OTHER Pt.1 Survival & The Stories of Others Pt.1 Survival “The Other cannot be contained. & Those who try to, are gravely mistaken”. Igniting Women’s History Month with Other...& Stories of Others, a culturally woven occupancy of the entire ground floor with, shows, workshops, happenings and other things in collaboration with Nasty Gallery (London), opening March 6-9 at the Corner Space, 123 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 7DG. The Iranian born, East London printmaker/educator, Aida Wilde, presents OTHER, Pt.1 Survival, a new body of work exploring and questioning the experience of always having to tick ‘the other’ box in forms and documents which runs parallel with her lived experiences since her family claimed political asylum fleeing the Iran/Iraq war to the UK in the 80’s. Feelings of identity purgatory, neither feeling like Wilde belongs here or back in the Iranian community, has left the artist questioning/abandoning herself, her being, relationships and the purpose of her work. The works comprise of over 30, Black and White, handmade textile banners with custom designed poles, and are embellished with their individual commentary and identification badges that provide further context, narrative and understanding of each piece of work. Nasty Gallery is dedicated to empowering women in the arts, providing a platform for diverse, underrepresented artists at every stage of their journey. Commited to fostering an inclusive and safe environment, the gallery creates space for women to share their stories, exhibit their work and reclaim their narratives In & The Stories of Others, within the Other exhibition, a homecoming for Aida Wilde, the Stories unfolds as a happening within Nasty Gallery’s occupancy, featuring workshops, life drawing, creative expression, artist’s surgeries, spoken word, music, including a mental health focused session. Running in tandem with OTHER, this 3-day residency explores themes of DIY, resilience, and belonging, engaging participants in hands on art practice and ownership of uniting narratives that are deemed as Other. Nasty Gallery brings together artists Paige Megan Hawley, CW Stubbs, Apparan, Lior Hatt and Boa Swindler of Nasty Gallery who alongside facilitating workshops, will transform the space with their own art works and contributions from participants. aidawilde.com nastygallery.co.uk
Press Release – Uprising
6-23rd july 2024 10-4pm daily. PV 5th July 5-9pm
Curated by Paige Megan Hawley and CW Stubbs
6-23rd July 2024 10-4pm daily. PV 5th July 5-9pm
1 Trowbridge Road Hackney Wick London E8 5LD
In 1999, Time magazine named Emmeline Pankhurst as one of the top 100 people of the 20th century, stating “she shaped an idea of objects for our time” and ‘shook society into a new pattern from which there could be no going back’. To celebrate both her birthday, (15th July 1858 ) and commemorate in 2018, the bronze statue, Rise Up, Women, being erected in her honour, Uprising is a tribute to the important work the Suffragettes began on the road to equality for women and a massive nod to the inequality within the art world towards women artists.
While there are signs of positive change in the art market for women artists, there still exists enormous room for improvement. The art world’s historical affinity for white male artists very much persists. Women have never been treated equally in the art world and still remain undervalued and underrepresented in galleries, museums and auction houses. Presenting stats and data has not solved the problem but does help with understanding the scope of it.
In the UK, around 70% of undergraduates and 75% of postgraduates in Art & Design are women, while 70% of artists represented at top London galleries are men. Continuing research indicates strong evidence for discrimination towards women artists, why so? Susan Fisher Sterling, Director of the National Museum of Women in the Arts explains that while it might appear women are heading in the right direction, the perception has changed more than the reality but very little has changed at all. She states, “People in the art world want to think we are achieving parity more quickly than we are”.
In the never ending saga surrounding inequality, Uprising is an exhibition celebrating women artists and marking the birth month of Emmeline Pankhurst. Her relentless bravery and commitment to the rights of women, continues to inspire the good fight. Nasty Gallery is (for now) an itinerant female led initiative and off shoot of Nasty Women London. Their aim is to establish a space for exhibitions, performance, spoken word and debate for women in the arts.
Contact Boa Swindler 07531 342128
http//www.facebook.com/nastywomenlondon
@nastygal-lery nastygallery@hotmail.com