“The more things change…” is an exhibition of work by key artists from the Blk Art Group at Wolverhampton Art Gallery
I have been invited as a panellist to speak during the ‘Collectivism, Community and Collaboration’ conversation alongside Bolanle Tajudeen - founder of Black Blossoms Online, Blk Art Research Group Project (Keith Piper, Marlene Smith and Claudette Johnson) and Janet Vernon, and Black Obsidian Sound System. Speakers will discuss their practices and the place of collectivism, community, and collaboration in the arts. Ian Sergeant and Sylvia Theuri will chair the event.
The more things change… tells the story of the Blk Art Group from 1979 to 1984 by platforming a collective of artists who had developed their knowledge of art history, artistic skills, and expertise at art schools in Nottingham, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Bradford and London and then focuses on their evolving individual practices from 1985 to the present day.
Over 30 works by Claudette Johnson, Keith Piper, Marlene Smith, Donald Rodney, and Janet Vernon will occupy three rooms within the gallery space. Exploring the collective’s aesthetic practice, the exhibition includes paintings, works on paper, mixed media, sculpture, and film.