Summer season 2019

John Akomfrah
Ballasts of Memory
July 6–October 27, 2019
Since the early 1980s, John Akomfrah’s moving image works have offered some of the most rigorous and expansive reflections on the culture of the black diaspora, both in the UK and around the world. Ballasts of Memory includes the European premiere of Precarity, which tells the story of Charles “Buddy” Bolden—the African American cornettist and key figure in the development of jazz music; and The Unfinished Conversation (2012), which reflects on memory and identity through the life and work of Stuart Hall, founder of British Cultural Studies.

Mick Peter
To Me, To You
June 22–October 27, 2019

Mick Peter uses fictional imagery influenced by cartoon aesthetics to create playful installations. BALTIC presents a new commission drawing on archetypes of "the artist." Peter will create a large-scale installation, where visitors can experience a fictional sequence of sculpture production in the public realm. Using humour, Peter observes the obscurities contained in the process of art-making, particularly within a gallery context.

Employing common understanding alongside misconceptions of art-making and exhibition-making, Peter unveils these processes from start to finish. He references western abstract modern sculpture, often used as a standardised representation and typical signifier of contemporary art in mass media in strip cartoons and editorial illustrations. Peter questions whether these comic illustrations of art contribute to a continued undermining of its perception, significance and meaning.

Ifeoma U. Anyaeji
Ezuhu ezu – In(complete)
May 24–September 22, 2019

Ifeoma U. Anyaeji explores the idea of value and addresses environmental issues such as mass consumption and waste through sculptures, reliefs and installations made out of discarded bottles, plastic bags and found objects. For her first solo exhibition in the UK, the artist brings together a selection of recent sculptural works, some of which have been adapted for presentation at BALTIC.

Anyaeji is interested in Nigerian folklore, fashion, music and poetry, and the country’s colonial history. Her sculptures comprise non-biodegradable plastic, wood, wire mesh, twine, and objects, such as shoes, plastic containers and cans, most of which she has sourced locally in Nigeria or wherever she finds herself. Through her exploration of form and material, Anyaeji questions our attitudes towards material culture, global consumerism and the environment.

Survey
July 6–September 29, 2019

Survey is a major exhibition developed by Jerwood Arts that presents new work by 15 early career artists from across the UK. Taking an artist-led approach, exhibiting artists have been selected from nominations made by over 35 established artists covering each UK region. The exhibition explores a wide range of subjects including family relationships, gendered roles, climate-change, alternative economies, the political and social climate in the UK, among other themes.

The selected artists are: Chris Alton, Simeon Barclay, Hazel Brill, Flo Brooks, Emma Cousin, Joe Fletcher Orr, Tom Goddard, Ashley Holmes, Lindsey Mendick, Nicole Morris, Milly Peck, Anna Raczynski, Will Sheridan Jr, Rae-Yen Song, and Frank Wasser.

Survey is supported by Jerwood Arts

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