Zabludowicz Collection Announces Details Of 2015 Testing Ground: Master Class

Zabludowicz Collection

The Zabludowicz Collection has announced details of the 2015 Testing Ground: Master Class, a creative and professional development workshop for emerging artists. Now in its third year, Master Class is part of Testing Ground for art and education, the Collection’s annual season exploring different modes of art pedagogy and experimental practice. Guest tutors in this year’s edition are leading British artists Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, Matthew Darbyshire, Elizabeth Price and Mark Titchner.

Testing Ground: Master Class offers a unique and free opportunity for emerging artists to work closely with leading international artists to discuss and develop their individual studio practices. Over the course of a week, eight young artists nominated by artist-led spaces from across the UK will participate in an intensive series of tutorials, workshops, reading groups, studio and gallery visits and seminars led by artist Doug Fishbone with guest artists Marvin Gaye Chetwynd, Matthew Darbyshire, Elizabeth Price and Mark Titchner, as well as Zabludowicz Collection curators and other art specialists. After closed daytime sessions, the programme opens to the public in the evening when the established artists each present a talk about their art practice. This year’s Master Class will focus on a critical consideration of ideas around artefact, in particular the ways in which contemporary artists transform existing cultural material.

The emerging artists participating in this year’s initiative have been nominated by Beacon (Lincoln), Catalyst Arts (Belfast), Eastside Projects (Birmingham), KARST (Plymouth), Mexico (Leeds), Spike Island (Bristol), The NewBridge Project (Newcastle) and 38B (London). Each organisation suggested emerging artists at a crucial stage in their careers where the opportunity for sustained critical dialogue would help consolidate and boost their practice. In addition to having unparalleled access to internationally renowned artists, the Master Class participants are able to build a national network of peers. Participating artists in 2015 are: ATOI (Amy Thomas & Oliver Irvine), Simeon Barclay, Rosa Farber, Robert Foster, Luke McCreadie, Lindsey Mendick, Laura Phillips and Tom Watt.

Previous Master Class participants have gone on to significantly develop their practice in various contexts. In 2013 Andrew Lacon was awarded the Wheatley Bequest Fine Art Fellowship at Birmingham City University and Thomas Whittle presented a solo exhibition at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art, Sunderland. In 2014 Bronwen Buckeridge presented a new commission at Whitstable Biennial and her work also featured in the Revolver II exhibition at Matt’s Gallery, London. Flore Nové-Josserand, who took part in the 2013 workshop, is part of the Zabludowicz Collection Invites exhibition programme later in 2015.

Testing Ground: Master Class was conceived of and developed in collaboration with London based artist, Doug Fishbone. He has presented work at Dulwich Picture Gallery, Tate Britain and Serpentine Gallery, all London, Arnolfini, Bristol, and Manchester Art Gallery, amongst other places. He teaches regularly at University of Westminster and Chelsea College of Arts, UAL, as well as giving guest lectures at various art schools throughout the UK.

Zabludowicz Collection is dedicated to bringing emerging art to new audiences and actively supporting arts organisations and artists. It was founded in 1994 and in 2015 will celebrate its 20th Anniversary. The Collection holds over 3000 works by over 600 artists, spanning 40 years of art production. Its focus is on emerging art from the late 20th century to the present day. The Zabludowicz Collection’s programme is focused on working with artists and curators to produce exhibitions of works from the Zabludowicz Collection which examine contemporary art practice and the Collection in a public forum and respond to the unusual exhibition space at 176 Prince of Wales Road. The Collection also exhibits in permanent venues in the USA and Finland.

EVENING ARTIST’S LECTURES 7 PM, FREE

Wednesday 28 January: Mark Titchner Friday 30 January: Elizabeth Price
Saturday 31 January: Marvin Gaye Chetwynd Monday 2 February: Matthew Darbyshire

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