Nottingham Contemporary

Ellen Angus will help us to reflect on the many different iterations of an artist statement, a ‘piece of writing’ that often uncomfortably pins down our practice. Constantly shifting, an artist statement takes on different shapes, masks, performances over time.

The artist statement is something that can be understood as both performative (as creating an explanation of practice) and soul bearing. It can change depending on context and use (e.g., how does a statement look for a funding bid, project proposal or university application). Some artist statements seem to take on a life of their own, going rogue, reeling in the surreal or the fictive.

Ellen proclaims to have followed a variety of rabbits down different rabbit warrens, at times, thinking she has found a context that her practice sits comfortably under, until an artwork rebels and becomes tyrannical setting up camp elsewhere causing everything to shift. At other times Ellen has felt completely bored of the ‘older’ work that she was attempting to relate her artist statement to.

Together we will look at the ways in which the process of writing an artist statement can be transformative, perplexing, and exciting. How can we use this act to really look, reflect and examine the work, its purpose, and your reasons for making it?

This event is part of the NMG Development Programme (2021 – 2022) and delivered in partnership with Nottingham Contemporary‘s 1525 Collective, through Future of Futures, an immersive year-long research, engagement and artistic project led by young people.

Due to capacity this event is exclusively for NMG associates and 1525 Collective Members, but resources will be shared on NMG’s website following the event.

Image credit: Ellen Angus for Cater 4 U, Four/Four, Nottingham, 2021. Photo by Freddy Griffiths.