Exhibitions

  1. The 80s: Photographing Britain (2024) [Exhibition]. Tate Britain. London. 21/11/24 - 05/05/25.

I really enjoyed this exhibition and discovered a number of new artists, Jo Spence (1934–1992) and Terry Dennett (1938–2018) being two.

  1. Jeff Wall ‘Life in Pictures’ (2024) [Exhibition]. White Cube. Bermondsey, London. 22/11/24 - 12/01/25.

I thoroughly enjoyed this exhibition which was beautifully curated. I further researched Jeff Walls work and his use of light boxes which I was hitherto not aware of. This led me to the excellent book “The Photograph as Contemporary Art” by Charlotte Cotton. I was particularly interested the chapters on Deadpan and Tableau photography. It also provided an insight into the practices of artists who have used billboards and public signage in order to show their work. Deanna Lawson was one such photographer who I researched further.

  1. The Turner Prize ’24

I was drawn to the investigation of identity in the work of Jasleen Kaur which led me to further research and a viewing of a Tate presentation of “I’m drawn to things that are hidden, like the intangible bits of history.”

  1. Requiem, Chris Ofili

I enjoyed the scale of the work.

“No Woman No Cry” by Chris Ofili: Beautiful work which I then researched. I liked the use of collage and the multi layering. This then led me to the work of Steve McQueen 1969 and his films and Small Axe on BBC I player). I found the film “Hunger” particularly powerful and relevant to the theme of resilience in my own work.

  1. Fragile Beauty: Photographs from the Sir Elton John and David Furnish Collection (2024) [Exhibition]. Victoria & Albert Museum. Kensington, London. 18/05/24 - 05/01/25.

Some very evocative photography and in particular the work of Nan Goldin whom I researched further.

  1. Streic! 84-85 Strike! (2024) [Exhibition]. National Museum of Wales. Cardiff. 26/10/24 - 27/04/25.

A really interesting exhibition and I communicated with the museum on returning to London expressing my interest. They very kindly supplied me with some material which was relevant and I hope to use in a collage piece.

  1. So many ways to hurt you (Jeremy Deller) (2024) [Exhibition]. National Museum of Wales. Cardiff. 25/05/24 - 05/01/25.

I very much admire Deller’s work in exploring identity and in documenting important events through history and British culture.

  1. Darnau/Fragments (Marian Delyth) (2024) [Exhibition]. Ffotogallery. The Old Sunday School, Fanny St., Cardiff, Wales. 04/10/24 - 14/12/24.

This was a really vibrant set up with a wealth of photography, embracing not only the valleys project but other projects. I will definitely return when they reopen in March.

  1. No Comment (2024) [Exhibition]. Koestler Arts. Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. 01/11/24 - 15/12/24.

This was a very powerful exhibition and the Koestler foundation are pivotal in providing opportunities for artists like John Costi who co curated the show with Jeremy Deller.

See Koestler Arts’ website.

  1. Hard Graft: Work, Health and Rights (2024) [Exhibition]. Wellcome Collection. London. 19/09/24 - 27/04/25.

I was disappointed by the exhibition which I thought could have been far more impactful on such an important subject.

  1. The Drawing Room, Bermondsey

This was an excellent exhibition which we were fortunate in attending as part of the MA Print and Drawing groups. Thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and great to see the work they do with the community.

  1. The Josef Herman Foundation, Ystradgynlais, South Wales

Having contacted the Foundation I was very fortunate in being invited along for a private view at the centre and where I met with all of the Trustees, a number of whom had been friendly with the artist during his stay in the area. I was humbled by their generosity and kindness in spending so much time with me, in showing the works and in showing me the walks in the neighbourhood. The highlight of my Christmas.

I have recorded more elsewhere on the work of Josef Herman.

  1. Expression in Blue, Felicity Aylieff, Kew Gardens

An interesting collaboration with the Xin Liang Big Pot Factory on the outskirts of Jingdezhen and Aylieff in creating very large vessels and sculptures for public spaces. The artist had researched material in the library at Kew Gardens which also served as a beautiful setting for work within the gallery space itself, and for larger pieces throughout the gardens themselves. Served as a reminder of the power of art in public spaces, and which prompted further research into the work of Antony Gormley (1950) and Rachel Whitehead (1963) in particular.

  1. The Valleys (2024) [Exhibition]. National Museum of Wales. Cardiff. 25/05/24 - 05/01/25.

  2. Mike Kelley: Ghost and Spirit (2024) [Exhibition]. Tate Modern. London. 03/10/24 - 09/03/25.

  3. Drawn to Blue: Artists’ use of blue paper (2024) [Exhibition]. The Courtauld. London. 04/10/24 - 26/01/25.

  4. Port Talbot UFO Investigation Club (Roo Lewis) (2024) [Exhibition]. The Photobook Cafe. London. 19/09/24.