We take a look back at some of the highlights from the recent a-n Assembly, which focused on activism in the arts and the artist as activist, activator and change maker.
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This week’s selection includes exhibitions in London, Washington, Glasgow and Edinburgh – all taken from our busy Events section featuring shows and events posted by a-n members.
Taking place 17-20 October 2019, the annual Art Licks Weekend highlighting London’s artist-led and non-profit project spaces returns to venues across the city. We preview some of the events and exhibitions taking place under this year’s theme ‘Interdependence’ including some of the projects from outside London that are being hosted by partner spaces within the capital.
Our 2019 programme of one-day artist-led events continues with Assembly Thamesmead addressing how artists, drawn by opportunity and affordability, are living and working in new parts of the city, while Assembly Stoke-on-Trent throws into focus the idea of the artist as activist, activator and change maker.
Underpinning is the project of Aberdeen-based artist Kirsty Russell. This profile includes a video interview, recorded at Assembly Aberdeen, in which Russell introduces her practice, which often involves ‘creating spaces where there’s room for other people and ideas.’
D2 is a DIY event space in Aberdeen with a focus on experimental music, performance and immersive club experiences. This profile includes a video interview recorded at Assembly Aberdeen with D2 member Jack Ryan, who highlights the importance of building relationships and sharing skills.
A+E is a Glasgow-based multi-disciplinary collective who work at the intersection of art and ecology. This profile includes a video interview, recorded at Assembly Aberdeen, with A+E members Lucy Watkins, Maria Sledmere and Finn Arschavir, who introduce their practice and describe the benefits of working with others to find new perspectives.
Dundee-based project Dain’ Hings was initiated by Duncan of Jordanstone fine art students Jek McAllister and Saskia Singer as a way to invite fellow artists to ‘just dae hings’ This profile includes a video interview, recorded at Assembly Aberdeen, in which they explain how they got started using readily-available resources, including their local pub.
Gaada Projects works in venues across Shetland, offering platforms and support to local communities. This profile includes a video interview, recorded at Assembly Aberdeen, with Gaada’s co-directors Daniel Clark and Amy Gear, who outline the challenges and opportunities of setting up an artist-led initiative in a remote, rural location.
Naoko Mabon, who works under the name Wagon, is an Aberdeen-based freelance curator. This profile includes a video interview recorded at Assembly Aberdeen in which Mabon introduces her work and offers advice to artists thinking about setting up their own initiative.
Dartmoor-based artists Tabatha Andrews and Tim Bolton will collaborate with former Jaeger seamstresses for their sculptural project Make It Up, which draws on the port city’s textile and naval history.
The new fund from Jerwood Arts awards nearly £185,000 of grants to enable a ‘step-change’ in the practice and profile of those involved.
Creative Scotland is running a £400,000 pilot programme to support five of Scotland’s artist-led spaces to explore the best ways to sustain artist-run and collectively organised activity. Glasgow-based artist and writer Jessica Ramm considers the questions that will be asked.
Artist Jane Simpson, who runs Swansea gallery GS Artists, describes the challenge of maintaining relevance as an artist-led initiative and her optimism for the future. In a video interview recorded at a-n’s Assembly Swansea event in May 2019, which was programmed in collaboration with Simpson and explored the difficulties and advantages of running artist-led projects in the city.
With a background in gallery education and working with communities, and in research, Cardiff-based artist Thomas Goddard introduces his practice and describes the necessity and benefits of working with other people.
Roger Lougher shares his experience of running artist-led project Rhôd in rural Carmarthenshire. Recorded at a-n’s Assembly Swansea event in May 2019.
Karen Mackinnon, curator at Swansea’s Glynn Vivian Gallery, introduces her work and talks about the importance of art having a social purpose. Includes a video interview recorded at a-n’s Assembly Swansea event in May 2019.
Members of Aberdeen artist-led project Tendency Towards – Yvette Bathgate, Jessica Barrie and Jake Shepherd – describe the challenges and opportunities of working in a place that “people pass through on their way somewhere else”. Includes a video interview recorded at a-n’s Assembly Swansea event in May 2019.
The first a-n Assembly event of 2019 kicked off in Swansea with a day of talks, soap boxes, performance and a game of bingo, culminating in the creation of a manifesto for a Swansea union of artists.
This week’s selection includes exhibitions and events in London, Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton, Stroud and Margate – all taken from a-n’s Events section featuring shows and events posted by members.
Over the next three years, the organisations will be part of the GUILD project, a comprehensive programme of research, mentoring, tailored support, and infrastructure and space development.
A selection of recommended shows, including: Sean Scully’s abstract paintings at the National Gallery, London, Steven Paige’s moving image works at The Gallery at Plymouth College of Art, and McDermott and McGough’s The Oscar Wilde Temple, at Studio Voltaire, London.
The gallery in Swansea city centre has moved into its fifth building since launching in 2007, with better access and a variety of exhibition, workshop and performance spaces.
