Sunday, January 08, 2023

Bob and Roberta Smith's Codex

I'm about to start a portrait artist residency for the Earl's Court Development Company, and will be running some community art workshops as part of what I do. I've done the same with music, often, and it's an interesting change to think about activities that might appeal to adult workshop participants.

Bob and Roberta Smith's project involved autobiographical storytelling by residents of Thamesmead, and this wall of stories, presented in Bob and Roberta Smith's recognisable style, is an inspirational artwork for someone embarking on a new art project. At first sight it's a million miles away from what I plan to do, but ultimately any community arts project should validate individual people who participate in it, however it 'works'.

So yes, a very interesting afternoon. It included a few minutes on the Thames beach, watching a woman feed iceberg lettuce to some very friendly swans. Sundays, eh?




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