Hastings Contemporary, one of the UK’s most revered contemporary galleries is delighted to announce that Project Art Works, the Turner Prize-nominated collective of neuro-diverse artists and activists based in the historic coastal town of Hastings, will present a new exhibition celebrating their extraordinary creative output at the Foreshore Gallery in Hastings Contemporary.
Opening on October 8 and continuing on with the successful partnership already forged between the south coast gallery and this charitable organisation, Hastings Contemporary will present works from the Project Art Works archive alongside work created during the Ignition Studio Intervention that took place at Hastings Contemporary during the last lockdown.
Project Art Works temporarily took over part of Hastings Contemporary for a collaborative residency to recover and reconnect as the winter ended and spring began. This collaboration marked the emergence from a long year of lockdown and isolation to a more hopeful and safe environment within the gallery space.
The opening in October of Project Art Works collective exhibition will coincide with opening of The Turner Prize Exhibition show at The Herbert Gallery in Coventry, as part of The UK City of Culture 2021. The eventual winner, of which Project Art Works is a nominee, will be announced on December 1. The awards will be broadcast via a live screening at Hastings Contemporary Gallery, with gallery tours of the exhibition being led by our celebrated Robot. Interactive workshops and events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Director of Hastings Contemporary Liz Gilmore, said: “Earlier this year at Hastings Contemporary, during lockdown, passers-by looking through the windows of the closed gallery were able to view the studio practices of the astonishing Project Art Works artist collective. It is perhaps not surprising that the extraordinary art and practices of Project Art Works have been nominated for the 2021 Turner Prize.
“Coinciding with the Turner Prize exhibition in Coventry this autumn, this exhibition gives a chance to see the finished artworks made in lockdown and wider selection of pieces made by this important artist collective. It celebrates the incredible and dynamic contribution of neuro-minorities to art and society and reflects the commitment and ambitions of Hastings Contemporary to be a cultural hub for Hastings.”
Kate Adams CEO/artist director of Project Art Works, said: “Project Art Works has been nominated for the Turner Prize in recognition of our practice over the last 20 years, which celebrates and raises awareness of the dynamic and extraordinary contribution neuro-minorities make to society, art and culture.
“We are thrilled that the contribution neuro-divergent artists make to cultural and civic life has been recognised by the Turner Prize curatorial team. Hosting our exhibition at Hastings Contemporary gives local people the opportunity to see the work made in our residency earlier this year and join in our celebration of this nomination. We have collaborated with Hastings Contemporary for a number of years so it’s wonderful to have them as hosts of this exhibition.”
Hastings Contemporary has now successfully re-opened to members, patrons and to all visitors, with a much-anticipated exhibition ‘Seaside Modern’, which will remain open until October 31 2021.
Image Credits: Project Art Works .