1

ARTIST’S OPPORTUNITY – BOROUGH ROAD GALLERY RESIDENCY 2014/15 Information and Application Guidelines

1. About Borough Road Gallery Borough Road Gallery is based at London South Bank University, three floors down from the life drawing studios where the celebrated British artist and teacher, David Bomberg, taught his legendary art classes in the 1940s and 50s (when the University was known as Borough Polytechnic). Bomberg was considered a maverick and uncompromising teacher. Inspired by “the belief that there is in nature a truth and realism which the usual contemporary approach to painting is unable to convey” Bomberg’s classes focused on capturing the essence of what was being drawn or painted, or “the spirit in the mass”, and utilised unconventional methods. His classes were unique within the Polytechnic (which mainly focused on vocational courses at that time and was not part of the art establishment) and were also radically different from art classes elsewhere. David Bomberg’s approach influenced a generation of artists. His students included Frank Auerbach, Leon Kossoff, and Gustav Metzger as well as those who became known as the ‘Borough Group’. Auerbach later described his teacher as “probably the most original, stubborn, radical intelligence that was be found in art schools.” Borough Road Gallery opened in June 2012, with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Its exhibition and public programme uses A David Bomberg Legacy – The Sarah Rose Collection as a resource and inspiration. This collection of paintings, prints, and drawings was gifted to the University by the London-based collector, Sarah Rose. It includes over 150 works by David Bomberg and some of the Borough Group: Dennis Creffield, Cliff Holden, Edna Mann, Dorothy Mead, and Miles Richmond. These artists were amongst Bomberg’s most committed students. Five exhibitions have been held to date, animated by talks, newly commissioned texts, workshops and events by artists, art historians, curators, writers, and thinkers, as well as new oral history recordings and a growing Digital Archive. The Gallery’s programme recognises the historical significance of the collection, whilst aiming to firmly relate this back to contemporary narratives and preoccupations, and to engage broad audiences. More information on past exhibitions and events can be found on the Gallery website: 1Twww.boroughroadgallery.co.uk1T

The Gallery is part of London South Bank University’s multi-disciplinary School of Creative Arts and Industries, which runs courses ranging from creative writing, drama, and performance to digital photography, film and video, music and sonic media. It plays an important role with staff and students as a source of inspiration and a teaching and learning

2

resource, including through co-developed events, curator-led lectures and classes, student commissions, and placements. The School also houses the Centre for Media & Culture Research, (which, through a collaboration with the Gallery, recently funded a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship that looked at the history of David Bomberg’s teaching), is home to the British Youth Opera, and has a separate Digital Gallery (that shows work by staff and students as well as being a location for Borough Road Gallery film screenings and events), several lecture theatres, and an 80+ seat theatre with accompanying rehearsal spaces. The School of Law and Social Sciences is also located in the same building as the Gallery (including, Sociology, Politics and Criminology), and the curatorial programme to date has invited contributions from teaching and research staff across LSBU, such as a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, a Professor of Psychology, and a Reader in History.

At the same time, the gallery contributes to the growing cultural quarter of Bankside and Elephant and Castle, in south London, including participating in South London Art Map’s SLAM Fridays and developing partnerships and strong relationships with other local galleries and education institutions. Galleries and arts organisations within 3-10 minutes walking distance include ASC Gallery and Studios, Jerwood Space, Siobhan Davies Studios, Imperial War Museum, Morley Gallery, Tate Modern, Hotel Elephant, Copperfield Gallery, and the Art Academy. Tate Britain is a direct bus ride away, as is the Drawing Room and other galleries in Bermondsey.

2. About the Residency Programme 2.1 Overview Borough Road Gallery is inviting proposals from UK-based visual artists of any discipline to apply for a three-month residency from 1 December 2014 to 28 February 2015, to be followed by a related exhibition in 2015. The residency will be at the centre of the Gallery’s programme for Winter 2014/15. This will focus on considering Bomberg's legacy and influence beyond that of the artists in A David Bomberg Legacy - The Sarah Rose Collection and, in particular, will seek to make further links between the history of (and work in) the collection and contemporary artistic practice. The artist in residence will use the collection as a point of departure and inspiration. During the residency, the Gallery will be divided to make two spaces: a display of works from the collection and an artist’s studio. Visitors will be invited in to see collection works and, periodically, to visit the studio of the artist and see and hear about their research and development and any resulting work. The follow-up exhibition will incorporate work made by the artist as a result of the residency, whilst also in some way including elements of the collection (to be agreed between the artist and the Borough Road Gallery Curator).

