Curating Art in Challenging Times

21 April 2023, 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

The Photographers’ Gallery

16-18 Ramillies Street, London W1F 7LW

In this half-day seminar we touch on some of the restrictions on creative freedom faced by artists, writers and curators today. This event is an excavation of elements, from financial to legal, that can often undermine their artistic, and therefore also political, ambitions.

The gap between intention and achievement will be illuminated by a number of case studies by our speakers who are working in potentially difficult, and perhaps even contradictory, political contexts. Censorship can be sometimes obvious. Equally effective in thwarting ambitions, however, can be  more disguised forms of censorship, including discouragement, unavailability, economic constraints and lack of materials.

Showcasing first-hand experiences, this event hopes to map the political and practical difficulties faced by certain artists, writers and curators, and to offer insights into possible strategies for remaining active despite obstacles and representing the art with integrity.

Writer and curator Sacha Craddock (President, AICA-UK) will introduce the session and the speakers will include: artist and filmmaker Sarah Beddington, Erin Li (Curator, Delfina Foundation), artist Goshka Macuga, Marv Recinto (Managing Editor, ArtReview), Sylwia Serafinowicz (Managing Director, Blessed Foundation), and Elena Sudakova (Director, Pushkin House). 

This event is organised in collaboration with AICA-UK, the British section of the AICA International, which brings together art professionals from across the globe to foster critical thinking about art.

The event will be followed by drinks.

Price: £8, £5 members & concessions

To book your place, click on this booking page on the Photographers’ Gallery website. Details on how to access this event will be confirmed upon registration. Please check your junk folders if you haven’t received an email from TPG staff confirming your place.

Image: Democracia, Silence 2020, courtesy of the artists and a/political