Community of Practice - Artist Practice Sessions

Since November 2011, I have been running a monthly Artist Practice Session at Rogue Project Space, Manchester.  Within each session, 1-2 artists present an aspect of their practice and audience artists offer supportive discourse and feedback.  Past presenting artists have included Mike Chavez Dawson, Jessica Longmore, Nicola Dale, Jacqueline Wylie.  Upcoming presenting artists include Daniel Fogarty, Annie Harrison and Sarah Sanders.

For further information, please visit the site - http://communityofpracticeman.tumblr.com/.

Studio Chongqing

The Studio Chongqing Symposium at the Chinese Arts Centre, Manchester, last Thursday presented a variety of examples of artists work and approaches communicating artists narratives of their time upon the Artist Residency in Chongqing, China.  The event was curated by artists Nina Chua and Jessica Longmore, who were in Residence at the 501 Artspace in Chongqing in November 2010.

Nicola Smith, opened the symposium with a welcoming performance, 'Come with Me', where she held a whirring fan towards the guests that spelled out the words 'come with me' in a neon light.  Smith humorously guided us through the lower education suite, dancing to music in a pseudo - Beyonce style, as she wiggled rhythmically whilst moving room dividers into place.  Another former Chongqing artist in residence, Sarah Sanders, presented a durational performance shifting sand from hand to hand for the entire symposium, whereby she stood within a side stairway, framed by a rectangular window.

David Hancock, the first artist in residence in Chongqing, and former Programme Coordinator at the Chinese Arts Centre talked about his experiences developing the programme, creating work within the 501 Artspace studios and curating an exhibition from the Chongqing artists work.

The experimental poet Philip Davenport, read from his blog and poems that he wrote whilst in China for three months.  Other concurrent exhibits, during the symposium included a filmed performance, 'Breathless' by artist and composer Sue Manchoulas, and audio and sketchbook pages from Hetain Patel.  The symposium concluded with a Question and Answer session with former artists in residence Ed Pien and Johannes Zits, who travelled together to Chongqing in April 2010, and a short presentation by the Chinese Arts Centre curator's Ying Kwok.

Thanks to Nina and Jessica for a very interesting and enjoyable afternoon, it was a great opportunity to meet former artists in residence and other artists going out this year.

Studio Chongqing 2011 Symposium

Next month, I will be travelling to Manchester again to attend the 'Studio Chongqing' Symposium at the Chinese Arts Centre.  The symposium, curated by Nina Chua and Jessica Longmore, will explore and evaluate work made by artists whilst upon the Chonqing residency programme.  Some of my own questions about my upcoming residency will be posed to the previous artists in residence, Johannes Zits and Ed Pien.


Tickets for the symposium are free, but limited. To register, please go to http://chongqing-symposium-auto.eventbrite.com/.


Please see below excerpts from the Press Release:


Studio Chongqing A Live Collection of Work and Experiences from the 501 Residency, Chongqing, China.

Thursday 21st April, 1-4pm
Chinese Art Centre, Market Buildings, Thomas Street, Manchester M4 1EU
Free
Studio Chongqing aims to give a glimpse into the experience of a series of artists who have been resident at the 501 Contemporary Art Space, Chongqing.


In central China lies Chongqing City, virtually unknown to the world, but home to over 32 million people and rising. This restless megalopolis is in a continuous state of construction, demolition and reconstruction to accommodate its burgeoning population.


Within the technicolour district of Huang Jue Ping sits the 501 Contemporary Artspace. Over the last 2 years, the Chinese Art Centre has introduced many artists from Manchester and beyond to the residency programme at the 501. For Studio Chongqing we have brought together, both physically and virtually artists from Manchester and all over the world to present to you an aspect of their experience in Chongqing.


Please join us for this afternoon of performance, presentation and discussion and catch a glimpse through the window of Studio Chongqing.

Eastman Cheng (Hong Kong)
Nina Chua (Manchester)
Philip Davenport (Manchester)
David Hancock (Manchester)
The Chinese Art Centre (Manchester)
Sue Manchoulas (London/Australia)
Hetain Patel (Nottingham)
Ed Pien (Toronto)
Sarah Sanders (Manchester)
Nicola Smith (Manchester)
Johannes Zits (Toronto)


This event has been curated by Nina Chua and Jessica Longmore.  If you require any further information on the event please contact Jessica contact@jessicalongmore.com