Irregular Art School Exhibition

The Irregular Art School is an art exhibition exploring inclusive artist development, emerging from a research project taking place in the School of Fine Art, History of Art, and Cultural Studies.

Over the past year a group of artists from Pyramid, students, care professionals and academics with and without learning disabilities have been working together to explore new methods and collaborations to better support the professional development of learning disabled artists in the Leeds City Region. 

 

Traditional routes for artist development like going to university, studio residencies or getting involved with artist-led communities is difficult to access for these artists. The core research team –artists and staff from Pyramid, University of Leeds Lecturer Jade French and University of York Lecturer Katie Graham – have collaborated with different communities including artist-led studio and gallery Assembly House and social care professionals across the region. But more recently, they have been working with staff and students within the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies to explore what it means for an artist to progress within a university setting. 

About the exhibition

The exhibition, curated by undergraduate Fine Art Student Shanelle Bateman, showcases a selection of the artworks created during the research. The exhibition considers the barriers that learning disabled and/or neurodivergent artists at Pyramid have faced when pursuing being an artist and showcases work created in response, as well as pieces which are outcomes of new and experimental collaborations. 

 

Pyramid artist Ria has produced a large-scale dice and corresponding screen prints inviting audiences to ‘play a game of social care’. Artist Victor is showcasing a new art piece titled Genres which lists every musical genre. Artist Liam Hirst has produced paintings and slogans expressing his passion and frustration at barriers which prevent the development of artists with learning disabilities. Artist Alfie Fox has created work about access alongside a series of ‘standies’ – lifesize cardboard cut outs, to help narrate the exhibitions story.  

Alongside Pyramid artists, undergraduate students from the School of Fine Art, History of Art, and Cultural Studies are also exhibiting work. Nicole Guilliam has created a diorama of her ideal art school and Molly Newham is displaying a drawing title ‘University should be…’ inspired by the group’s discussions during the project. 

Interested in joining the Irregular Art School?

The Irregular Art School 100% Unofficial Open Day

A chance to come and meet the Irregular Art School team by joining us at one of the ‘open day’ events where you can be enrolled into the Irregular Art School, meet the exhibiting artists, and learn more about the research: 

• Wednesday 8th February: 11am–12pm or 1.30–2.30pm 

Please note that booking is essential. Free tickets are available via Eventbrite.