Culture Mile and Cult Vision present an in-store exhibition of newly commissioned artwork included in the Culture & Commerce: ‘Fuelling the Creative Renewal’ Report.
Chaired by the Lord Mayor in partnership with the City of London Corporation and Culture Mile, the new Culture and Commerce Taskforce assembles leading figures from across the capital to address the current massive challenges faced by the cultural and creative industries in the City, and London more widely, through better connecting the cultural and commercial sectors.
The Culture and Commerce Taskforce believes that by coming together, culture and commerce can develop new ways of collaborating, to build a renewed creative sector that drives economic growth and supports competitive advantage for the City and London.
In order to celebrate the value, resilience and vibrancy of the creative industries, as well as supporting those artists who work within them, the Culture & Commerce Taskforce commissioned eight new artworks which have been threaded throughout the Culture & Commerce: ‘Fuelling Creative Renewal’ report.
The artworks and artists have responded in a great way to some of the themes contained with the report.
The 8 pieces of commissioned artwork will be showcased as a window installation at Cult Vision in Clerkenwell.
Catherine Yass
New Skills
Catherine Yass is a Turner Prize nominated artist, who is best known for her film-based work and photographs on light boxes. Her work responds to the theme of ‘New Skills’.
In 2020 the Guildhall Art Gallery acquired its first digital media artwork Last Stand (2019) by Catherine Yass. The film was premiered at the Gallery’s exhibition Architecture of London alongside one of Yass’ lightbox artworks Damage (2009).
Hannah Starkey
Space
Hannah Starkey is a photographic artist working from the female perspective. She lives in East London and creates most of her work there. Her work responds to ‘Space’.
In 2019, the Guildhall Art Gallery appointed Hannah Starkey as Guildhall Artist-in-Residence. The theme for the inaugural residency was ‘Celebrating City Women’. 13 works from the residency were acquired for the Gallery’s collection.
Ferha Farooqui
International Connections
Ferha Farooqui is a painter whose work explores the cultural and social changes that affect the Borough of Newham, where she lives. Her work was inspired by the theme ‘International Connections’.
In 2020 the Guildhall Art Gallery acquired Carnival Procession (2016) by Ferha Farooqui.
Patrick Bullock
New Approaches
Patrick Bullock is a multi-disciplinary artist, designer, illustrator, and sculptor who weaves narratives from unusual materials using natural forms. His work responds to the theme ‘New Approaches’.
Patrick has been working with the City of London Corporation’s Cultural and Visitor Services team and LGBT+ staff network on designing and producing a float for the Pride in London parade.
Soofiya
Digital
Soofiya is a visual artist, designer and illustrator. Their work provides a socio-political commentary on race, gender and inclusion in the arts and cultural sector. Their work was inspired by the prompt ‘Digital’.
Soofiya also designed Culture Mile’s Imagine Packs – resource packs supporting older residents to get creative during lockdown.
Jess Nash
New Voices
Jess Nash is a freelance illustrator inspired by culture and narrative. Her artwork was inspired by ‘New Voices’.
Jess was commissioned by the Cultural and Visitor Services team to produce two Our City Together Creative Challenges, aimed at inspiring families to get creative at home during Covid-19 national restrictions. She also collaborated with composer Blasio Kavuma on nonclassical’s digital multimedia project ’66 Days’ commissioned by the City of London Corporation, in partnership with Mayflower 400 UK.
Yvonne Courtney
Acceleration
Yvonne Courtney works with textiles and collage. She is the founder of Collage London. Her work responds to the theme “Acceleration”.
Yvonne is one of Culture Mile’s Imagine Fund grant recipients, supporting local people to realise creative and community projects.
Kit Finnie
Resilience
Kit Finnie is an artist who makes poems, zines and theatre. Her piece responds to the theme ‘Resilience’.
Kit developed the creative activities for Culture Mile’s first Imagine Pack, providing resources for older people who may be experiencing isolation. In addition Kit was commissioned to create a poem that will be incorporated into Moor Lane Community Garden, a new temporary installation that aims to increase the provision of green space in Moor Lane.