Feeling inspired during the lockdown, the influential British artist John Stezaker got started on a new body of work, one which is now on show at The Approach in London until the 26th March. Stezaker claims to have “rediscovered the pleasures of drawing” in these works. We encourage you to see the exhibition, Double Shadow, if you can but don't worry if not, there will still be lots to unpack.
In this event we hear from Stezaker and dive deeper into the pieces and process. In a relaxed and in-conversation approach, this will be a great oppportunity to ask questions and get involved in the discussion. We hope you will come away feeling inspired to be experimental.
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John Stezaker was born in London in 1949. His elegantly juxtaposed collages, created from images found in books, postcards and magazines, explore our relationship with the photographic image and create a frequent and surreal sense of overlap, both literal and conceptual, between our sense of the temporal and familiar.
Stezaker attended the Slade School of Art in London, graduating with a Higher Diploma in fine art in 1973 and becoming one of several early conceptual artists who in the 1970s reacted against the predominance of Pop Art at that time. His work is created using collage and appropriation of old photographs, film-stills and vintage press photographs which he re-assembles and slices to create new meaning.
Stezaker was senior tutor in Critical and Historical Studies at the Royal College of Art, London for many years until the mid-2000s when his work was rediscovered by collectors and gallerists. There followed several solo exhibitions including his acclaimed exhibition John Stezaker at the Whitechapel Gallery, London which toured to MUDAM, Luxembourg; Kemper Art Museum, St. Louis, USA and Friedrich Petzel Gallery, New York, USA. Other solo shows include One on One, at Tel Aviv Museum of Art; Nude and Landscape, at Petzel Gallery, New York (2013), Galerie Gisela Capitain, Cologne and Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum at Washington University, St. Louis, USA.
Stezaker’s extensive and world-wide group shows include Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; Arnolfini Gallery, Bristol (both in 1974); An Exhibition, at Camden Arts Centre, London (1984); Pictura Brittanica: Art from Britain (British Council), at Sydney Museum of Contemporary Art (1997); The British Art Show 5, at City Art Centre, Edinburgh (2000); Girls on Film, at Zwirner & Wirth, New York (2005) and Collage: The Unmonumental Picture, at New Museum, New York, USA (2008).
John Stezaker lives and works in the south of England where he is represented by The Approach Gallery.
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Who is this event for?
This event is open to all. It’s particularly aimed at photographers and photographic artists who are interested in John Stezaker's new work at the Approach Gallery. However, this is a great opporunity to hear about Stezaker's work and come away feeling inspired.
When?
This event takes place on Tuesday, 26th April; 1pm - 2pm.
Where?
Online! You will need an internet connection and a computer, smartphone or tablet. This event takes place over Zoom. It uses the meeting format so you can join in the conversation if you like, but can also keep your camera and microphone off.
Tickets
Tickets are free and you can sign up below to come along virtually to the talk on the 26th April; 1pm - 2pm. Please consider making a donation at the time you book as this helps us to put on more such events.