Illustration students put young people in the picture about BAS9

India said: “Before I started at the University of Wolverhampton, I never would have dreamt that in my second year of the Illustration course I would have the chance to be involved in such an exciting commission. I was always told that the University of Wolverhampton was the University of Opportunity, and these past two years have really proved this to me.” 

Daniel said: “One of the core messages present in the British Art Show 9 is one of collaboration and unity – which is why it is fitting that our work will be a joint venture. Not only between myself and India, but also between Arts Connect, the University of Wolverhampton and more.  

“So far the process has been incredible, with regular meetings and interviews that all afford a glimpse into the life of a freelance illustrator. As a local lad born in the Midlands, I’m proud to be able to represent Wolverhampton’s storied cultural heritage.  

“With the designs, the two of us have sought to tap into the heart and soul of British Art Show 9, reflecting key themes of collaboration and empowerment present through the exhibitions. We’ve endeavoured to achieve this through an exciting and dynamic style that evokes the spirit of (pro) activism – that of rising up to make a positive and lasting change. We have combined the traditional graffiti aesthetic with contemporary 3D graphics, as this visual language portrays the lively activist spirit. Bold exciting shapes and striking colours will inspire young people of the endless possibilities the arts have to offer, and how hopeful new futures surround us. 

“Our lecturers have been such an amazing support throughout this project, as we have been able to set up meetings and communicate our ideas, gaining valuable feedback. Their expertise has been instrumental with our work, and the transition to an online-only environment in light of the pandemic has been seamless and smooth.’’ 

The British Art Show 9 Discover and Bronze Arts Award logbooks that Daniel and India create will be available in ‘hard copy’ and digital formats by September 2021. Young people, teachers and families will be able to access the free resource to guide their exploration of British Art Show 9 and support their creative activities.  

British Art Show 9 curators Irene Aristizábal and Hammad Nasar were selected by a panel of curators from Hayward Gallery Touring and the participating cities. They bring international experience to the role and have both worked on major exhibitions in the UK, Europe, America and Asia. 

The exhibition introduces visitors to over 40 artists practising in Britain over the past five years, providing an insight into the most exciting contemporary art being produced in this country in this extraordinary moment in our history. The exhibition explores three overarching themes – healing, care and reparative history; tactics for togetherness; and imagining new futures – these conceptual frameworks were devised prior to the pandemic, however, with the recent global recognition of racial injustice sparked by the Black Lives Matter protests of summer 2020, all three thematics have become even more relevant to the present moment. 

Artists include: Hurvin Anderson, Michael Armitage, Simeon Barclay, Oliver Beer, Zach Blas, Kathrin Böhm, Maeve Brennan, James Bridle, Helen Cammock, Than Hussein Clark, Cooking Sections, Jamie Crewe, Oona Doherty, Sean Edwards, Mandy El-Sayegh, Mark Essen, Gaika, Beatrice Gibson, Patrick Goddard, Anne Hardy, Celia Hempton, Andy Holden, Joey Holder, Marguerite Humeau, Lawrence Lek, Ghislaine Leung, Paul Maheke, Elaine Mitchener, Oscar Murillo, Grace Ndiritu, Uriel Orlow, Hardeep Pandhal, Hetain Patel, Florence Peake, Heather Phillipson, Joanna Piotrowska, Abigail Reynolds, Margaret Salmon, Hrair Sarkissian, Katie Schwab, Tai Shani, Marianna Simnett, Victoria Sin, Hanna Tuulikki, Caroline Walker, Alberta Whittle and Rehana Zaman. 

IMAGE FOLDER 

BAS9 has been conceived as a cumulative experience. The exhibition is designed to change and adapt to each of its four host cities, presenting different combinations of artists and artworks that respond to their distinctive local contexts. The exhibition includes a film programme in each of the four host cities and online, expanding the selection of works on view. 

Four of the new works in the British Art Show 9 tour are made possible with the generous support of the Art Fund and these will be acquired by museum partners in each city for their own collections, as a marker of the lasting legacy of this ambitious touring show. BAS9 will also benefit from the support of Arts Council England’s Project Grant for National Activities which is allowing partners to produce ambitious and wide ranging programmes of creative learning, civic engagement and participation that will further extend the reach of BAS9 across the four partner cities. 

The exhibition is accompanied by a publication published by Hayward Gallery Publishing which includes two wide-ranging curatorial essays, over 200 colour illustrations and original texts on all 47 artists. 

Anyone interested in studying in the University’s School of Art should register for one of the University’s forthcoming Virtual Open Days. 

For press enquiries about Arts Connect contact Felicity Martin, Communications and Marketing Manager. Mobile: 07779 773197. Email: F.Martin@wlv.ac.uk   

ENDS 

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