Last Friday, the Fellows hosted their first public programming event for Sueño De La Madrugada (A Midnight’s Dream): Makella Ama Ketedzi @ma.kevelli and Felix Choong @felixchoong moderating an Artist in Conversation between Firelei Baéz and Alvaro Barrington at the South London Gallery, with an introduction from Rey Londres @reylondres . This conversation was recorded and will be shared in coming weeks.
Take a look at the links in our bio for upcoming events!
Photography credit: Ishmael Hunter @juniorhdp@southlondongallery@fireleibaez@alvarobarrington
In Sueño de la Madrugada (A Midnight’s Dream), Firelei Báez takes you on a journey through vibrant spaces where ecology, power, and resistance interact.
She uses rich colours, elements from nature, sound and light to reflect on complex colonial histories.
Free to visit at the South London Gallery
Until 8 September
Curated by the 2023-24 @new_curators
Ahead of @fireleibaez first solo exhibition in the UK opening 28th June, @new_curators fellows @lemeezedavids & Aditi shows BRICKS around the @southlondongallery . New Curators is a paid twelve-month curatorial training programme for aspiring curators of contemporary art from lower socio-economic backgrounds ✨
Over the past nine months we have been building up to this moment: install! The walls have been built, paint colours chosen and now the works are here. Mark your diaries: Firelei Báez’s first solo exhibition in the UK curated by our inaugural cohort opens at the South London Gallery on 27 June. The preview which is open to all is from 6.30-8.30pm. @southlondongallery@fireleibaez
Join artists Firelei Báez and Alvaro Barrington in conversation, moderated by New Curators fellows Felix Choong and Makella Ama Ketedzi. The artists will discuss overlapping themes in their work, from migration and belonging to materiality and mythology. For tickets see link in bio.
The event takes place on the opening day of Firelei Báez’s exhibition, Sueño de la Madrugada (A Midnight’s Dream), and coincides with Alvaro Barrington’s Tate Britain Commission, Grace. In 2021, the South London Gallery hosted Barrington’s first UK solo exhibition, Spider the Pig, Pig the Spider.
Last month, New Curators completed their module ‘Alternate Models of Curating’ led by @rudimd . The module explored non-traditional approaches to curating, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and the integration of digital technologies. Fellows had some incredible visits from Marina Blake at @brainchildfest , Galen Bullivant @satellite.gallery , Ahmed Abokor @lootynft , Flo Dil @nts_radio , and site visits to @colourfactorylondon , @bcaheritage and @tate to get an insight into Tate Lates. Through these engagements, fellows gained a comprehensive understanding of how to develop and present exhibitions that challenge conventional norms and reach broader audiences. Thank you to all guest speakers for their time and effort!
In an epic six and a half hour seminar yesterday, we looked at Kerry James Marshall’s relationship to different artists and authors. Each member of the cohort presented on a different dialogue he has had. This meant talks on KJM and Charles White, Manet, Goya, Holbein, Mondrian, Fragonard, Seurat, Artemesia Gentilleschi, Malevich, N’Knongo Nkisi figures, Caravaggio, and Ralph Ellison . Congrats to all participants on a fantastic day.
Last week, the fellows were joined by Glenn Adamson who discussed the nuances of curating craft and design, touching on two of his current projects, ‘Toshiko Takaezu: Worlds Within’ at The Isamu Noguchi Foundation and Garden Museum and the forthcoming ‘Nike: Form Follows Motion’ at the Vitra Design Museum, Germany.
Thank you @glenn_adamson !
“What does it mean to be in space and in dialogue with artists in a meaningful and extended way?” Just one of the many curatorial questions discussed with Alessio Antoniolli and New Curators at Gasworks. Thank you @alessio_antoniolli for your time spent with us and to the artists in residence Emilia Álvarez, Iris Helena Lucía Bayón and Tanat Teeradakorn for the visits to your studios. @gasworkslondon@___emiliaalvarez@iris.helena@luciabayon@pgm_991 #
“Dust does not exist without something being eroded. Erosion is caused by friction, and friction can be a form of warmth”. Today, our curatorial fellows met with Otobong Nkanga before the opening of her show ‘We Come From Fire and Return to Fire’ @lisson_gallery . Thank you @otobongnkanga for candidly sharing your process and work with the team. Many fires of the mind were indeed, sparked!
COMING SOON! Firelei Báez: Sueño de la Madrugada (A Midnight’s Dream) opens at the SLG on 28 June.
Báez’s visually striking work explores themes such as folklore, gender, power, ecology and resilience. She delves into the relationship between diasporic cultures and the legacies of colonialism to challenge conventional narratives around identity and history.
Her recent work, ranging from immersive installations to lush paintings, is characterised by depictions of nature, formidable female figures, and a rich colour palette.
The exhibition is curated by the 2023-4 Fellows @new_curators
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Images:
Firelei Báez, ‘Fruta Fina, Fruta Estrana (Lee Monument)’, 2022. Oil and acrylic on archival printed canvas.
Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York
Firelei Báez ‘A Drexcyen chronocommons (To win the war you fought it sideways)’, 2019. Mixed-media installation; two paintings, hand-painted wood frame, perforated tarp, printed mesh, handmade paper over found objects, artificial foliage, books, Oman incense, and palo santo
Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth, New York
@fireleibaez@hauserwirth@hauserwirthsomerset