3

Artists applying for this opportunity do not necessarily need to have prior knowledge of the work of David Bomberg or the Borough Group before beginning the residency. However, those applying must demonstrate an enthusiasm and genuine interest in considering the work and/or context of the collection as a starting point for new work. In addition, we would encourage applications from those interested in making the most of the opportunity to make links internally and externally. Bomberg was passionate about the importance of art within society and about supporting artists in their careers. The residency will continue his legacy by supporting the development of contemporary artists and art practice. It recognises the importance of giving time for artistic research and development and offers the Gallery, the University, and the surrounding creative district, as a rich and dynamic context in which to work. There are a wide range of people, organisations, and resources that could be drawn upon as part of the research and development process (please see section 2.3 below for more details). The residency also recognises the importance of enabling the production of new work for public exhibition and presentation – something a number of the artists in the collection, including Bomberg, would have benefited from receiving more of in their lifetimes. Coming at a relatively early stage in Borough Road Gallery’s existence, this first residency is an exciting opportunity for an artist to work with a collection that has only been public since Summer 2012. By gathering alternative perspectives, encouraging creative and imaginative responses, opening up new and unexpected conversations, and presenting fresh work and ideas, it is hoped that Gallery audiences will also greatly benefit by being offered the opportunity to engage with, understand, and enjoy the collection in different ways. There are a range of areas that Borough Road Gallery is interested in and which artists applying for this opportunity might wish to explore. These include: the broader context of art school education now and the changes related to the amalgamation of the art school into the University system (recent research into art school history includes Tate’s Art School Educated and the ICA’s ‘Just What Is It…’ conference earlier this year), contemporary painting, the position of artists working outside the establishment, the role of mentor, artist collectives, and the broad range of artists that Bomberg taught and whose lives and practice he influenced. However, these are only offered as potential routes in, and the opportunity is left open. 2.2 Offer The selected artist/s will receive:

• access to A David Bomberg Legacy – The Sarah Rose Collection • a bursary of £3000 (incl VAT) • the use of half of Borough Road Gallery as a studio space* during University

opening hours, from 1 December 2014 until 28 February 2015, except for Sundays and Christmas closure: 20 December 2014-5 January 2015 (see Gallery diagram in section 9)

4

• access to LSBU facilities such as office equipment (e.g. Mac computer, Wi-Fi

etc.), the Perry Library, the LSBU Archive, and bookable spaces such as audio and digital editing suites, lecture rooms, rehearsal spaces, carpentry workshops, the Digital Gallery

• the opportunity to have a follow-up exhibition in 2015 stemming from the residency and incorporating some elements of the collection

• up to £800 towards production costs for new work for the follow-up exhibition

• mentoring and support from Borough Road Gallery’s Curator and further support from the Assistant Curator (while we do not provide full-time artistic assistance, the residency programme offers a strong level of administrative and creative support, and Gallery staff may assist with sourcing materials, offering art historical and local knowledge, contacts and creative input)

• up to £200 towards travel (accommodation is not included) *N.B. the studio space will be located in the Gallery and therefore does not include a sink, workspace for carpentry, ceramics, welding et cetera. Applicants should also be aware that whilst the studio space will be behind a temporary wall, and only open to the public at set times, it will still be part of a public space where part of the collection will be hung as a resource for the residency artist as well as to ensure that part of the collection is always on show to visitors. Therefore, due care and attention will need to be paid to health and safety and shortlisted artists may need to undertake a risk assessment, depending on their practice. The use of flammable or toxic materials will not be possible. 2.3 Resources There are a range of resources that could be drawn upon for the purposes of the residency, depending on your practice. These include:

• paintings and drawings in the collection • works by David Bomberg and other artists in the nearby collections at Tate, Imperial

War Museum, and Morley College, as well as UCL Museum and Gallery • oral history accounts of what it was like to be taught by Bomberg at Borough

Polytechnic in the 1940s and 50s, available in the Borough Road Gallery Digital Archive and the British Library

• photographs, notes, exhibition catalogues and other archival material, available in the Borough Road Gallery Digital Archive, the LSBU Archive, and the Tate Library and Archive

• the expertise of Borough Road Gallery staff • the potential to engage with expertise from across the University and particularly

within the School of Arts and Creative Industries. We would also encourage making the most of the opportunity to make links with other artists, organisations, students and arts professionals in London as a means of establishing a mutual exchange of ideas.

