical and popular acclaim. Fisun Güner talks to her about politics, migration, and taking on the art establishment.
With scrutiny of the government’s Brexit plans intensifying as Theresa May’s end of March deadline for triggering Article 50 to leave the EU gets nearer, artists are responding to the uncertain climate in a variety of ways. Pippa Koszerek, who as an artist is herself involved in Brexit-related events, takes a look at some forthcoming projects.
Five a-n News writers – based in London, Birmingham and Glasgow – pick, in no particular order, their top five exhibitions of the year.
The interactive map of artist-led organisations across the UK aims to capture the diversity of the arts ecology, while also aiding development of self-inititiatives. Jack Hutchinson reports.
The Shropshire-born artist grew up on a farm, with his childhood experiences influencing everything from the content to the materials of his paintings. Here he discusses the continuing importance of painting and his latest body of work, currently on show at the Saatchi Gallery’s ‘Painters’ Painters’ exhibition.
Prior to its relocation to a new space, Peckham Platform gallery is celebrating its work since launching in 2010 with a retrospective show featuring its 20 artist commissions to date, all co-created with local people in the south-east London neighbourhood. Lydia Ashman reports.
Looking for art books for Christmas? Here are ten ideas to start with, including a tour of the world’s brutalist gems, a collection of inspiring and insightful artists’ quotes, and the memoir of an art world celebrity.
Sarah Bodman, senior research fellow at UWE Bristol’s Centre for Fine Print Research and writer of a-n’s Artists’ Books series, picks her ten favourite publications of the year.
One of six artists shortlisted for this year’s Artes Mundi prize, John Akomfrah is known for his beautifully-shot film installations that tackle big themes such as race, cultural identity, migration and post-colonialism. Fisun Güner talks to him.
As a-n/AIR’s Paying Artists campaign prepares for the launch of its Exhibition Payment guide on Wednesday 12 October 2016, we take a look at some of the key moments in the campaign’s history, highlighting the rich and varied dialogue with artists and the wider visual arts sector that has informed its recommendations.
The first-ever biennial Estuary festival presents 16 days of art, literature, music and film ‘curated in response to the spectacular Thames Estuary’. Chris Sharratt talks to Kent-based, water-loving artist Adam Chodzko about his latest iteration of Ghost, featuring a specially adapted kayak with room for one reclining passenger.
The latest project in Castlefield Gallery’s New Art Spaces programme sees a former 1960s office block in the centre of Bolton turned into a temporary work/gallery/studio space for artists. Sara Jaspan takes a look.
A new development in south London that will provide between 80 and 100 workspaces for emerging artists and creative entrepreneurs is in the final stages of construction, with a hot desk space, gallery and café already open. Artist and Hotel Elephant co-director Emily Woodhouse speaks to Jack Hutchinson about how the project, established in 2009, found its new home.
The outspoken artist and performer Liv Wynter is undertaking a residency at the artist-run Royal Standard titled HOW MUCH ARE THEY PAYING YOU? to coincide with this year’s Bloomberg New Contemporaries at Liverpool Biennial. Laura Robertson speaks to her about activism, artists getting paid, and remembering Ana Mendieta.
John Stezaker, known for his photographic collages constructed from found images, has turned curator for ‘Turning to See: From Van Dyck to Lucian Freud’ at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. Anneka French talks to the artist about his new departure, how he selected works for the show, and where his own art fits in.
The photographic artist Wolfgang Tillmans has created a series of posters against Brexit and highlighting what he believes are the humanitarian and democratic benefits of the UK remaining within the European Union.
The Office for Art, Design and Technology is a new two-year programme of residencies, events, exhibitions and professional development for new and more established artists with digital practices. Anneka French talks to the artist leading the programme as well as artists and mentors involved in Post-Modern Plant Life 2, the recently completed first stage of the initiative.
For the latest in her series of columns on artists’ books, Sarah Bodman looks at the work of Newcastle-based artist Theresa Easton whose new series of books was created at a Victorian era letterpress printing works in Scotland.
As Troy Town Art Pottery moves from its first home at Open School East down the road to an outbuilding on Hoxton Street, founder and artist Aaron Angell speaks to Pippa Koszerek about his motivations and future plans for the London-based pottery.
The London-based artist Ben Cove, whose work explored art and design history with particular reference to modernism, has died unexpectedly after a short illness. Artist Emily Speed pays tribute to her friend and his work, while also collecting the thoughts of other artists and curators.
AirSpace Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent is celebrating 10 years of artist-led activity amidst the shifting environment of the city’s post-industrial regeneration. a-n Writer Development Programme participant Anneka French talks to its directors and takes a look at the gallery’s ten-strong birthday show.
Radical Craft: Alternative Ways of Making is a new touring exhibition that presents works by renowned outsider artists alongside those of self-taught artists who face barriers to the art world because of health, disability, social circumstance or isolation.
Thanks to capital funding from a special regeneration fund, Glasgow’s Telfer Gallery has relocated to a new space in the city’s East End as part of the soon to open Many Studios complex. Chris Sharratt finds out more.
Juneau Projects’ new song responds to the history of a former timber yard and the redevelopment of the riverside area with a constructed pilgrimage for the audience.
The Islington Mill Art Academy in Salford has been providing a free alternative to mainstream art education since 2007. Sara Jaspan speaks to its co-founder, Maurice Carlin, and gets the views of artists who’ve taken part in the Academy’s ever-evolving investigation of what art education can be.