Community Artist for the Ashmolean
The Project
The Ashmolean museum is looking for an artist or artists to work on a co-curated project this summer.
The focus of the project is the ‘Chantrey Wall’, a triple height display of plaster cast heads representing some of the most eminent and wealthy members of 18th century society in Britain at the time of the sculptor Francis Chantrey. Many of these figures were linked to the slave trade; some were set up to benefit from it, some were abolitionists, and some were both. These entangled histories are not currently evident in the display, nor are the important and impactful histories of those who's labour supported the Georgian society that these figures lived in. This wall highlights a select section of society, we plan to fill in the gaps and allow this wall to display and celebrate our multi-cultural Britain, telling a fuller story. The Chantrey Wall project (working title ‘Busted’) aims to shine a light on the role of these figures and to think about who should have been included in the display.
The Team
The project is being led by two of the Ashmolean’s ‘Community Connectors’: Rawz Campbell and Olivia Holder who are working with local community groups.
Curatorial and project management support is provided by Matthew Winterbottom and Natasha Podro.
The artworks
The aim is to create an artwork (or ideally two) incorporating the feedback from our groups – and potentially involving them in its creation.
We have three potential spaces to choose from and welcome pitches incorporating one, two, or all three of the spaces:
An enormous picture window opposite the wall which could bring colour and light onto the staircase in front of the display with a translucent collage.
The wall beneath the display which currently has space for a 2D artwork.
We could arrange to remove up to three of the busts on display to be replaced with new sculptures.
The artist
We are looking for artists with experience of working with community groups to respond to the Ashmolean’s display. We would particularly welcome hearing from UK based artists of colour.
Project scope and financing
The day rate offered is £200 per day and each artwork, we anticipate 1 day planning and meetings, 1 day working with each of our community groups (ideally at least three groups), plus four days to complete the design of the artwork. We look forward to beginning this work in June 2022 and would require availability in Oxford during June, we hope the work will be in place by the end of July.
It may be that we have enough funding to produce two pieces – eg, both a collage and a sculpture – in which case please feel free to pitch for one or other, or both.
How to apply
Please send the following documents to natasha.podro@ashmus.ox.ac.uk
A CV
Up to 10 images of past work
A summary of your approach to the project. (up to 500 words in written/audio or video form)
The deadline for applications is 9.00am on Monday 23rd May.
Do feel free to get in touch with questions before submitting your application.
We aim to interview potential candidates in the week on 27th of May and we will notify all applicants of the outcome by the end of May.