Precarious Solidarities Symposium Explores Artists for Democracy Legacies
The online symposium titled 'Precarious Solidarities: Artists for Democracy' took place on 2 February 2023, running from 10:00 to 17:40 UTC. This event was organized by Exhibition Histories, the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College, Asia Art Archive, and the University of Gothenburg, with backing from the Paul Mellon Centre. It focused on the impact of Artists for Democracy (AFD), a group established in London in 1974 by notable figures such as Guy Brett, John Dugger, David Medalla, and Cecilia Vicuña. AFD's contributions included a festival at the Royal College of Art supporting Chile, along with significant projects like Rasheed Araeen's first solo exhibition in 1975 and the 'China Show' in 1976. Featured speakers were Wing Chan, Charles Esche, and Cecilia Vicuña.
Key facts
- Symposium held online on 2 February 2023, 10:00–17:40 UTC
- Organized by Exhibition Histories with Bard College, Asia Art Archive, University of Gothenburg
- Supported by Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
- Focused on Artists for Democracy (AFD), active 1974–77
- AFD founded in London by Guy Brett, John Dugger, David Medalla, Cecilia Vicuña
- First major event: festival and exhibition at Royal College of Art in solidarity with Chile
- AFD later operated at 143 Whitfield Street as Fitzrovia Cultural Centre
- Notable projects included Rasheed Araeen's first solo UK exhibition (1975)
Entities
Artists
- Guy Brett
- John Dugger
- David Medalla
- Cecilia Vicuña
- Rasheed Araeen
- Anne Bean
- Stephen Cripps
- Rose English
- Susan Hiller
- Tina Keane
- Lynn MacRitchie
- David Toop
- George Clark
- Cuong Pham
- Wing Chan
- Jane England
- Charles Esche
- Hannah Healey
- Eileen Legaspi-Ramirez
- María José Lemaitre
- Caroll Yasky
- Courtney J. Martin
- Arianna Mercado
- Adeena Mey
- Jonathan Miles
- David Morris
- Ife Nii Owoo
- Nii Kwate Owoo
- Jun Terra
- Yaiza Hernández Velázquez
Institutions
- Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College
- Asia Art Archive
- Faculty of Fine, Applied and Performing Arts, University of Gothenburg
- Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art
- Artists for Democracy
- Royal College of Art
- Fitzrovia Cultural Centre
- Signals gallery
- News Bulletin
- Museo de la Solidaridad Salvador Allende
- An Viet Archive
- Exhibition Histories
Locations
- London
- United Kingdom
- 143 Whitfield Street
- Chile
- Vietnam
- Indochina
- China
- Africa
- Asia
- Europe
- Americas
Sources
- Afterall —