5

2.4 Outputs The expected outputs of the residency include:

• taking part in a SLAM Fridays event at the end of November 2014, by giving a short, introductory artist talk about your practice

• taking part in at least one open studio event as part of the Gallery’s public programme

• enabling possible studio visits by LSBU student groups and others, to be scheduled and agreed with the Curator

• creating a new body of work based on your residency experience/research • taking part in the exhibition, as outlined above

3. Selection Process The artist will be selected from an open call, shortlisted by a panel, and interviewed. Borough Road Gallery, its employees or agents, including members of the selection panel, cannot enter into discussions or correspondence concerning any aspects of the selection process and the decisions of the selection panel are final. 4. Panel The 2014 residency will be judged by a selection panel comprised of curator Jeni Walwin (independent curator/Chair of the Board, The Drawing Room), artist Jo Joelson (London Fieldworks), at least one member of the Borough Road Gallery Exhibitions Advisory Group, and the Borough Road Gallery Curator, Rachel Fleming-Mulford.

Interviews will be held by the Curator and at least one member of the Advisory Group.

5. Borough Road Gallery Exhibitions Advisory Group The Borough Road Gallery Advisory Group consists of Andrew Dewdney (Gallery Academic Director and Professor of Educational Development at LSBU), Honor Beddard (Curator, Wellcome Collection), Ceri Lewis (Managing Curator: Artist Rooms, Tate) and Victoria Walsh (Head of Programme, Curating Contemporary Art, The Royal College of Art)

6. Eligibility Criteria The residency is open to visual artists:

• with a fine art practice, working with painting, sculpture, print-making, fine art photography, installation, performance, multi-media, video, digital or time-based work

• who can demonstrate an enthusiasm and genuine interest in considering the work and/or context of the collection as a starting point for new work

• who are prepared to work within the studio specifications outlined in sections 2.2 and 9

• who are prepared to take part in all of the expected outputs/activities outlined in section 2.4

6

• who are British citizens (i.e. entitled to a United Kingdom passport) or have

been a resident in the UK for at least 2 years and are eligible to work here (applicants can live anywhere within the UK, however accommodation costs cannot be reimbursed)

• who are not in formal education during the course of the residency period • who are able to demonstrate a commitment to pursuing a career as a

practising artist • who are able to take-up and make good use of the studio and the residency

opportunity (including during Borough Road Gallery opening times) throughout the residency period

• who have completed the application form in full • who are able to attend an interview on 29 October 2014 and start the

residency from 1 December 2014. Applications from artist collectives may be considered, however, please note the specifications of the studio space. 7. Application Please read the eligibility criteria and application guidelines carefully before completing your application form. Please note that applications not adhering to these cannot be considered. Application is via email using the Residency Application Form, available at: 1Twww.boroughroadgallery.co.uk/borough-road-gallery-artist-residency-2014/1T Please send your completed applications to Jennifer Boyd (Gallery Volunteer Coordinator & Assistant Curator) at boydj3@lsbu.ac.uk with the subject line ‘Residency Application’. To submit a hard copy application, please send it to Jennifer Boyd, Borough Road Gallery, 103 Borough Road, SE1 0AA. We are unable to return hard copy applications. Queries about the residency or application process may be sent to Jennifer Boyd at the same email address. We anticipate a high volume of applications; please help us by keeping your application brief whilst ensuring all relevant information is included, and by adhering to the application format. 8. Schedule The timeline for applications is as follows:

Monday 20 October, 6pm – deadline for applications Wednesday 29 October – Interviews for shortlisted artists Friday 28 November – Artist introductory talk as part of November SLAM Fridays Monday 1 December – Residency begins Monday 1 December 2014-Saturday 28 February 2015 – Residency period

Borough Road Gallery, London South Bank University, 103 Borough Road, London, SE1 0AA 1Twww.boroughroadgallery.co.uk1T

Studio Space

Gallery Space

6.96m11

.11m

3.45m 2.36m

Gallery Reception

The studio space contains two large windows providing natural light (these cannot be opened due to conservation restrictions; window blinds may be opened or closed); electric spotlights, two radiators

(which cannot be on a high temperature due to conservation restric-tions), ten plugsockets, workbench table, Mac desktop computer,

Wi-Fi access and a fixed projector.

5.23m

6.02m

9. Gallery Diagram