Sotheby’s Institute of Art-London is launching a series of talks on contemporary art on campus at Bedford Square. MA Contemporary Art lecturer Pierre Saurisse shares the inspiration behind the upcoming discussions.
The talks series will feature discussions on diverse art forms and practices, spotlighting artists at various career stages and offering valuable insights into the evolving art landscape. These talks highlight each artist's unique perspective, fostering a deeper understanding of creative journeys and the wider cultural conversations shaping today’s art world.
MA Contemporary Art lecturer Pierre Saurisse shares the inspiration and purpose behind the conception of the series.
What was the primary inspiration behind curating this series of contemporary art talks?
These talks are organised in relation to the MA in Contemporary Art at Sotheby's Institute of Art-London. In this program, academics, art critics, museum directors and other professionals talk to students, and it was essential to hear the voice of artists too. As artist talks are so popular, it made sense to open these talks to the public. It’s a chance to hear artists talking about their practice, but also to ask them questions, or even to have a chat with them at the reception.
How did the idea evolve to focus on artists at various career stages, and why is that significant?
In the contemporary art scene, there are big names, emerging artists who are just starting to gain recognition, and those with mid-career retrospectives in museums. There’s no reason to focus on one generation over another in these talks. We aim to invite renowned artists while also amplifying new voices.
How do you envision these talks enhancing our understanding of contemporary art practices?
We often read and hear about art from various art professionals, but artists have their own way of talking about their work. They might talk about the origins of a piece, its evolution through the process of its making, or the significance it has for them on a personal or artistic level. Artists sharing their own vision of their works is one of the reasons why it’s so fascinating to hear them talking about their practice.
How did you select the artists to ensure diverse perspectives and practices are represented?
I was keen to reflect the variety of the contemporary art scene as much as possible. With that in mind, I invited artists from different backgrounds and working in various mediums, some are at the beginning of their career and others are more established. Bruno Zhu, our first host, is a Portuguese artist and his parents are from China, his installations are often informed by scenography and fashion. Florence Peake will talk to us in December, and she is primarily involved in performance art, although painting is always present in one way or another! In January we will welcome a Balinese artist whose work takes on a tradition of Indonesian art to challenge patriarchal culture.
In what ways do you hope the series will impact students and attendees’ understanding of the art world?
Some talks take place on the occasion of an exhibition and will be led by curators. This is a great opportunity to get an insight into the work behind an exhibition. Also, artists can sometimes talk incredibly candidly about their relation with galleries, dealers, collectors, and the art world in general, that is, in itself, so refreshing!