Written in Water

I exhibited 'Written in Water', my series of 10 square bas-relief plates, in the group exhibition 'Life Is More Important Than Art' at Whitechapel Gallery, 14 June - 13 September 2023.

This exhibition explores the intersection of art and everyday life and the role of the contemporary art institution at a time of uncertainty and change.

The title takes inspiration from African-American writer and novelist James Baldwin, who proposed that life is more important than art … that is why art is important. At a time when the cost of living crisis is causing severe financial hardship and the after-effects of the pandemic are still being felt, we consider the role of art and the art institution in everyday life. What importance can we attach to art alongside more pressing concerns?

Exhibiting artists:
Rana Begum
William Cobbing
Sarah Dobai
Susan Hiller
Matthew Krishanu
Jerome
Janette Parris
John Smith
Alia Syed
Mitra Tabrizian
Mark Wallinger
Osman Yousefzada

Exhibition catalogue:
At a time when the cost of living crisis is causing severe financial hardship and the after-effects of the pandemic are still being felt, Life Is More Important Than Art considers the role of art and the art institution in everyday life. What importance can we attach to art alongside more pressing concerns?

Published to accompany a summer-long, multidisciplinary programme of exhibitions, installations, participatory projects and live events – Life is More Important Than Art (14 June–17 September 2023) – this book explores the intersection of art and everyday life and the role of the contemporary art institution at a time of uncertainty and change.

The catalogue includes a foreword by the gallery’s director Gilane Tawadros, an introductory essay by the show’s curators, Gilane Tawadros and Janette Parris, and features artworks by Rana Begum, William Cobbing, Sarah Dobai, Susan Hiller, Jerome, Matthew Krishanu, Janette Parris, John Smith, Alia Syed, Mitra Tabrizian, Mark Wallinger Osman Yousefzada and an interview with Kinsi Abdulleh of The Somali Museum.

Paperback with flaps, 96 pages, 220 x 170 mm

Colour illustrations throughout

ISBN: 978-0-85488-319-6

First published 2023

• https://www.whitechapelgallery.org/exhib...