Creativity is a virtue in a world that is constantly pushing for the next quickest way to attain our wildest desires. Our increasingly digital world, full of AI art and technological advances inadvertently disavows the precious qualities that accompany slow-burn and by-hand artistic practices. There’s much to be said about the pathways, and rather roadblocks, that creatives inevitably encounter whilst on the pathway to gaining recognition for their craft. The Tyburn Foundation is revolutionarily pushing for slowness as a springboard for creation. The foundation seeks to redefine an understanding of pace, as a means of establishing intentionality in the artistic sphere. The not-for-profit programme is focused on uplifting contemporary African artists through various residencies, partnerships, and exhibitions. The project is positioned to debut this spring.
In order to build the necessary relationships artists need to excel in their respective fields, the institution has focused on collaboration as a starting point. Focusing on community, the programme directly highlights the development of tangible skills through creative exchange, and skill share. In support of the artists within the residency the foundation aims to facilitate tactile relationships and transferable expertise which will allow the residents to attain further forward movement once their time at the residency has ended. Instead of exclusively focusing on in-the-moment development of each artist, the foundation is focused on longer-term commitment.
The Tyburn Gallery has always bolstered a reputation for nurturing artists and assisting in their longer-term development. Emma Menell, Founding Director, was born in Johannesburg South Africa, specialising in constitutional law and working as an editor for the South African Journal of Human Rights. Her work came to a head in 2015 when she founded Tyburn Gallery in the heart of London, with the purpose of uplifting talent and building community. Alessandra Olivi is the foundation’s programme director. Born in Umbria, earning an MA in Contemporary Art Theory from Goldsmiths, she held leadership positions at the Tyburn Gallery, making the duo well positioned to spearhead the project taking place in Umbria, Italy.
Known for its iconic festivals, mountain cresting towns, and ancient heritage, the natural intrigue of this region speaks for itself. Rolling hills of spring offer up a meditation on the changing of seasons, whilst sunflowers engulf the landscape – embracing visitors in a bright, energized glow. Olive and grape harvests arrive in the winter, the area understood to rival its stunning neighbour, Tuscany. Earthen beauty aside, Umbria is rich with art history as highly regarded artists like Giotto and Cimabue run parallel to the gorgeous landscape.
Renaissance artworks are plentiful throughout, though it’s worth noting that contemporary artists have equally thrived in the region. These artistic overlaps make Umbria an obvious landing point for the residency, allowing artists to slowly dig into their practice. The overarching goal being to meditate on their next collections, collaboratively ebbing and flowing within the surrounding landscape. The foundation is dedicated to an intentional engagement with its’ residents which is often lost in commercial contexts. Instead of working toward a wider output, energy is placed on the fine-tuning of one’s personal creative practise.
The inaugural programme is sectioned across various partnerships, offering unique benefits for each of the selected artists. Spreading the breadth of six transformative weeks, the Civitella Ranieri Partnership will be taking place in a 15th-century castle welcoming the artists to Italy. The Bridge Visual Arts Residency is taking place in Zimbabwe, assisting artists through a hands on printmaking mentorship, beginning in May this year. Additionally, the La Foce Residency is the dedicated Tyburn residency space in Umbria, providing space and tactical steps for the artists to “develop a major public art project”. Finally, these collaborations will converge ahead of the Annual International Exhibition. Platforming each of the artists on a global stage, the Tyburn foundation is set to continue its long established legacy of brandishing African artists beginning in 2015, ten years later.
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Words: Lauren Bulla